Sihanoukville Autonomous Port

Why this port matters

Cambodia's only deep-water seaport is the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, in the southwest of the country on the Gulf of Thailand. Water here is deep enough for large ocean-going ships to tie up safely, which is why most of the kingdom's international sea trade goes through this one site.

For anyone living in or travelling through Kampot, it is the nearest major commercial harbour, and much of what arrives in the region by sea comes in through it.

What moves through the docks

Exports leaving Cambodia include:

• clothing
• shoes
• farm products

Coming in are building materials, fuel and cars. Factories in the area use the port to reach overseas buyers, and the traffic keeps trucking firms, logistics companies and office staff in work. That flow of goods is a large part of why Sihanoukville grew into a business centre.

Facilities and services

The port is divided into zones by cargo type. Some areas deal with steel containers, others with liquids or heavy machinery. A tax-free trade zone sits close by, which lets companies clear goods faster and at lower cost. Management aims to keep loading and unloading free of long delays, and security is treated as a priority to protect cargo.

Growth and expansion

The port began as a small pier, built so that Cambodia would have its own access to the sea, and has since become a large industrial hub with modern container-handling equipment. Growth has tracked the rise in Cambodian exports.

Work continues. Projects are deepening the water so that the largest ships can call, and there are plans for more docks and bigger storage areas. The new expressway to the capital gives cargo a faster road link across the country, helping the port compete with others in Southeast Asia.

Seeing the port as a visitor

The port is a secure industrial zone, so it is not a place for casual wandering. Tall cranes and large ships are still easy to spot from the nearby coastal roads. Tip: view it from outside the perimeter and use the map link below to get your bearings.