[210618.EN.BIZ] New Multipurpose Terminal in Port Sihanoukville to Open Soon

CAMBODIA's only deep-sea port Sihanoukville is to launch its new multipurpose terminal on June 25 that will be able to accommodate larger vessels, according to chairman and CEO of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS), Lou Kim Chhun.

The inauguration ceremony will be presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen, reports Spain's Port Today citing The Phnom Penh Post.

The new facility will have a berth of 330 metres with depth alongside of 13.5 metres and will be able to load shipments weighing in the range of 40,000-50,000 tonnes, which is more than twice the limit of existing terminals.

"As the terminal at the sea port is deeper and can handle bigger vessels with heavier loads, sea transportation costs will become cheaper," the CEO said, adding that the cost of the project was "more than US$70 million."

PAS began the construction in early 2015 using a soft loan from the Japanese development agency JICA, with the focus on dry bulk agricultural exports, such as dried tapioca and milled rice.

Cambodia Freight Forwarders Association (CFFA) president Sin Chanthy said that the new facility at the port of Sihanoukville will contribute to a greater level of competitiveness in exporting goods and will ease congestion at the port as well as the work of freight forwarders. He noted: "With the new terminal becoming operational, large vessels will make up a larger part of the traffic. Goods will be delivered on time in a shorter period which will strengthen the business's competitiveness."

The state-owned PAS also unveiled plans late last year to build a new container terminal as part of its expansion project. The Port Authority signed an agreement for a low-interest loan of some US$209 million for this development that is scheduled to start by early 2019 and to be completed by the end of 2022. The new container facility will be equipped with a 350-metre quay with a depth of 14.5 meters and will increase the port's current annual capacity of about 400,000 TEU to over 700,000 TEU.

The existing container capacities are expected to be exhausted by 2023.

Source : HKSG.