A new shipping connection between China’s Beibu Gulf Port and Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is reducing maritime transit time between the two markets to about five days, strengthening Cambodia’s access to a major regional trade corridor.
The direct service cuts transit time by more than half compared with historical routes through Guangdong province, according to Li Chaofei, general manager of SITC’s Nanning branch.
The development could provide Cambodian exporters and importers with a faster maritime connection to southern China and the wider Southeast Asian market, while linking Sihanoukville more closely with China’s New International Land Sea Trade Corridor.
China Cambodia Shipping Transit Falls to Five Days
SITC currently operates transportation between Beibu Gulf Port and Sihanoukville Port with a transit time of approximately five days, Li said during an interview with ASEAN journalists at Qinzhou Port.
The shorter transit time can reduce the time required to move containers between Cambodia and southern China.
Li said the revised route also lowers overall expenditure, although he did not disclose specific freight rates or the amount saved per container.
| Shipping Indicator | Current Figure |
|---|---|
| Beibu Gulf to Sihanoukville transit | 5 days |
| Reduction compared with historical routes | More than 50% |
| SITC Beibu Gulf container routes | 6 |
| Beibu Gulf Port 2025 container volume | 10M+ TEUs |
| New deep water berth depth | 15.1 metres |
| New berth annual capacity | 700,000 TEUs |
SITC Connects Beibu Gulf With Southeast Asia
The Sihanoukville service is part of SITC’s wider network linking southern China with Southeast Asia.
Li said the company operates six container routes from Beibu Gulf Port, connecting markets including Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei.
The network provides shipping links for a range of commodities moving between China and ASEAN markets.
Primary cargoes include:
- Automotive components
- Minerals
- Light industrial products
For Cambodia, the direct Sihanoukville connection provides another maritime link with southern China and the broader regional logistics network.
Beibu Gulf Port Handles More Than 10 Million TEUs
Beibu Gulf Port handled more than 10 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, according to data presented during the site visit.
The port has also invested heavily in automated terminal operations.
Ling Guohua, operations department manager at Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Container Terminal Co Ltd, said artificial intelligence is used in container loading, internal yard transfers and vehicle dispatching.
According to Ling, AI applications have increased container vessel operating efficiency by approximately 20 to 30 percent and helped reduce vessel turnaround times.
Qinzhou Port Expands Deep Water Capacity
Infrastructure improvements at Qinzhou Port are supporting the expansion of container traffic.
A recently upgraded deep water container berth has a depth of 15.1 metres, four quay cranes and annual handling capacity of approximately 700,000 TEUs.
Mooring systems and operating procedures have also been upgraded to improve vessel arrivals and departures.
The improvements are intended to support larger and more efficient container operations as cargo flows through Beibu Gulf increase.
Cambodia Gains Access to China's New Land Sea Corridor
Beibu Gulf Port serves as a major maritime gateway for China's New International Land Sea Trade Corridor.
The corridor connects western and landlocked areas of China with international markets through a combination of rail, road and maritime transportation.
For Cambodia, the Sihanoukville connection creates a direct maritime link into this wider logistics system.
This can be particularly relevant for Cambodian businesses seeking connections with Chinese suppliers, manufacturers and regional distribution networks.
Key Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese port | Beibu Gulf Port |
| Cambodian port | Sihanoukville Autonomous Port |
| Current sea transit | About 5 days |
| Operator mentioned | SITC |
| SITC Beibu Gulf routes | 6 |
| 2025 Beibu Gulf container throughput | More than 10 million TEUs |
| Deep water berth depth | 15.1 metres |
| Berth cranes | 4 |
| Berth annual capacity | 700,000 TEUs |
| Reported AI efficiency improvement | 20–30% |
| Key cargoes | Automotive components, minerals, light industrial products |
Faster Shipping Could Support Cambodia Trade
Shorter maritime transit times can have implications beyond transportation speed.
For exporters, faster connections can improve delivery planning and reduce the time goods remain in transit. For importers, shorter shipping cycles can support inventory planning and supply chain coordination.
The potential benefits will depend on factors including freight rates, service frequency, port handling, customs procedures and inland transportation.
The source does not provide specific freight rates, container cost reductions or the route's cargo volume. These figures would be needed to assess the financial impact of the new connection more precisely.
Sihanoukville's Role in Regional Logistics
The shipping connection comes as Sihanoukville continues to play an important role in Cambodia's maritime trade infrastructure.
A direct connection with Beibu Gulf provides another link between Cambodia's principal deep sea port and one of China's major southern maritime gateways.
The development also illustrates how Cambodia's logistics position is increasingly connected to broader regional infrastructure rather than operating as a standalone national system.
Angkor Times Analysis
The five day Beibu Gulf Sihanoukville transit time is significant primarily because it connects Cambodia directly to a major Chinese port network and the New International Land Sea Trade Corridor. The reported reduction of more than half compared with historical routes could improve supply chain planning for businesses trading with southern China. However, the commercial impact cannot be measured from transit time alone. Freight rates, sailing frequency, cargo volumes, customs efficiency and inland logistics will determine how extensively Cambodian businesses can benefit from the connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does shipping from Beibu Gulf Port to Sihanoukville take?
The current SITC service takes approximately five days, according to SITC's Nanning branch general manager Li Chaofei.
How much faster is the new shipping connection?
The reported transit time is more than half shorter than historical routes through Guangdong province.
Which company operates the shipping service?
The service is operated by SITC as part of its container shipping network from Beibu Gulf Port.
How much cargo does Beibu Gulf Port handle?
Beibu Gulf Port processed more than 10 million TEUs in 2025.
What types of goods move through the route?
Commodities highlighted in the report include automotive components, minerals and light industrial products.
Why is the route important for Cambodia?
The Sihanoukville connection gives Cambodian exporters direct maritime access to Beibu Gulf Port and a connection to China's New International Land Sea Trade Corridor.