TL;DR: Sihanoukville Autonomous Port has launched 24/7 customs operations, backed by EuroCham Cambodia and the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC). The reform reduces logistics costs, eases peak congestion, and accelerates supply chain digitisation — directly improving the investment case for commercial and industrial real estate in Cambodia.

What Changed at Sihanoukville Port — and Why It Matters

On July 7, 2025, a joint delegation from EuroCham Cambodia and the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) visited the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS). The headline outcome: official confirmation that the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) has moved to round-the-clock operations.

Previously, freight movements at Cambodia's largest deep-water port were tied to standard customs working hours. Under the new arrangement, trucks can arrive and depart at any time — including nights, weekends, and public holidays. For a port handling the bulk of Cambodia's containerised trade, this is a structural upgrade, not a cosmetic fix.

How 24/7 Customs Reduces Logistics Costs

Peak congestion from Thursday to Sunday had long been a bottleneck in Cambodia's supply chain. Operators absorbed waiting costs, shippers lost time, and manufacturing and trade supply chains took the hit.

Round-the-clock customs addresses this through traffic redistribution:

  • Night-time windows — carriers can schedule runs during off-peak hours.
  • Flexible planning — logistics firms optimise routes without being forced into daytime peaks.
  • Fewer administrative delays — shorter queues at the gate, lower overtime costs.

EuroCham Cambodia Chairman Tassilo Brinzer stated directly that lower logistics costs benefit not just transport companies, but manufacturers, international buyers, and Cambodia's broader competitiveness against neighbouring markets.

Digitalisation: PASNet and Truck Slot Booking

Alongside the customs reform, the port is developing PASNet — a digital platform launched in 2023 to connect PAS, cargo owners, trucking companies, and other supply chain stakeholders in a single digital environment.

The key feature EuroCham is pushing as part of Cambodia's wider transport digitalisation: advance slot booking for truck arrivals. Benefits include:

  • Smoother distribution of traffic throughout the day.
  • Reduced congestion at the port gate.
  • Predictable arrival windows for fleet operators.

EuroCham has committed to encouraging logistics companies to adopt PASNet more widely — particularly in combination with the new 24/7 customs regime.

What This Means for Real Estate Investors in Cambodia

Logistics infrastructure is a primary driver of value and demand in commercial and industrial real estate. The Sihanoukville port reforms create several direct effects for the property market:

Rising demand for warehouse space. Faster cargo throughput increases the need for distribution centres and storage facilities near Sihanoukville and along the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville corridor.

Greater appeal of industrial zones. Lower logistics costs improve manufacturing economics — especially for export-oriented light industry, which has been expanding in Cambodia at pace.

Multimodal corridor development. Discussions covered road and rail links between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. As these corridors develop, real estate values along the route stand to benefit.

Long-term signal for foreign investors. The structured EuroCham–CDC dialogue — embedded in the White Book and the PPSD platform — demonstrates that Cambodia's reforms follow a systematic process rather than one-off decisions.

Context: From the White Book to the Logistics Growth Conference

The July 7 visit is part of a multi-year engagement between EuroCham and the Royal Government of Cambodia. Many earlier recommendations were incorporated into the EuroCham White Book and developed further at the Logistics-Led Growth Conference, co-organised by EuroCham and CDC in April 2026.

The Cambodia–Europe Public-Private Sector Dialogue (PPSD) remains the standing forum for discussing the business environment between European investors and Cambodian authorities. The logistics agenda will continue shaping the regulatory environment for business and investment in the country.

FAQ

Q: What exactly changed with customs at Sihanoukville Port? A: Cambodia's General Department of Customs and Excise moved to 24/7 operations at PAS. Trucks can now enter and exit the port at any time without being restricted by customs office hours. This is especially significant for reducing congestion during peak periods — Thursday through Sunday.

Q: How do logistics reforms affect commercial real estate investment in Cambodia? A: Lower logistics costs and faster cargo throughput increase demand for warehouse and industrial space near Sihanoukville and along the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville corridor. For investors, this translates into stronger rental demand and long-term capital appreciation potential.

Q: What is PASNet and why does it matter? A: PASNet is Sihanoukville Port's digital management platform, launched in 2023. It connects the port, carriers, and cargo owners, enables truck slot pre-booking, and helps distribute traffic evenly. EuroCham is actively promoting its wider adoption as part of Cambodia's transport sector digitalisation.

Q: Are these reforms sustainable, or are they one-off measures? A: The reforms are anchored in the EuroCham White Book, backed by the PPSD platform, and reinforced by the April 2026 Logistics Growth Conference. This is a structured public-private dialogue with measurable outcomes — not isolated initiatives.

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