State-owned Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) launched its multipurpose terminal on Monday, which was praised by a government official as a way for the country to export faster and more efficiently.

The $74 million Japan-backed terminal will provide an additional 330 metres for ship docking and is able to accommodate larger vessels with its 13.5-metre depth, according to the Minister for Public Works and Transportation, Sun Chanthol.

At the inauguration, attended by Prime Minister Hun Sen, Chanthol said the terminal is a key water gateway for the country’s agricultural products to be exported to the international market.

“As it is linked to major roads and also improves port capacity, it will make Sihanoukville port play a more important role in speeding up the delivery of goods as well as boost competitiveness between Cambodia and neighbouring countries,” he said.

The terminal will facilitate 70 percent of imports and exports coming through the Kingdom and is able to load shipments weighing 40,000-50,000 tonnes. This is more than twice the limit of the existing terminals, Chanthol said.https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/sihanoukville-port-kicks-use-new-terminal