National Workshop on Sustainable Maritime and Port Connectivity

for Resilient and Efficient Supply Chains"

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 6 September 2022

Sub-regional Cooperation to enhance Inland Waterway Transport

Inland Waterway Transport in Cambodia

Heng Suthy, National Expert

Cambodia National Mekong Committee
 Country Overview
• Cambodia (capital: Phnom Penh) is located in the southeast of Indo-China Peninsula in Southeast Asia, with a total area of 181,035 km2.
• Cambodia features superior location and is the important transport hub of “Maritime Silk Road” and Asian Highway Network. Located on the rich and
populous zone of Mekong Delta, it is the key node for ASEAN “connectivity”, Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation, and other strategies, with
stronger functions for receiving influence and transferring strategy.
• Economy in Cambodia is integrated with that in South-East Asia, forming an integration tendency of complementary advantages and industrial
connection.
• According to the data from World Bank, Cambodia’s GDP in 2017 was USD 22.18 billion, ranking 8th among ten ASEAN members.
▪ Trade Volume, Maritime Transport volume

▪ Container port traffic Cargo Gross Throughput ( Tons )

4,040,155 4,364,638 5,328,348…
3,763,296
3,423,919 8.1%
▪ Modal split for container (recent 3-5 Years) 6,000,000 3,012,217
13%
14%
10% 7.4%

4,000,000

2,000,000

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Container Throughput ( TEUs )
541,228
459,839 18%
600,000 400,187 15%
391,819
2.14%
500,000 333,904 17%
286,450 17%
400,000 12%
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Inland Waterway Transport
Bilateral Agreement on Navigation between Cambodia
and Vietnam

❑ Agreement Prepared in 17 Dec 2009.

❑The purpose of the present Agreement is:
(1) to establish a legal framework for the effective
implementation of freedom of navigation in the Mekong river
system, thereby implementing Article 9 of the Agreement on
the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the
Mekong River Basin, done at Chiang Rai on 5 April 1995;
(2) to create favorable conditions for transit and cross-border
navigation within the regulated waterways.
❑ This agreement have:
❑6 chapters
❑ 39 articles
MRC Master Plan for Regional
waterborne transport in the LMB
• Developed in Dec 2015 by MRCS later on
endorsed by MCs during 2020.
• Explain about the various dimension of the
waterborne transports in the LMB’s countries
• Focusing on the short-, medium- and long-
term master plan for regional and each
national levels priorities including task
plannings for each member countries
• Prepared investment plan and budget for
various regional, national and joint-bilaterial
projects
 Inland Waterway Transport

Background
Historically, inland water transport (IWT)
has been the most reliable and
conventional form of transport in
Cambodia. Although it was thought before
the 1970s that road and rail transport
might replace it, it is now clear that IWT Short Distance Passenger Boat
still remains the most important traditional
and most useful mode of transport in
Cambodia.
 Inland Waterway Transport
THAILAND LAO PDR

CAMBODIA

Siem Reap
Chhong Kneas Port Stung Treng

Battambang

Kratie

Kampong Chnang
Kampong Cham

VIET NAM
Phnom Penh
Mekong River

Ho Chi Minh City

Tonle Sap River Bassac River

Maximum navigable vessel size in the Mekong River basin by
section
Vessel Size Restriction
River Length Year-round navigation (DWT)
River Section
(km) possible? Mean-high
Low Water
water
Yes - but is limited by rocky passages and
Golden Triangle - Luang Prabang 362 60
strong currents
Yes - but requires small boats and skilled
Luang Prabang - Vientiane 425 15 60
pilots during dry season

Vientiane- Savannakhet 459 Yes 200 500

Savannakhet - Pakse 261 No "high water" only navigation possible Less than 10 50

Pakse - Khinak 151 Yes 50

Mekong Khinak - Veune Kham 14 No - navigation not possible at any time due
Mainstream Khone Falls

Veune Kham - Stung Treng 30 Yes - with size limitations at low water 15 50

Stung Treng - Kratie 128 Yes - with size limitations at low water 20 50

Kratie - Kampong Cham 121 Yes 80 400

Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh 106 Yes - navigable by sea-going ships 2,000

Phnom Penh- Junction of Vam Nao 154 Yes - navigable by sea-going ships 3,000-4,000 5,000
Pass
Vam Nao pass – South China sea 194 Yes - navigable by sea-going ships 3,000-4,000 3,000- 4,000
Maximum navigable vessel size in the Mekong River basin by
section
Vessel Size Restriction
Length (DWT)
River River Section Year-round navigation possible?
(km) Mean-high
Low Water
water
Phnom Penh - Junction of Vam Nao Yes - but not possible by sea-going
20 50
Bassac Pass ships
River
Vam Nao Pass – South China Sea 188 Yes - navigable sea-going ships 5,000 5,000- 6,000

Phnom Penh - 5km South of

94 Yes - navigable by sea-going ships 1,000 2,000
Kampong Chhnang
Tonle Sap
River Kampong Chhnang - Chhnok Trou 46 Yes - with size limitations at low water 20 150

Chhnok Trou - Chong Kneas 109 Yes - with size limitations at low water 20 150

Dense network of man-made canals,

Yes - Vessel size restrictions within this
natural creeks and tributaries, with a 4,785
network vary from 10-300DWT
total navigable length of 4785 km
Mekong
Delta Yes - this waterway is navigable
Waterways between the Lao PDR and , providing
Se-kong - Mekong tributary (Lao PDR
an alternative international transit
and Cambodia )
corridor to the Mekong which is non-
navigable through the Khone Falls
Regulated Waterway in Cambodia
Phnom Penh port is on the Mekong River so access is through the delta in
Vietnam and through Ho Chi Minh City. In regard condition, to get access to the sea, Cambodia has to
negotiate with the Vietnamese. The negotiation on regulated waterways and transit routes started in late
90’s and it was on 17th December 2009 that the Agreement had been signed in Phnom Penh.

The critical section for the Mekong route which is preferred by Cambodia is the river mouth with a depth
of only 2.4 m during low tide and 4.5 m during the average high tide (allowing vessels up to 2,000 and
4,000 dwt respectively).
Regulated waterways’ means the waterways and stretches of waterways belonging to the Mekong river
system within the respective territories of Cambodia and Vietnam, which are listed in the table bellow or
any other waterway jointly designated by Cambodia and Vietnam. ‘Transit routes’ means those parts of
the regulated waterways which are open to maritime vessels engaged in transit transportation

Name of Starting Point – End Point Length (km)

Waterway
Tonle Sap Lake From Chong Kneas to Kampong Chhnang 152 km

Tonle Sap River From Kampong Chhnang to Phnom Penh 100 km

Mekong River From Phnom Penh to Kaom Samnor/Vinh Xuong border gate 102 km

Mekong River From Kampong Cham to Phnom Penh 106 km

 National policy on Waterway-Maritime Transport and Port development

1. Develop ports infrastructure to serve ships operations in domestic and international waters
2. Promote the establishment of special economic zones in port areas
3. Develop Master Plan on Port to ensure sustainable port management and development
4. Develop, protect, and maintain waterway infrastructures, install and improve aids navigation in
rivers and coastal for safety of navigations and transportations
5. Establish legislative documents related to maritime and inland waterway transport, and port
6. Promote the establishment of maritime education, training and develop capacity building
programs for strengthening the government official capacity
7. Promote the participation of private sectors in development of shipping industry, ship building and
maintenances, port facilities setup, development and operation
8. Develop port data and information management and sharing system and adopt other modern
technologies to facilitate port’s shipping processes
9. Establish maritime management and operations centre and other necessary maritime
infrastructures for safety of ship and naval operations
10. Establish national shipping line to ensure sustainable transportation.
Government Management Structure related to waterway, maritime and port in
Cambodia Ministry of Public Works
and Transport (MPWT)

General
General General General
Department General
Department of Department General Department General
of Waterway- Department General
Administration of Planning Department of Public Department
Maritime of Land Inspectorate
and Finance and Policy of Technique Works of Logistics
Transport Transport
and Port

Waterways
Inland
Infrastructure Merchant Port
Waterways
and Port Marine Administration
Transport
Construction Department Department
Department
Department

Waterways Planning and Waterways

General Affair Aid Navigation Geo-Navigation
Management Legislation Construction
Office Office Office
Office Office and Ports Office
Current status of waterways in Cambodia

In Cambodia there are two

modes of waterways
transportation:

➢ Inland waterways

➢Coastal and Marine

waterways (Maritime)
 Current status of waterways in Cambodia cont.

1- Inland waterways
▪ Mekong River System is the main area for inland
waterways and ports development.
▪ The inland waterway in Cambodia is 1,750Km.
However, ship can only be operated in 780Km
of the inland waterways.
▪ The entire waterway in Cambodia, Mekong river
makes up 30%, Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers
make up 15% and 5% respectively, and all other
rivers make up the remaining 50%.

2- Coastal and Marinetime waterways

▪ The coastline of Cambodia consists of 435Km
long extends from Thailand to Vietnam boarder
Kind of ship Mekong Mainstream
up to Phnom Penh
Tonle Sap, Phnom
Mekong River, Phnom
Penh to Kampong
Penh to Siem Reap Cham

Petroleum Tanker barges Tanker barges less than

1000 DWT
Tanker barges less than
1000 DWT
1,000 DWT
4.0m draught 2.50m draught 2.50m draught

Containers Barges/Vessels Barges

1,900 DWT (120 TEU) 1200DWT(120TEU)
3.8m – 4.2m draught 3.2m draught

General Cargo Barges/vessels 1,500- Domestic boats less than Domestic boats less than
1000 DWT 1000 DWT
5,000 DWT
4.0m - 4.50m draught 2.50m 2.50m

50-120 passengers 50-120 passengers 50-120 passengers

Tourist Cruise 1.5m draught 1.5m draught 1.5m draught
Vessels

Speedboats 25 passengers shallow

25 passengers shallow
draught
draught
Mekong River stretch from Kampong Cham to Phnom Penh Chaktomuk, 100Km

Tonle Bet Port

Sand dredger/ carry boat

Ferry boat Passenger/tourist boat fishing boat

The fleet along this stretch is vessel of 1,500 DWT can navigate for whole year. However, the vessel of 2,000 DWT
can navigate seasonal.
General cargo export from the Tonle Bet port (2015-2020) mainly are animal feed, corn/maiz, feed wheat and
soya bean meal. (Source: PPAP)
Tanker and
feeder ships are
on the Mekong
River
 The river stretch (Tonle Sap) started from Phnom Penh Chaktomuk to
Kampong Chhnang about 122 km.

Tonle Sap River Local ferry boat

Local tourist boat

The Tonle Sap river from Kampong Chhnag to Phnom Penh is
passable for most of the vessels in full year (365 days).
 Funding Sources for inland Waterway development in
Cambodia

There are three difference sources of fund to support waterways

infrastructure development in Cambodia.

• National Annual Budget Allocation

• Other development partners fund support (Ex: JICA, Korea/KOICA)
• Private sectors
Future Waterways development Plans in Cambodia

Waterway
• Seek financial support for development partners to develop the technical
standard for waterway development and operation in Cambodia
including Waterway construction, maintenance and survey facilities
• Cooperate with other regional and international partners on capacity
development and strengthening for our staff on waterways infrastructure and
port development
• Cooperate with development partners and private sector as well as utilization
of the national budget to continue the Implementation of the Rehabilitation
Plan of waterways infrastructure and ports
• Conduct waterways dredging for improvement the Mekong river, Bassac
and Tonle Sap rivers system to revitalize inland waterways transportation
and port logistics.
• Preparation the waterway classification based on vessel classification and
current situation of river stretch.
 Future Waterways development Plans in Cambodia
Port Planning
 Phnom Penh domestic port development (Greentrade)
 Kampong Chhnang domestic port development
 Kampong Cham domestic port development
 Kratie domestic port development
 Stung Treng domestic port development

Waterway Safety
 Framework for rules and procedures supporting the safe navigation of vessels
 Framework for the introduction of a technical regime for approval of plans and construction of Cambodian
domestic and cross-border vessels
 Framework for reporting marine accidents in Cambodia
 Framework of regulations and training standards to deal with prevention of oil pollution from ships
 Framework of regulations and training standards to deal existing and future carriage of dangerous goods
 Framework for domestic search and rescue
 Framework for sharing the Mekong river by all users (consultation with fisheries department)
 Provide a basic aids to navigation on the Kampong Cham - Stung Treng section and Tonle Sap and Bassac Rivers
 Future Waterways development Plans in Cambodia

The list of anticipated project priority for the future implementation

▪ Construct Tonlesap River port in Kampong Tralach Commune, Kampong Tralach District of
Kampong Chhnang Province
▪ Construct Tonlesap River port in Choukiri District of Kampong Chhnange Province
▪ Install and maintain aid navigation along inland waterways
▪ Study on hydrography and produce ENC
▪ Study and construct the coastal tourist port in Dang Tong Commune of Koh Kong Province
▪ Study and construct the Mekong river local port in Chhlong District of Kratie Province
▪ Study and construct the Mekong river local port in Pres Bath Commune, Strung Treng
Municipality of Stung Treng Province
▪ Study and construct tourist port in Tonlesap Great Lake in Kampong Pluk Commune of Siem Reap
Province
▪ Study and construct the tourist port in Sangke Stream in Koh Chivaing Commune of Battambang
Province
 Issues and challenges

▪ Many of significant inland waterways navigation channels are shallower.

Mostly the navigation can be operated smoothly only in rainy season.
▪ The utilization of waterways transportation in Cambodia is still limited
and at minimum level, it is due to insufficient investment on facilities for
waterways infrastructure development.
▪ Limited of national funding for investment on waterway infrastructures
and port development
▪ Lack of law, regulation, and technical guidelines to support on waterways
infrastructure management and operations.
▪ Limited of resources persons, skills, knowledge, and experiences on
waterways infrastructure management and development.
▪ Limited of financial support for waterways development and operations.
 Issues and challenges

For private ports management

▪ Lack of technical guideline (or standard) for guiding the private port construction
and operation. Currently, the private port construction and operation are
implemented basing on their own concept, available funding and resources of each
port owner
▪ Many private ports (esp. River port) are operating without using turning basin area
‘s map within the port operation area
▪ Many of the private ports are still operated without official registration (or
permission) from MPWT.
Thank You!
❖ hengsuthy@gmail.com
E

T +855 17 494 667