UN/LOCODE: KHKOS📍 Cambodia
Port of Kampong Saom (UN/LOCODE KHKOS)
❖ Coordinates: 10.6000°N, 103.5200°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Phnom_Penh
❖ UN/LOCODE: KHKOS
## About the Port
Kampong Saom (UN/LOCODE: **KHKOS**) is a strategically located maritime gateway on the Gulf of Thailand, falling within the **Preah Sihanouk** province of Cambodia. Situated at **10.6° N latitude and 103.52° E longitude**, the port operates on **Asia/Phnom Penh** time (UTC +7). Though modest in scale compared to regional giants, Kampong Saom serves as a critical link in Cambodia’s east‑west logistics chain, facilitating the movement of bulk commodities, containers, and project cargo for both domestic and trans‑ASEAN trade.
Key attributes that define Kampong Saom’s maritime profile include:
- **Deep‑water access** (draft up to 12 m at low tide) allowing Pan‑Pan and small‑Panamax vessels.
- **Proximity to the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (SAP)** – merely 5 km east – enabling coordinated handling of overflow traffic and specialized cargoes.
- **Integration with the National Road 4 (NR4) and the upcoming railway corridor** linking Phnom Penh to the Vietnamese border, offering multimodal connectivity.
These features make Kampong Saom a complementary node in Cambodia’s broader seaport network, supporting the country’s ambition to become a logistics hub for the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).
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## History
The origins of Kampong Saom trace back to the early 1970s when the Cambodian government identified the site as a prospective anchorage for fishing vessels and small cargo ships. However, the port’s modern development began in **1995** under a public‑private partnership (PPP) framework that attracted Japanese and South Korean investors seeking a foothold in the emerging Cambodian market.
- **1998‑2003:** Initial dredging works deepened the berthing channel to 9 m, and a basic quay was constructed to accommodate general cargo vessels up to 5 000 GT.
- **2007:** The port was formally recognized by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) and assigned the UN/LOCODE **KHKOS**, facilitating its inclusion in global shipping and customs databases.
- **2012‑2016:** A series of upgrades, financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), expanded berth length to 650 m, installed a 30‑tonne gantry crane, and introduced a computerized terminal operating system (TOS).
- **2021‑present:** The Cambodian government’s “**Sihanoukville Port Expansion Initiative**” earmarked Kampong Saom for further deepening (target draft 14 m) and the construction of a dedicated container yard, aligning the port with ASEAN’s Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC).
These milestones reflect a gradual transformation from a modest coastal dock to a modern, semi‑automated gateway capable of supporting diversified cargo streams.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Waterway
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| **Number of berths** | 3 (1 × 300 m, 2 × 175 m) |
| **Maximum vessel size** | Pan‑Pan (up to 15 000 GT) |
| **Draft** | 12 m (planned 14 m by 2025) |
| **Turning basin** | 250 m diameter |
All berths are equipped with **shore power supply (SPS)**, reducing emissions for docked vessels, and feature **tide‑controlled fender systems** for enhanced safety.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **1 × 30‑tonne RTG (Rubber‑Tyred Gantry) crane** (container handling)
- **2 × 25‑tonne mobile gantry cranes** for bulk and project cargo
- **4 × reach stackers** (0‑30 tonne) for yard operations
- **2 × heavy‑lift forklifts** (up to 60 tonne) for timber and steel
Advanced **Terminal Operating System (TOS)**, integrated with the National Customs Automation System (NCAS), provides real‑time vessel‑tracking, yard management, and electronic data interchange (EDI) with major shipping lines.
### Storage and Warehousing
- **Container yard:** 15 ha, capacity ≈ 30 000 TEU (planned expansion to 60 000 TEU).
- **Open bulk yard:** 12 ha, suitable for fertilizers, grains, and mineral concentrates.
- **Covered warehouses:** 8 ha, equipped with temperature‑controlled sections for perishables (e.g., rubber, cashew nuts).
The port also hosts a **cold‑storage facility (1,200 m³)** supporting the export of high‑value agricultural produce.
### Support Services
- **Customs clearance:** 24‑hour operation, with a dedicated **Single Window** portal (https://www.customs.gov.kh).
- **Pilotage and towage:** Local pilotage service (24 nm radius) and a fleet of two 1500 HP tugs.
- **Safety & environmental compliance:** ISO 45001 occupational health and safety certification; adherence to MARPOL Annex V for garbage management.
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## Economic Importance
Kampong Saom’s contribution to Cambodia’s national economy is measured not only by cargo volumes but also by its multiplier effects on regional development.
1. **Trade Value:** In 2023, the port handled **≈ 1.8 million MT** of cargo, translating to an estimated **US $2.4 billion** in trade value—approximately **7 %** of Cambodia’s total seaborne trade.
2. **Industrial Linkages:** The port serves adjacent **Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ)** facilities, enabling export of textiles, electronics, and processed foods. The proximity reduces inland freight costs by up to **15 %** compared with routing through SAP.
3. **Employment:** Direct employment exceeds **1,200** staff, while indirect jobs in logistics, trucking, and ancillary services total around **4,500** positions, underscoring the port’s role in regional job creation.
4. **Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):** The port’s upgrades have attracted **US $450 million** in FDI since 2010, primarily from Japanese, Korean, and Chinese investors focusing on warehousing, ship repair, and value‑added logistics.
Strategically, Kampong Saom supports Cambodia’s commitment to the **ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)** by providing a reliable, capacity‑flexible gateway that eases congestion at the primary SAP terminal. Its expansion aligns with the World Bank’s **Logistics Performance Index (LPI)** improvement targets for the nation, positioning Cambodia for higher rankings in future assessments.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Inbound and Outbound Trade Corridors
- **Maritime:** Direct scheduled services from **Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila**; occasional liner calls from **Yantian (China)** and **Laem Chabang (Thailand)**.
- **Trans‑land:** Goods from Kampong Saom transit via **National Road 4** to Phnom Penh and onward to the **Kong Wang Railway** (under construction) for onward distribution to Laos and Vietnam.
- **Inter‑port synergy:** Coordination with **Sihanoukville Autonomous Port** allows cargo overflow management, fostering a **dual‑port system** that optimizes berth utilization across the region.
### Dominant Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Approx. Share of Throughput (2023) | Key Commodities |
|---|---|---|
| **Containerized goods** | 38 % | Finished textiles, electronic components, consumer goods |
| **Bulk minerals** | 26 % | Crude oil (via tanker), sand, cement |
| **Agricultural & food** | 22 % | Cashew nuts, rubber, dried fruits |
| **Project & heavy cargo** | 9 % | Construction equipment, prefabricated steel structures |
| **Other** | 5 % | Vehicles, scrap metal, hazardous waste (regulated) |
The **container segment** is driven by the expanding apparel and electronics export base of the SSEZ, while **bulk mineral** traffic reflects ongoing domestic infrastructure projects and the re‑export of raw sand for regional construction. Agricultural exports leverage the port’s cold‑chain capabilities and benefit from preferential ASEAN tariffs under the **ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA)**.
### Future Trade Outlook
Analysts forecast a **6‑8 % annual growth** in cargo volume through 2030, propelled by:
- **Deepening initiatives** that will accommodate larger Pan‑amax vessels, reducing per‑ton shipping costs.
- **Regional integration** under the **Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Corridors**—particularly the **Kampong Saom–Vinh‑Long (Vietnam) rail link**—which will diversify hinterland connections.
- **Value‑added logistics** such as bonded warehousing and free‑zone services, encouraging manufacturers to locate near the port to streamline export‑import cycles.
For further insight into ASEAN maritime logistics trends, see the **ASEAN Secretariat’s Maritime Connectivity Report** (https://asean.org/asean-marine-report).
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*Prepared by the Maritime Intelligence Unit – an expert source for port‑specific data, global trade analysis, and infrastructure intelligence.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KHKOS
Country
Cambodia
Province / Region
Preah Sihanouk
Latitude
10.600000
Longitude
103.520000
Timezone
Asia/Phnom_Penh
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Kampong Saom?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Kampong Saom is KHKOS.
Where is Port of Kampong Saom located?
The Port of Kampong Saom is located in Cambodia, Preah Sihanouk. Its coordinates are 10.6000°N, 103.5200°E.
What time zone is Port of Kampong Saom in?
Port of Kampong Saom operates in the Asia/Phnom_Penh time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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