In the first four months of 2025, Phnom Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP) handled approximately 156,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking a nearly 24% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The port accommodated 1,163 vessels during this timeframe, reflecting a 25% rise year-on-year. Cargo and fuel throughput reached close to 1.7 million tonnes, also up by 24%. Passenger traffic saw modest growth, with 171 vessels carrying about 18,000 passengers, an 8% increase from the previous year.(Cambodia Tribune)
April 2025 Performance
In April alone, PPAP received 266 vessels, up over 17% from April 2024. However, container throughput for the month was just over 34,000 TEUs, a 5% decrease year-on-year. Cargo and fuel volumes were nearly 400,000 tonnes, down approximately 4% compared to April 2024.
Infrastructure Developments
To accommodate growing demand, PPAP is expanding its Container Terminal LM17. The first phase of the fourth expansion stage has been completed, with plans to increase the terminal's capacity to 900,000 TEUs per year by 2027. Additionally, the LM26 multipurpose terminal is being converted to handle containers, aiming for an annual capacity of 300,000 TEUs.(ppap.com.kh, ppap.com.kh, Khmer Daily Cambodia News)
Strategic Importance
PPAP's growth underscores its role in Cambodia's logistics and trade sectors. The port's strategic location along the Mekong River facilitates efficient cargo movement between Phnom Penh and Vietnam, enhancing regional trade connectivity. Ongoing infrastructure upgrades are expected to further boost the port's capacity and operational efficiency.(ppap.com.kh)
Additional Context
In 2024, PPAP handled 480,200 TEUs, a 21.19% increase from the previous year. Cargo and gas-fuel shipments totaled 4.14 million tonnes, up 15.91%. The number of cargo vessels rose by 26.8% to 4,894, while passenger vessels increased by 24.8% to 708, carrying 36,150 passengers—a 43.73% rise compared to 2023. (Cambodia Tribune)
The port's expansion and modernization efforts are aligned with Cambodia's broader economic development goals, aiming to enhance trade efficiency and competitiveness in the region.
