Port of Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Port Overview

Latitude	11 ° 35 ' N	Longitude	104 ° 55 ' E
Time Zone	GMT +7	UN/LOCODE	KHPNH
Breakbulk Facilities		Container Facilities
Dry Bulk Facilities		Liquid Facilities
Gas Facilities		Ro-Ro Facilities
Passenger Facilities		Multipurpose Facilities
Credits

Port Map

Port description

Location: Phnom-Penh is situated on the W bank of the Tonle Sap River.
General overview: Phnom-Penh is the capital of Cambodia and is linked to the rest of the country by a widespread road network. It has a direct rail link with Bangkok to the NW and Sihanoukville to the WSW.
The port consists of 2 sets of public mooring facilities and a back up area. Port No 1 includes Berths No 4, 5 and 6 and Port No 2 includes Pontoon Berths No 5b and 5c.
The port handles general cargo and containers, there are no facilities for discharging cargo in bulk. Petroleum products are discharged at Russey Keo, located on the right bank of the Tonle Sap River, 4km upstream from Phnom Penh.
Traffic figures: Approx 467,979t of cargo handled annually.
Load Line zone: Tropical.
Max size: LOA 120m, 3,000GT. The max draughts for all vessels calling at Phnom- Penh are as follows:

Jan 1-15	4.4m	Jul 16-31	4.7m
Jan 16-Feb 15	4.3m	Aug 1-15	4.8m
Feb 16-May 15	4.2m	Aug 16-31	5.0m
May 16-31	4.3m	Sep 1-Oct 31	5.2m
Jun 1-15	4.4m	Nov 1-15	5.0m
Jun 16-30	4.5m	Nov 16-30	4.8m
Jul 1-15	4.6m	Dec 1-31	4.6m

Pre Arrival Information

Navigation

Port limits: The area administered by the port of Phnom-Penh is from 2.5km upstream from Chroy Changwar Bridge along the Tonlesap River to down stream 3km from Quatre Bras along the Mekong River and 6km up along the Mekong River from Quatre Bras. The total water front length is approx 27km.
Sea buoys, fairways and channels: There is an access channel width 60m, length 850m at Quatre Bras 2km downstream from Phnom Penh, where annual maintenance dredging is needed. The depth of dredging is 5.0m elevation at the channel and in front of the berths.
There are illuminated buoys along the Mekong River from the Vienam border up to the port. Buoyage is in accordance with IALA System A.
Entry: Cua Tieu, the NE mouth by which the Mekong River is entered, lies between the NE extremity of Cua Lao Loi Quan and Pointe du Mirador (10°16'N 106°45'E), 0.65nm NNE. A directional light, 290°, (round tower on piles), stands on the S side of Banc Norodom, 2.75nm ESE of Pointe Du Mirador, and the channel is indicated by lightbuoys and buoys. There are dangerous wrecks and obstructions in the vicinity. Abeam Pointe Du Mirador the channel is obstructed by fish traps, and large isolated fishing stakes, invisible at night, which constitutes a danger to navigation. No other further obstructions have been reported beyond these. The depth over the bar is 2.1m.
The passage from Cua Tieu to Phnom Penh is not as difficult as it might appear: the river is generally wide and there are few sharp turns. the bottom is mostly of soft mud and no damage should result if a vessel grounds.
There are many fishing stakes, but these are well lit at night; the end stake is normally marked by a red light. Fishing nets are also laid across the river, but they may be passed over without being damaged.
Having embarked a Vietnam pilot at the Mui Vung Tau pilot boarding place, a vessel should arrive at the entrance bar of Cua Tieu at such a time as to have an UKC of 1.2m, and then proceed up river on the flood stream. It is also possible that the pilot will wish to cross the 78nm bar on this tide before anchoring, even if it entails navigating after dark. Subsequently, the time of weighing will depend on the ETA at Phnom-Penh, which must be adjusted so as to cross the 120nm bar at LW. Beyond this bar vertical tide effects are negligible, but it has been observed that the flood stream may still run at a rate of about 1kn. The 182nm bar is the most difficult of the passage as the channel is only 45m wide and passes very close to the river bank. Distances in the Mekong River are measured from the entrance of the Song Sai Gon. When bound for Phnom Penh, some of the more important are:

Place	Distance (nm)
Baie De Cocotiers	6
Seward end of entrance bar: Depth on bar 2.1m	26
Inshore end of entrance bar	35
My Tho anchorage	56
Bar	70
Bar: Depth on bar 3.4m	78
Car Ferry	87
Bar: Depth on bar 5.5m	120
Vietnam/Cambodia border -Change pilot	154
Bar: Depth on bar 4.0m	182
Bar: Depth on bar 4.9m	205
Phnom Penh	209

Departure. On the return journey from Phnom-Penh it is recommended that a vessel sails in the afternoon, so that as much distance as possible may be made in daylight. Except at neaps, when the 120nm bar may present a problem, a vessel should be able to reach the 78nm bar regardless of the time of HW at Mui Vung Tau. Whether the latter bar is crossed on the same tide, and at what time the vessel will weigh in the morning, will depend on the time of HW at Mui Vung Tau.
Pilot: Request for pilot must be made to the Pilot Station at least 24 hours prior to arrival. Permission to visit Cambodia must first be obtained from the Cambodian Authorities. Pilotage in the Mekong River is compulsory for ocean-going vessels and is available in daylight hours only. A Vietnam pilot is embarked, at the pilot boarding place (10°20.3'N 107°03.2'E) off Mui Vung Tau, who will take the vessel up river to the frontier (10°56'N 105°12'E) between Vietnam and Cambodia, where a pilot from Cambodia will take over for the remainder of the passage to Phnom-Penh., Each country maintains a pilot station near the frontier between them; Vietnam at Tan Chau, and Cambodia at Phum Kaam Samma Kraon.
Vessels in the Vietnamese part of the Mekong River are only permitted to be underway between sunrise and sunset, except in the event of adverse tides. Vessels waiting for the tide may only anchor at My Tho, or as indicated by the pilot.
Anchorages: The anchorage area extends in front of Port No 2. The holding ground is good, the bottom is mud and sand.
Tidal range and flow: The route from the mouth of the Mekong River to Phnom Penh has a large fluctuation in water levels throughout the year. Movement of vessels to Phnom-Penh port is effected by the water levels and the current in front of the berths.
The flow in the river reverses with the change of the water volume in the Mekong River. From Oct to May the water flows downstream in the direction of the Mekong River and in the rainy season, the water level in the Mekong River rises, the water in the river flows upstream in the direction of the Tonlesap Lake.
The highest level in the last 10 years was +10.35m and the lowest level was +0.49m. The flow of water in the Mekong River is as follows: Max velocity of flow 3.6kts, min velocity of flow 0.3kts.
The flow of the Tonlesap River was observed in front of the port on Dec 22 1992 as follows: Velocity 1.6kn and the direction of the river was parallel to the river banks at a large arc, the velocity was 2.3-2.5kts at a distance of 130m away from the berth and was farther towards the centre of the river, the velocity in front of the berths is approx 4.9kts.
Dock density: 1000.
Weather: Phnom-Penh has a tropical climate with 2 seasons. The dry season is from Nov-Apr. The rainy monsoon season is from May-Oct. The annual average temperature is 25.5°C. Wind records indicate an observed max speed of 4kts, from Nov-Jun, in a SE'ly direction. The max was 31-39kts between Jul-Oct in a W-NE'ly direction.
The heaviest precipitation is concentrated in the rainy season. The humidity from Feb-Mar averages at 44% and the max of 99.8% was recorded in Oct.
Principal navigation aids: One set of leading lights has been installed on the Quatre Bras Channel.
Charts: BA 2660A, 3985. While Admiralty charts cover the river entrance, there are no Admiralty charts showing details of the Mekong River. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(4).
Restrictions: Maximum LOA of ships should not exceed 100m during dry season due to the configuration of the river bank.
Tugs: Available. 1 x 550hp, 1 x 380hp
Coast guard: Traffic movement is governed by the Police Guard Authority.
Mooring information: There are rubber fenders and mooring bollards provided for the safe and quick mooring of vessels. Mooring cleats are also provided underneath the berth to make it easy for small vessels to moor when the water level is low. Independent bollards are provided upstream and down stream side of the berth on the bank of the river for the mooring of vessels.

Berths and Cargo

Names/Nos: There is 1 pier, 300m in length and 2 pontoon wharves, each 45m in length in addition to a new 300m long, 30m wide berth. The draught alongside the new berth is 4.20m to 5.20m in dry and rainy season respectively and is capable of handling up to 3 medium sized seagoing vessels simultaneously.
There are other berths for small craft. Vessels also discharge cargo at anchorage off the town, into lighters.
One of the pontoons has been converted into a passenger terminal for both domestic and international use.
A Total Petroleum Jetty handling gasoline has a depth of 6.0m handling 4,000DWT vessels.
Facilities:

Mobile cranes	No	Capacity (t)
	5	6.5
	3	8
	2	16
	5	25
	1	50
	1	70
Forklifts	1	2
	11	3.5
	2	4
	3	6
	1	25
Trucks	17	10
Trailers	6	24

Storage: There are 11 single floored buildings with total covered space of 3455m²designed for unobstructed movement of vehicles and for effective storage of a wide variety of goods. In addition there is also some open storage space. There is a container yard with 6100m² of available space.
Cargo: Stevedore gangs are available as required by agents. Gangs vary between 12-16 men depending on the type of operation. The average handling rates are as follows:

General cargo	100-150t per gang, per day at the berth
Bagged cargo	200t per gang, per day
Containers	12TEU per gang, per day.

Barges: Available. The capacity of steel barges for lightering is approx 120-450t.
Ballast/slop reception: There are no slop discharge facilities available.
Security: The Harbour Master will advise the Master of any circumstances which might necessitate any special precautions.
The Master of a vessel should inform the Harbour Master of the security procedures on board in accordance with the vessels security guide.
Safety: Throughout the vessel's stay, gangway watchmen are required. The ship's Master will be responsible for mooring and securing the vessel against the quay and providing extra ropes or wires as required. Ship's fire fighting equipment must be kept ready at all times. Sufficient watch must be maintained on deck and in the engine room and a sufficient number of crew must be on board at all times to move the vessel at any time if required.

General

Repairs: There is 1 military dock available for small vessels only.
Docking facilities: There are docking facilities for small vessels only.
Bunkers/water/stores: Fresh water: Available from pier and wharves.
Bunkering: Available from barges.
Medical facilities: Several hospitals located in and around the city.
Transport: Nearest airport: Phnom-Penh International.
Crew change: Available through KAMSAB.
Consuls: Most countries are represented in Phnom-Penh.
Banks: Bank of Foreign Trade of Cambodia.
Public holidays: See standard Cambodian holidays in General Information.
When holidays fall on a Sat or Sun the following Mon will be a holiday and cargo work can be arranged on these days.
Working hours: Normally 0700-1130hrs and 1400-1800hrs, overtime 1900-2300hrs. Working on public holidays, weekends and at night can be arranged at customers request,
Developments: Establishment of inland container depot on 9ha of land 4km from port, accessed by road and rail.
Closed warehouse and cold storage sheds also planned.
Surveyors: KAMCONTROL (The Kampuchea Superintendence Inspection and Suppression of Counterfeit Goods Direction), Head Office, 50 Eo 144 St, Phnom-Penh.
SGS (Societe Generale de Surveillance sa), Geneve Suisse.
Garbage: Garbage removal every 3 days is compulsory, vessels must provide drums or bags. The charges are US$20 at the quay and US$45 at the buoy, each time.
Officials and visitors: All visitors are prohibited except company employees whose duties require them to be on board.
Fumigation: Fumigation facilities can be arranged via KAMSAB.
Pollution: No vessel is permitted to discharge oil or any mixture containing harmful pollutants or refuse within the port area or coastal waters of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The Master or person in charge of the vessel will be fined if the regulations of Prevention of Pollution of Marine Environment, issued by the Government of Cambodia, are not adhered to.

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