Cambodia’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport has announced plans for eight major railway projects valued at $10.01 billion, marking the largest expansion of the country’s rail network since its initial construction in the French colonial period.
The current network, built between 1933-1969, consists of 652 kilometers of meter-gauge track divided between two main lines. The 386-kilometer northern line connects Phnom Penh to Poipet at the Thai border, while the 266-kilometer southern line links the capital to the port of Sihanoukville.
According to the Ministry’s 2024 first-half progress report, the expansion will occur in two phases. The first phase, scheduled for 2023-2027, comprises four projects costing $3.8 billion. The second phase, planned for 2028-2033, includes four additional projects requiring $6.21 billion in investment.
The development strategy focuses on upgrading existing infrastructure and constructing new routes. Current studies underway include the modernization of the Phnom Penh-Poipet line, being conducted by the railway department in partnership with China Railway Construction Corporation (CRBC) and Royal Railway Cambodia. New proposed lines include connections to Techo International Airport in Kandal Province and from Siem Reap town to Angkor International Airport, with China Metro participating in the planning process.
The expansion builds on recent rehabilitation efforts of the historical network. Following extensive damage during civil conflicts in the 1970s-1990s, the southern line was rehabilitated between 2010-2013, and the northern line restored by 2018. Royal Railway Cambodia has operated the network under a 30-year concession since 2009, handling both passenger services and freight transport including fuel, cement, containers, and agricultural products.
Trade statistics underscore the timing of this expansion. From January to October 2024, Cambodia’s total trade reached $45.06 billion, a 16.5% increase from the previous year, with exports at $21.57 billion and imports at $23.49 billion, highlighting the growing demand for efficient transportation infrastructure.
