PHNOM PENH, September 13, 2024 — Prime Minister Hun Manet has expressed his deep gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for their significant support in enhancing Cambodia's logistics sector, particularly through the upgrading of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) in Preah Sihanouk province.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the PAS’s new 253-meter container terminal, built with a loan from Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), Hun Manet highlighted the increased capacity of the port. He noted that PAS can now handle 38 percent of ships globally, compared to only 18 percent previously.
"Before, we could only manage 18 percent of ships here, while 82 percent had to be reloaded to other ships in Singapore or other ports. Now, we can handle up to 38 percent," the Prime Minister said.
Hun Manet also called on Japan to continue supporting further development of the port to enhance its accessibility and capacity in the future.
In his remarks, Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, Ueno Atsushi, reaffirmed Japan’s ongoing commitment to Cambodia’s development, particularly in the transport and logistics sectors.
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Peng Ponea, acknowledged Japan as one of Cambodia’s key partners in the development of PAS, including the construction of the new terminal.
PAS, Cambodia’s only international and commercial deep seaport, covers approximately 125 hectares and serves as a vital hub for maritime transport. The port benefits from its location in deep seawater, shielded by a string of islands from strong winds and tidal waves. Its navigational channels do not require constant dredging, adding to its operational efficiency.
Built in 1956, PAS has undergone continuous expansion with Japan's support. In 2023, the port handled nearly 800,000 TEUs, received 1,506 ships, and moved over 19 million tonnes of cargo, generating more than $95 million in revenue. In the first seven months of 2024, cargo throughput increased by 26.52 percent, reaching 5.7 million tonnes, while container volume exceeded 570,000 TEUs, generating over $66 million in revenue.
Looking ahead, Peng Ponea outlined a three-phase plan for PAS’s continued development. By 2026, the new container terminal, which will be 350 meters long and 14.5 meters deep, is expected to handle 1.45 million TEUs annually. The second and third phases are projected to boost PAS’s capacity to more than 2.67 million TEUs per year by 2030.
