PHNOM PENH: Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS), Cambodia's key international port, is experiencing a significant revenue increase in the first four months of 2024. A PAS report released on Monday revealed a 24.4% jump in revenue compared to the same period in 2023, reaching US$35.2 million.

The report also highlighted a 24% increase in cargo throughput, with the port handling 296,685 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in the first four months, compared to 239,273 TEUs in 2023.

Analysts attribute this growth to several factors. Cambodia's continued economic strength, particularly in tourism and garment manufacturing, is seen as a major driver, leading to a rise in imports and exports that keeps the port busy.

The recent completion of a new container terminal at PAS is another contributing factor. This expansion allows the port to handle larger vessels and increased cargo volume, potentially attracting new business and boosting revenue.

PAS, the country's sole deep-sea port, has ambitious plans for further development. By 2026, a new 350-meter long, 14.5-meter deep container terminal with a capacity of 1.45 million TEUs per year is expected to be completed. Further phases will be implemented in 2028 and 2029, ultimately raising the port's capacity to over 2.67 million TEUs per year.

To support this initiative, Cambodia has requested Japan to expedite a feasibility study for transforming PAS into a major regional port and logistics hub by 2050. This upgrade is seen as a key driver for Cambodia's future economic growth.

Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is the main deep sea port of the Kingdom of Cambodia covering approximately 125 ha of total land area. PAS, which is the only deep sea port situated in the Bay of Kompong Som (Sihanoukville), facilitates maritime transport, thereby obtaining such natural advantages as deep sea water, a string of islands to protect strong wind and tidal wave, and lies in the location that does not require permanent dredging of navigational channels.