Cambodian ports see cargo shipment growth in 8 months of 2015

Cargos throughput two Cambodia 's largest shipping facilities, Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (SAP) and Phnom Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP), increased 19 percent and 8 percent, respectively, in the first eight months of this year compared to the same period last year.

The ports released figures on Friday showing that SAP, the kingdom's maritime container hub, handled 260,523 20-foot- equivalent units, or TEUs (standard-sized containers), from January to August this year, up 19 percent compared to the same period last year.

Containerized cargo tonnage increased 8.4 percent to 2.52 million tons, the figure showed.

Main products imported into Cambodia via the port were garment raw materials, autos, construction materials and petroleum, while major items exported from the country were garment and footwear products and milled rice.

"We project that growth at the port will continue through the rest of the year and in coming years thanks to better economic situation," So Sieng, director of SAP's planning and statistics department, said.

Meanwhile, PPAP, the country's only freshwater port, reported that it received 96,018 TEUs during the first eight months of this year, an 8-percent rise compared to the same period last year.

PPAP will be listed on the Cambodian Securities Exchange in November this year, according to its document. Endi