The Ministry of Public Works and Transport in Cambodia (MPWT) requested JICA to conduct “The Project for Strengthening Capacity for Ports Administration” in order to ensure proper port development and to provide high quality port facilities in Cambodia. OCDI was commissioned by JICA to carry out the project in July 2022.

Meanwhile, Cambodia enacted their first Waterway Transport Law in March 2024. The Law states that 1) a port plan drafted by a port authority should comply with MPWT’s port policy, and 2) a port facility should comply with Cambodian port technical standards. The expert team introduced our study results into the legislative framework under the Law.

The project initially focused on drafting Guiding Principles of Port Development Planning. The Guiding Principles include Cambodian national port development policy, macro cargo estimation in 2050, and the required volume of port facilities to accommodate the cargoes. In addition, the planning items in a port plan also are specified. A port authority must follow these Guiding Principles when drafting a port plan.

In addition, the project team drafted Port Technical Standards. Although the Technical Standards are based on Japanese standards, they have been tailored to fit the natural, geographical and port usage conditions in Cambodia. The performance design concept that is common throughout the world is fully introduced. In addition, a wide range of design discretion has also been provided to ensure that designs based on foreign technical standards will be accepted provided they are rational.

The two drafts were presented at the dissemination seminar in November 2024 in Phnom Penh, which was attended by government agencies, port authorities and shipping companies.