A machine loads containers onto trucks at Phnom Penh Autonomous Port. PPAP
A steady rise in domestic demand for goods and exports drove a more than 30% increase in the amount of cargo that passed through Phnom Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP) in the first two months of 2025.
Experts in the transportation sector are optimistic that this positive trend will continue.
PPAP, which is listed on the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX), released a March 11 statement that outlined the progress made so far in 2025.
In the first two months of 2025, a total of 587 cargo vessels passed through, a 30.16% increase over the same period in 2024.
Meanwhile, he port processed 77,288 twenty-foot container equivalent units (TEUs), a 30.61% increase. The volume of cargo and fuel handled also rose 36.31%, reaching 833,628 tonnes.
The statement added that in addition to cargo vessels, PPAP received 94 passenger ships, a drop of 1.05%, but the number of passengers increased to 10,019, a 9.31% rise.
Chea Chandara, president of the Cambodia Freight Transport and Supply Chain Association, told The Post that global economic growth and industrial production in Cambodia have increased demand for goods, both domestically and internationally.
He explained that the rise in the number of ships and containers passing through PPAP was due to the ongoing development and construction of more cargo docks and storage facilities, which has enhanced the reliability of transportation for goods owners.
Shipping goods by water is cheaper compared to other methods and can handle larger volumes, he noted.
Chandara also pointed out that the number of ships and cargo passing through Phnom Penh Port would continue to rise with the completion of the planned Sihanoukville Port project.
“The number of vessels and containers passing through PPAS will continue to increase. This growth reflects the progress in the maritime transport sector in Cambodia as well as the overall national economic growth,” he said.
On March 1, during a recent visit to PPAP's headquarters, Hei Bavy, chair and CEO of the port, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on future collaborations with Saigon Port and Hau Giang Port.
Kong Channy PPAP secretariat manager, recently shared his belief that PPAP’s operations will see even more significant growth in the future.
PPAP recently submitted a proposal to the government on the opening of seven additional port locations.
The proposed facilities will be in Kampong Chhnang province (2 sites), Kandal (2 sites), Siem Reap, Kampong Cham and Kratie.
Currently, PPAP has seven port locations, including three in Phnom Penh, two in Kandal province, and one each in Prey Veng and Tbong Khmum. Each of them plays a crucial role in transporting agricultural products, as well as heavy goods.
In 2024, PPAP earned approximately $41 million in revenue, a 21% increase over 2023, while container throughput grew by nearly 500,000 TEUs.
