Sihanoukville Autonomous Port: Cambodia's Premier Deep Water Gateway
The Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS), known in Khmer as កំពង់ផែស្វយ័តក្រុងព្រះសីហនុ, serves as the critical maritime lifeline for Cambodia. Located on the Bay of Kampong Som within the Gulf of Thailand, it stands as the country's sole deep water port, facilitating the vast majority of the nation's international trade and industrial logistics.
Established to connect Cambodia with global markets, the port has evolved from a modest jetty into a sophisticated state corporation. Owned by the Royal Government of Cambodia, PAS operates as a government agency that manages the complex infrastructure required to handle modern shipping demands.
Historical Development and Infrastructure
The foundations of the port were laid in 1955 with the construction of the Old Jetty's four berths, leading to the port's official inauguration in 1960. The early engineering was a significant feat for the era; the original pier, laid in 1958, utilized 137 pre-stressed concrete beams. Each beam weighed approximately 90 tons and measured 35 meters in length. Due to the difficulty of maneuvering these massive components, a dedicated small railway was constructed specifically to transport them from the assembly site.
As trade volumes grew, the Cambodian government expanded the facility. In 1966, a new 350-meter quay was constructed with a maximum draft—the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull—of -10.5 meters. This expansion allowed the port to accommodate larger vessels, with the quay currently supporting three ships with a -7 meter draft.
Modern Expansion and Capacity
To meet the demands of global containerization, PAS completed a major upgrade in March 2007. This project included a 400-meter long Container Terminal with a depth of -10.5 meters and a dedicated container yard spanning 6.5 hectares.
Today, the port features nine berths available for medium-sized ships, supporting a maximum draft of 8.5 meters. The total length of the berths is 1,330 meters, operating within a tidal variation of 1.4 meters.
Operational Governance and Economic Impact
The Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is managed by a board of directors appointed by various government ministries, currently led by Chairman and CEO Lou Kim Chhun. With a workforce of over 1,000 employees, the port is a major employer and economic driver in the region.
PAS has strategically expanded its influence over Cambodia's logistics chain. In 2003, the port acquired the remaining 70% of the Cambodia CWT Dry Port near Phnom Penh. Having previously held a 30% share, this acquisition made PAS the sole proprietor of the dry port, streamlining the movement of goods from the coast to the capital.
Further integrating into the formal financial sector, the port became a listed company on the Cambodia Securities Exchange in June 2017.
Key Facts
- Location: Bay of Kampong Som, Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
- Status: Cambodia's only deep water port.
- Infrastructure: 9 berths with a total length of 1,330 meters.
- Max Draft: 8.5 meters for medium ships.
- Land Area: 125 hectares.
- Ownership: Royal Government of Cambodia.
- Key Asset: Sole proprietor of the Cambodia CWT Dry Port.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| UNCTAD Code | KHKOS |
| Year Opened | 1960 |
| Total Berths | 9 |
| Container Yard Size | 6.5 hectares |
| Tidal Variation | 1.4 meters |
| Workforce | 1,000+ employees |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port?
It is a state-owned corporation and government agency that operates Cambodia's only deep water port, located in Sihanoukville on the Bay of Kampong Som.
When was the port established?
Construction on the initial berths began in 1955, and the port was officially inaugurated in 1960.
What is the maximum draft available at the port?
The port has nine berths for medium ships with a maximum draft of 8.5 meters, while specific quays have historically reached depths of -10.5 meters.
Does PAS manage any other facilities?
Yes, PAS is the sole proprietor of the Cambodia CWT Dry Port located near Phnom Penh, following a full acquisition completed in 2003.
Is the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port a public company?
Yes, the port became a listed company on the Cambodia Securities Exchange in June 2017.