Port of Kampong Saom
The Port of Kampong Saom, commonly known as the Port of Sihanoukville or Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, is Cambodia’s main deep-sea port and the country’s most important gateway for international ocean freight. Located in southwestern Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand, the port serves Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kampot, Takeo, Kampong Speu, Kandal, and wider Cambodian industrial and distribution corridors.
Kampong Saom is especially important for containerized imports and exports moving through Cambodia’s international trade network. The port handles containers, general cargo, bulk cargo, reefer cargo, vehicles, project cargo, construction materials, garments, machinery, food products, agricultural goods, and industrial inputs.
The port is operated by Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, also known as PAS. It plays a central role in Cambodia’s maritime logistics system because it gives shippers direct access to ocean freight routes serving Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and regional transshipment hubs.
Port of Kampong Saom Overview
| Port Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Port name | Port of Kampong Saom |
| Also known as | Sihanoukville Port / Sihanoukville Autonomous Port / PAS |
| Country | Cambodia |
| Province | Preah Sihanouk |
| City | Sihanoukville / Kampong Saom |
| Region | Southwest Cambodia / Gulf of Thailand |
| UN/LOCODE | KHKOS |
| Port type | Deep-sea seaport |
| Port authority/operator | Sihanoukville Autonomous Port |
| Main cargo focus | Containers, general cargo, bulk cargo, reefer cargo, project cargo |
| Cargo types | Containers, garments, machinery, construction materials, food products, agricultural goods, vehicles, bulk cargo, reefer cargo, general cargo |
| Suitable for | Importers, exporters, manufacturers, retailers, garment companies, agricultural exporters, freight forwarders, eCommerce shippers, industrial companies |
Why Ship Through the Port of Kampong Saom?
Kampong Saom is Cambodia’s principal maritime gateway and one of the most important logistics nodes for the country’s import and export activity. Its location on the Gulf of Thailand gives shippers access to regional Asian shipping networks and transshipment hubs such as Singapore, Port Klang, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City, and other Southeast Asian ports.
For importers, Kampong Saom provides access to Cambodia’s consumer market, manufacturing zones, garment factories, construction projects, industrial areas, and inland distribution corridors. For exporters, the port supports cargo moving from Cambodia to Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and other global markets.
The port is especially relevant for businesses connected to garments, footwear, textiles, machinery, construction materials, agricultural products, food products, packaging, consumer goods, electronics, and industrial supplies.
Container Shipping Through Kampong Saom
Kampong Saom supports containerized cargo through Sihanoukville Autonomous Port’s container terminal operations. The port is used for import containers, export containers, reefer containers, feeder cargo, regional shipments, and cargo connected to Cambodia’s manufacturing and trade corridors.
Businesses use Kampong Saom for:
- Import containers into Cambodia
- Export containers from Cambodia
- Full container load shipments
- Less than container load shipments
- Reefer containers for food and temperature-sensitive cargo
- Garments, footwear, textiles, consumer goods, machinery, and industrial cargo
- Agricultural and food exports
- Cargo moving to or from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kampong Speu, Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and inland production zones
- Cargo connecting through regional transshipment hubs such as Singapore, Port Klang, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hong Kong
- Shipments requiring access to Cambodia’s primary deep-sea port
For larger shipments, FCL shipping is usually suitable when cargo can fill a 20ft or 40ft container. For smaller shipments, LCL shipping allows businesses to move partial container loads without paying for a full container.
Kampong Saom Freight Rates
Freight Shipping Cost from & to Kampong Saom for a 20-foot Container
Port Capacity and Terminal Development
Kampong Saom is Cambodia’s main deep-sea port and covers approximately 125 hectares of land. The port supports container handling, general cargo, bulk cargo, and logistics services for Cambodia’s growing international trade.
Sihanoukville Autonomous Port has been expanding container terminal capacity to support larger vessels, higher trade volumes, and Cambodia’s long-term logistics development. Terminal expansion projects are intended to improve vessel handling, reduce shipping costs, strengthen port productivity, and improve Cambodia’s position in regional trade.
The port’s development is closely linked to Cambodia’s industrial growth, garment exports, infrastructure projects, special economic zones, and increasing demand for containerized imports and exports.
Main Cargo Handled Through Kampong Saom
The Port of Kampong Saom handles a broad mix of containerized cargo, general cargo, bulk cargo, and project cargo.
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Containerized imports | Consumer goods, machinery, electronics, industrial inputs, packaging materials |
| Containerized exports | Garments, footwear, textiles, agricultural products, processed food, manufactured goods |
| Garment cargo | Apparel, textiles, footwear, fabric, accessories, retail-ready goods |
| Reefer cargo | Frozen food, chilled food, seafood, fruit, vegetables, temperature-sensitive products |
| Agricultural cargo | Rice, cassava, rubber, cashews, pepper, agricultural inputs |
| Construction cargo | Cement, steel, building materials, machinery, infrastructure cargo |
| Machinery cargo | Industrial machinery, factory equipment, spare parts, engineering equipment |
| Vehicle cargo | Cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, machinery with wheels, equipment |
| General cargo | Packaged goods, equipment, mixed commercial shipments |
| Bulk cargo | Construction materials, agricultural bulk, raw materials |
| Project cargo | Oversized machinery, infrastructure cargo, industrial equipment |
Kampong Saom is especially relevant for shippers connected to Cambodia’s garment industry, manufacturing zones, agricultural exports, construction market, retail imports, and international supply chains.
Shipping to Kampong Saom
Importers ship cargo to Kampong Saom from major sourcing and production markets, including China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, India, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Common imports to Kampong Saom and Cambodia include:
- Machinery and spare parts
- Garment production materials
- Textiles, fabric, and accessories
- Electronics and electrical goods
- Consumer goods and retail inventory
- Food and beverage products
- Chemicals and industrial inputs
- Construction materials
- Steel and cement-related cargo
- Packaging materials
- Vehicles and equipment
- Agricultural inputs
- Refrigerated and temperature-sensitive cargo
- Project cargo and oversized equipment
When shipping to Kampong Saom, importers should compare total landed cost rather than only the ocean freight rate. Total landed cost can include origin charges, sea freight, destination charges, customs duty, VAT, port charges, terminal handling, documentation fees, customs broker fees, storage, demurrage, detention, trucking, inland delivery, and cargo insurance.
Use the iContainers ocean freight calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare available freight options.
Shipping From Kampong Saom
Exporters use Kampong Saom for cargo moving from Cambodia to regional and global markets. The port is especially important for garment exporters, footwear manufacturers, agricultural exporters, food producers, industrial companies, furniture exporters, packaging suppliers, and freight forwarders.
Common export cargo from Kampong Saom includes:
- Garments and apparel
- Footwear and textiles
- Fabric products and accessories
- Agricultural products
- Rice, cassava, rubber, cashews, and pepper
- Processed food and beverage products
- Furniture and wood products
- Consumer goods
- Packaging materials
- Machinery and industrial goods
- Refrigerated cargo
- General cargo
- Project and oversized cargo
For exporters, the best shipping option depends on cargo volume, product type, buyer requirements, Incoterm, sailing schedule, container availability, customs documentation, inland pickup location, and required transit time.
FCL is usually more efficient for larger commercial volumes, while LCL can work well for smaller shipments, samples, cartons, pallets, or partial container loads.
FCL vs LCL Shipping Through Kampong Saom
| Shipping Option | Best For | Main Advantage | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCL shipping | Full 20ft or 40ft container loads | Dedicated container and fewer cargo touchpoints | Best when shipment volume justifies a full container |
| LCL shipping | Smaller shipments, cartons, pallets, samples, partial loads | Pay only for the space used | May involve consolidation or deconsolidation through Kampong Saom, Singapore, Port Klang, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City, or another hub |
| Reefer container | Food products, seafood, fruit, vegetables, chilled or frozen cargo | Keeps cargo at controlled temperature | Requires equipment availability and correct temperature settings |
| Breakbulk shipping | Oversized or non-containerized cargo | Useful for machinery, vehicles, construction cargo, and industrial equipment | Requires special handling and early planning |
| Project cargo | Heavy or complex industrial shipments | Supports infrastructure and industrial cargo | Needs coordination with carrier, terminal, customs broker, and inland transport |
| Vehicle shipping | Cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, and rolling equipment | Supports vehicle and machinery movements | Depends on vessel service, terminal handling, and cargo condition requirements |
| Inland container movement | Cargo moving to or from Phnom Penh and inland production zones | Supports Cambodia’s manufacturing and export corridors | Requires coordination between trucking, terminal, customs, and warehouse teams |
For shippers comparing route options, iContainers’ transit time calculator can help estimate shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Kampong Saom and Cambodia
Cargo imported or exported through Kampong Saom must comply with Cambodian customs requirements. Importers and exporters should prepare accurate shipment data before cargo arrival or departure, including product descriptions, HS codes, customs value, country of origin, consignee details, shipper details, and supporting documentation.
Commercial shipments through Kampong Saom may require documents such as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, customs declaration, certificate of origin, import or export license when applicable, insurance certificate, inspection certificate, and product-specific permits.
Regulated goods such as food products, agricultural goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, electronics, hazardous cargo, animals, plants, vehicles, and restricted goods may require additional permits, testing, inspection, quarantine, or agency approvals.
For more general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Shipping Through Kampong Saom
Most commercial ocean freight shipments to or from Kampong Saom require:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or sea waybill
- Customs declaration
- HS code and product description
- Certificate of origin, when required
- Import license or export license, when applicable
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Inspection certificate, when applicable
- Phytosanitary certificate, when applicable
- Fumigation certificate, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Material safety data sheet, for regulated chemicals or hazardous cargo
- Food safety or agricultural documents, when applicable
- Vehicle documentation, when applicable
- Delivery order or cargo release documents
- Customs broker authorization, when using a customs broker
- Inland transport documents, when cargo moves by truck or rail
Documentation should be complete and consistent before cargo arrival or departure. Incorrect HS codes, incomplete product descriptions, missing permits, inaccurate invoices, inconsistent consignee details, or late documentation can delay customs clearance and increase costs.
Common Shipping Routes for Kampong Saom
Kampong Saom connects Cambodia with regional Asian ports and global trade lanes through direct services, feeder services, and transshipment hubs.
| Trade Lane | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| China to Kampong Saom | Machinery, electronics, textiles, consumer goods, industrial inputs |
| Vietnam to Kampong Saom | Consumer goods, machinery, food products, raw materials, regional cargo |
| Thailand to Kampong Saom | Food products, retail goods, construction materials, machinery, packaging |
| Southeast Asia to Kampong Saom | Consumer goods, electronics, food products, industrial cargo |
| Europe to Kampong Saom | Machinery, chemicals, industrial equipment, premium goods |
| Middle East to Kampong Saom | Chemicals, plastics, construction materials, industrial inputs |
| North America to Kampong Saom | Machinery, consumer goods, medical products, industrial equipment |
| Kampong Saom to China | Garments, footwear, agricultural products, manufactured goods |
| Kampong Saom to Southeast Asia | Garments, food products, agricultural goods, general cargo |
| Kampong Saom to Europe | Garments, footwear, textiles, agricultural products, consumer goods |
| Kampong Saom to North America | Garments, footwear, textiles, furniture, agricultural products |
| Kampong Saom to Middle East | Garments, food products, consumer goods, industrial cargo |
Routing may involve direct calls, feeder services, trucking, rail, inland distribution, or transshipment through Singapore, Port Klang, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, or other regional hubs depending on the carrier, destination, cargo type, and sailing schedule.
When Should You Use Kampong Saom Instead of Another Cambodian or Regional Gateway?
Kampong Saom can be suitable when:
- The cargo origin or destination is in Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, Kampong Speu, Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, or wider Cambodia
- The shipment requires Cambodia’s main deep-sea port
- The cargo is containerized and suitable for FCL or LCL shipping
- The business needs access to Cambodia’s garment, footwear, agricultural, or manufacturing export corridors
- The shipment is connected to consumer goods, machinery, construction materials, industrial inputs, garments, or agricultural products
- The cargo requires reefer, breakbulk, vehicle, or project cargo handling
- Inland delivery within Cambodia is more efficient through Sihanoukville than through a neighboring country
- The shipper wants direct access to Cambodian port and customs processes
A regional gateway such as Ho Chi Minh City, Laem Chabang, Port Klang, or Singapore may be more suitable when the shipment requires a specific carrier service, higher sailing frequency, transshipment coverage, or a regional distribution setup outside Cambodia.
The right port choice should be based on total landed cost, sailing schedule, inland distance, customs requirements, cargo type, equipment availability, terminal capability, and required delivery date.
How to Get an Ocean Freight Quote for Kampong Saom
To get a freight quote to or from Kampong Saom, prepare the following details:
- Origin and destination
- Port-to-port, door-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-door requirement
- Cargo weight and dimensions
- Number of pallets, cartons, boxes, vehicles, or containers
- FCL, LCL, reefer, breakbulk, vehicle, hazardous, or project cargo preference
- Commodity description and HS code, if available
- Cargo ready date
- Incoterm
- Customs clearance requirements
- Final pickup or delivery address, if needed
- Inland movement requirement, such as trucking to Phnom Penh or another Cambodian destination
- Special handling requirements, such as reefer cargo, hazardous cargo, temperature control, oversized cargo, vehicle cargo, or high-value cargo
- Preferred carrier, terminal, or routing, if already specified
With iContainers, businesses can compare ocean freight options online, review available rates, and manage international shipments through a digital booking process.
FAQ About the Port of Kampong Saom
The Port of Kampong Saom is located in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on the Gulf of Thailand in the country’s southwest.
The UN/LOCODE for Kampong Saom / Sihanoukville is KHKOS.
Common cargo includes containers, garments, footwear, textiles, machinery, construction materials, food products, agricultural goods, reefer cargo, vehicles, general cargo, and project cargo.
Yes. Kampong Saom is commonly associated with Sihanoukville Port, also known as Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.
The port serves Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, Kampong Speu, Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and other inland Cambodian manufacturing and distribution areas.