MGR Online — Cambodia has received an additional loan of $114 million (approximately 3.78 billion baht) from the Japanese government to develop a new container terminal at Sihanoukville deep-sea port, according to reports by Cambodian media.
Cambodia's Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an agreement on the second-phase loan for the project to develop a new container terminal at Sihanoukville deep-sea port. The project aims to upgrade maritime infrastructure by constructing a 350-metre container berth with a water depth of 14.5 metres.
In addition, the development project will also involve the procurement of container-handling equipment as well as the establishment of maintenance facilities, which are expected to enhance the efficiency of the logistics network and facilitate trade.
Japan stated that the loan is part of Japan's official development assistance to Cambodia.
Cambodia's Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its support of Cambodia's development, which aligns with the country's Pentagonal Strategy for national development, and said that this additional loan reflects the long-standing friendship and strong development cooperation between the two countries in support of Cambodia's economic growth and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, a report by Nikkei Asia noted that since the closure of overland trade routes between Thailand and Cambodia, Sihanoukville deep-sea port has taken on an increasingly important role as a transportation route for foreign companies — particularly Japanese businesses that have established companies and production bases in Cambodia with supply chains linked to Thailand — which have had to shift their cargo transportation into Thailand from overland routes to sea routes.
