Comprising 18 chapters and 275 articles, the draft law aims at enhancing waterway investment and port management in the country.

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Its provisions will be applicable to ships, port crews, ship owners and operators, shipyard facilities, waterway infrastructure and other activities within Cambodian territory related to waterborne logistics.

The new legislation will regulate and boost the country’s waterway and port sector, helping reduce production costs and enhance the competitiveness of the waterborne logistics sector, a statement from the National Assembly noted.

“Cambodia boasts an array of beaches and waterways including rivers, lakes, streams and creeks. These facilitate navigation and connect a vast network of waterways, offering significant potential for domestic and international waterway transport,” said the assembly statement.

The water transportation sector is crucial in promoting socio-economic development, the assembly noted, fostering opportunities for domestic and international investors, enhancing employment and improving the living standards of residents, particularly those along coasts and waterways.

However, the law’s jurisdiction will exclude ships, ports, and port facilities under the management of the ministry of national defense and the ministry of interior, according to domestic media reports.

The proposed legislation seeks to encourage environment preservation alongside any infrastructure development.

The government, meanwhile, will initiate late this year the $1.7-billion Funan Techno Canal project with Chinese support that is expected to drastically transform the domestic inland waterway network after four years.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)