PHNOM PENH: The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Senior Minister Sun Chanthol, has confirmed that the Ministry is currently studying the implementation of new water transport projects on the Bassac river, to transport goods from Phnom Penh to the ports in Kampot and Sihanoukville to help reduce time and costs.

Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official opening of two new landfills in Pursat and Kampong Chhnang provinces on Wednesday morning, 22 February 2023, Senior Minister Sun Chanthol confirmed that the Ministry is currently studying what transportation options are possible utilizing the Bassac river, while all goods transported by water currently only utilize the Mekong River and are first sent to Phnom Penh before being transported to other provinces.

"We are studying a second option to reduce the time and cost of shipping from Phnom Penh to the international ports of Kampot or Sihanoukville," he said. "If we can do this, it will be a historic project that has never been done on our territory, and will reduce time, costs and all other procedures involved."

According to the Senior Minister, the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is being expanded to include a 14-meter-deep water port that will allow large ships to dock. After the completion of this project, the Ministry will further expand the port to a depth of 16 and a half meters and 17 and a half meters, which will allow large ships from the United States and Europe to also dock.