September 12, 2024 - Sihanoukville: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet underscored the significance of port development in enhancing Cambodia’s global competitiveness during the inauguration of the new container port at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port today.

At the ceremony, Hun Manet emphasized that the newly constructed port, extending 253 meters, will enhance the country's ability to attract larger cargo ships. "By deepening the port to 11.5 meters, we enable access for nearly half of the Asia-Pacific's largest vessels, significantly improving our global trade positioning," he said.

The expansion project, which began on May 1, 2023, includes state-of-the-art equipment such as two QGC container loading units and six RTG container handling machines. These upgrades are expected to boost the port’s capacity by approximately 450,000 TEUs per year. The additional container terminal will raise the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port’s total capacity from 550,000 to 1 million TEUs annually.

This development will allow larger vessels with drafts of up to 10.4 meters to dock, increasing the port's capability to handle a greater percentage of global and Asia-Pacific shipping traffic.

The $37.5 million project, funded by a combination of Japanese concessional loans, Sihanoukville Autonomous Port’s budget, and contributions from the Royal Government, was completed in August 2024. The expansion was managed by TOA Corporation of Japan, with technical oversight from Nippon Co., Ltd. and Oriental Consultants Global.

In the first seven months of 2024 alone, Sihanoukville Autonomous Port saw a notable 26.52% increase in transit goods, totaling approximately 5.7 million tons. Container volumes also surged by 26.18%, reaching over 570,000 TEUs, while business revenue grew by 26% to exceed $66 million, marking a record high.

This strategic investment in port infrastructure is poised to enhance Cambodia’s trade capacity and global economic standing.