SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia — During a special gathering at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Prime Minister Hun Manet outlined ambitious plans for the port's transformation into a major regional port and logistics hub by 2050. The announcement was made as part of the celebrations for the 138th International Labour Day on May 1, under the theme "One Enterprise as One Peaceful Community."

Prime Minister Manet emphasized that the port sector remains a high priority for the Royal Government of Cambodia, which continues to increase investment and mobilize financing to enhance the port's infrastructure. Described as a key economic gateway, the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is pivotal in supporting Cambodia’s international trade activities and is expected to drive economic growth not only locally but throughout the entire coastal region.

Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport, provided details on the expansion plans, which include the construction of a new deep container terminal. The project's phase 2, measuring 400 meters in length and 16.5 meters in depth, and phase 3, extending 430 meters with a depth of 17.5 meters, will be equipped with state-of-the-art technical facilities.

The construction of the 350-meter-long and 14.5-meter-deep container terminal phase 1 began in December 2023 under the joint supervision of Prime Minister Hun Manet and Ishibashi Rintaro, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. Funded by a US$243 million ODA loan from the Government of Japan, this project is expected to significantly enhance the port’s capacity. Upon completion, the new terminal will handle 93 percent of regional vessels, a substantial increase from the current 18 percent, and reduce sea freight costs by US$200 per TEU, aligning with costs in other regional countries.