Cambodia Investment Review
Prime Minister Hun Manet today officially launched the Kampot International Tourism Port, a key infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity between Cambodia’s southern coast and neighboring countries. The inauguration follows a three-month trial run of the port’s operations.
The project, a public-private partnership, was financed by a USD 10 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as part of its Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth initiative. Additional funding was contributed by the Cambodian government.
Located five kilometers from Kampot city in Tuek Chou district, the four-hectare port is positioned to serve as a regional tourism gateway, offering ferry connections to major Cambodian islands such as Koh Rong Sanloem and Koh Sdach, as well as to destinations in Vietnam and Thailand.
Public-Private Partnership to Drive Operations
Although construction was completed in June 2022, the port remained non-operational until a private operator could be secured. In June 2024, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AZ Builder, a subsidiary of Cambodian conglomerate AZ Group, to assume responsibility for operating and maintaining the port.
According to Transport Minister Peng Ponea, AZ Builder will hold operational rights for 20 years, during which it will manage all port functions, including repairs and revenue collection. Notably, the company will benefit from a six-year tax exemption at the outset of its tenure.
During the trial period, AZ Builder partnered with Virak Buntham Express to provide passenger services between the port and key island destinations, laying the groundwork for broader regional tourism integration.
Strengthening the Coastal Tourism Corridor
The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) emphasized the port’s role in enhancing cross-border tourism along the Southern Coastal Corridor. The facility is expected to generate employment, support over 100 local businesses, and create new income streams for Kampot province residents.
The launch of the Kampot International Tourism Port adds to a broader push to upgrade Cambodia’s coastal infrastructure. Prime Minister Hun Manet also recently presided over the groundbreaking of the Kampot Logistics & Multipurpose Port, a USD 1.5 billion deep-sea facility currently under construction in the province.
The addition of the new tourism port brings the country’s total number of seaports and river ports to 119, including significant hubs such as the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port and the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port along the Tonle Sap River.
Authorities believe the successful implementation of the tourism port will further integrate Kampot into regional maritime networks, stimulate economic activity, and position the province as a gateway for both domestic and international tourism.
