Construction of Phase 1 of the deepwater container terminal at Cambodia's Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is continuing to advance. By the end of September 2026, the project was 77.15% complete and is expected to be finished in 2027. Backed by a concessional loan from Japan, the project is an important infrastructure undertaking aimed at enhancing Cambodia's maritime capacity and improving logistics efficiency.
The Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is Cambodia's only international deepwater seaport and a key gateway for the country's import and export trade. The port currently has a water depth of about 13.5 meters, which makes it difficult for some large cargo ships to berth directly, adding constraints to maritime shipping. The deepwater port expansion will gradually increase the port's capacity to accommodate larger vessels.
According to the plan, the expansion will be implemented in three phases. Phase 1, scheduled for completion in 2027, will have a design berth depth of 14.5 meters, with a design vessel size of 60,000 deadweight tons (DWT). Phase 2, scheduled for completion in 2029, will have a design berth depth of 16.5 meters. Phase 3, expected to be completed in 2030, will have a design berth depth of 17.5 meters to meet the berthing needs of even larger cargo ships.
Japan is an important financing partner for the project. Previously, Japan provided a concessional loan of about US$300 million to support Phase 1. In July this year, Cambodia and Japan signed related documents, with Japan providing an additional concessional loan of about US$119 million as additional financing for the first-stage new container terminal development project.
As the expansion progresses, Sihanoukville's container throughput capacity is expected to further increase, helping Cambodia improve cargo transport efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and strengthen maritime links with regional and international markets.
The Cambodian government considers the deepwater port construction strategically significant for the country's economic development. In the future, with the completion of the three phases, Sihanoukville Port is expected to become more attractive to international shipping companies and investors, further enhancing Cambodia's competitiveness in regional shipping and global supply chains.
