A BUSINESS-SERVICE performance report from the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP), submitted to the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) on December 11, shows that from January to November, the total number of cargo vessels handled by the port was 4,644, an increase of 27.64 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

Meanwhile, the total number of containers processed reached 436,839 TEU, up by 20.69 per cent, reports The Phnom Penh Post.

Similarly, the volume of cargo and gas-fuel handled was 4,366,589 tonnes, an increase of 16.01 per cent. Additionally, PPAP also welcomed 633 passenger vessels, an increase of 25.35 per cent, and 32,850 passengers, a rise of 47.17 per cent.

For November alone, the number of cargo vessels handled was 247, up by 38.76 per cent compared to November 2023.

The number of containers processed in November reached 35,588 TEU, up by 32.01 per cent, while the cargo and gas-fuel volume stood at 400,970 tonnes, up by 29.27 per cent.

Sam Soknoeun, chairman of the Board of SAM SN Group, recently led a delegation of five local and international companies to meet with Sun Chanthol, first vice-chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), at the CDC headquarters.

He told The Post that Cambodia is entering a "golden era" of development across all sectors. He stated that shipping through PPAP would become even busier once the Funan Techo Canal project is completed.

He explained that waterway transportation offers significant cost advantages compared to other modes of transport, such as road and air. Lower shipping costs will enhance the competitiveness of Cambodian goods in international markets.

"In the future, waterway transportation in Cambodia will become increasingly busy, especially in areas near the Funan Techo Canal project. The canal will become a vital shipping route linking the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port with seaports in Preah Sihanouk and Kampot provinces, among others," he noted.

According to Mr Soknoeun, the five companies that met with the CDC leadership were from the US, Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as Cambodian company SAM SN GROUP. The firms are collaborating to study the feasibility of establishing a special economic zone near the Funan Techo Canal area and several other investment projects.