Cambodia & Economy : Significant increase in container traffic in Sihanoukville

The number of containers transiting through the Autonomous Port of Sihanoukville (PAS) in the third quarter (Q3) of the year reached almost 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), an increase of almost 40% compared with Q3 2023.

According to the PAS report (Q3 2024), container throughput totalled 283,918 TEUs, an increase of 76,011, equivalent to an increase of 36.56% compared with Q3 2023

In Q3, the port recorded revenues of 120 billion riel (approximately $30 million), an increase of 27% compared to Q3 2023.

At the end of Q3, PAS also inaugurated a new container terminal equipped with modern lifting equipment. The new terminal represents a major upgrade for a 350-metre quay that was built in 1969.

Construction of the 1st phase of a new deep-water container port began last December and is due to be completed by 2025. With a length of 350 metres and a depth of 14.50 metres, it will enable the largest container ships, with a capacity of up to 60,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT) (around 4,000 TEUs), to dock at the port.

The project is scheduled for completion in mid-2027. The port's annual container handling capacity will reach 1,250,000 TEUs when the new terminal comes on stream.

Statistics from the General Department of Customs and Excise reveal that from January to October 2024, Cambodia's total trade volume with all partner countries reached $45.06 billion, up 16.5% on the same period in 2023, which stood at $38.67 billion. Of this total, exports were valued at 21.57 billion dollars, up 16%, while imports totalled 23.49 billion dollars, an increase of 16.5%.