Work starts on US$1.5 billion Cambodia port

Work has started on a US$1.5 billion port and logistics centre in southwest Cambodia. The project is a joint venture between the Shanghai Construction Group and the China Road and Bridge Corporation.

Ariel view of the container terminal of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (Photo: AdobeStock)

The port is being developed on a 600ha plot of land with a depth of 15m allowing it to deal with ships up to the 5,100-container Panamax class. It will be the third-largest port in Cambodia after Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh.

The project will be built over three phases across 15 years. The first phase sees US$200 million in investment with operations expected to start in 2025.

Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport, said at the groundbreaking ceremony, “This port will complement the work of the Preah Sihanouk and the Phnom Penh autonomous ports.

“Its location along the Bassac River means this port will play an important role in the transport of agricultural products across the country and to sell abroad.”