As part of a study commissioned by the Ports and Harbours Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan, OCDI helped organize the Seminar on Realizing Carbon Neutral Port (CNP) in the ASEAN Region, which was held on December 10, 2025, in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

The seminar aimed to share policy developments and technological initiatives related to decarbonization in the port sector, and to enhance understanding and capacity building toward the realization of CNP in ASEAN countries.

The seminar was attended by more than 130 participants, including officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia (MPWT), the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port, the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, port and transport authorities from ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat, representatives of Japanese companies which have developed CNP-related technologies, the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Cambodia Office, JICA experts, and officials from MLIT.

 

In the opening session, Mr. KANEMARU Keisuke, Director of the International Policy Planning Office, Ports and Harbours Bureau, MLIT; H.E. Mr. UENO Atsushi, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia; and H.E. Ms. Koy Sodany, Permanent Secretary of State of MPWT, delivered opening remarks. They highlighted the global trends in CNP initiatives and reaffirmed the importance of knowledge sharing through international cooperation.

Following the opening remarks, MLIT’s Carbon Neutral Port Promotion Office presented Japan’s policies and initiatives for port decarbonization, including examples of related measures and technologies. This was followed by presentations from Japanese private-sector companies, which introduced advanced CNP-related technologies and solutions.
Active discussions ensued, with participants raising questions regarding the applicability of these technologies in their respective countries as well as their economic feasibility.

 

Following the seminar, with the cooperation of the Cambodian government, site visits were conducted for members of the Overseas Port and Logistics Project Council, focusing on Cambodia’s major ports—Phnom Penh Autonomous Port and Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.
These ports have experienced remarkable growth in cargo throughput, exceeding 10% annual growth in recent years, and the visits provided participants with valuable insights into current port operations and development efforts in Cambodia.

Group photo of all participants at the seminar venue

　　

Opening remarks by Mr. KANEMARU Keisuke (Director of International Policy Planning Office, Industrial Port Division, Ports and Harbours Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan)

　　　　

Opening remarks by H.E. Ms. Koy Sodany　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. UENO Atsushi

(Secretary of State, Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia)　　　　　(Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia)

 

　　　　

Presentation on the current status of ports in Cambodia by Mr. Sok Sophara　　　　　　　　　　Scene from the seminar

(Deputy Director General Department of Waterway-Maritime Transport and Port, MPWT)

Presentation on Japan’s initiatives for Carbon-Neutral Ports by Ms. TOMITA Ruka (Section Chief, CNP Promotion Office, Ports and Harbours Bureau, MLIT)

　　

       

                                                  Selected scenes from presentations by Japanese companies and related organizations

                                                  Scenes from Q&A session with H.E. Mr. Chhieng Pich and participants from the floor

Presentation on the introduction of new climate change mitigation measures by Mr. MOKI Hirotada (Port and Airport Research Institute of Japan)

Seminar facilitation and operational support by OCDI