Phnom Penh-Kep Waterway Transport PPP project in Cambodia

project in planning

The project involves the construction of a direct waterway from Phnom Penh's Bassac river to the coastal port of Kep in Cambodia. The International Multi-Purpose Logistics and Port Centre broke ground in May on a 600-ha plot of seafront land with a water depth of 15m, in Prek Tnaot commune, Bokor town, Kampot. Once the waterway is completed, Cambodia can ship goods overseas without relying entirely on a port in Vietnam. The project will be a strategy to stimulate international trade and the economy of Cambodia as the waterway infrastructure connection will become a shortcut to Cambodia's deep-sea port — Ream in Sihanoukville — and a port in the Darasakor area of Koh Kong province.The canal would provide a capacity boost for the local logistics sector and improve the Kingdom’s international trade potential, especially on the export front. Delivery costs after the project implementation can be reduced to US$700-800 per container. A possible starting point for the waterway is southeastern Kandal's Prek Ambel village, where there is a branch at GPS coordinates (11.243N, 105.026E) that flows southwest. The port will receive ships with a displacement of up to 100,000 tons.