The Royal Railway of Cambodia has taken a significant step toward enhancing its freight transport capacity by receiving the first batch of 60 freight trains from China on December 1. This order is part of a broader initiative to receive 221 freight trains to improve Cambodia's logistics infrastructure. The trains, delivered to Sihanoukville, are expected to boost the country’s rail freight services, making transportation more efficient and environmentally friendly. The arrival of these first 60 units marks the initial phase, with additional trains slated to arrive throughout 2024 and 2025.

Experts, such as Chan Sophal, Director of the Centre for Policy Studies, have emphasized the benefits of increasing rail transport, including lower costs for businesses and reduced traffic congestion on Cambodian roads. With fewer trucks on the road, rail freight is expected to alleviate traffic jams, particularly on heavily congested routes like National Road 5 to Battambang. Furthermore, this shift to rail transport is seen as a positive move for the environment, reducing air pollution and the carbon footprint associated with truck transport. Sophal also pointed out that the government’s past investments in the railway sector had not been fully utilized, and this new development is expected to generate returns for the government and businesses alike.

Prime Minister Hun Manet previously urged that the railway construction project move forward and that negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding be completed by the end of the year. The successful arrival of these freight trains signals a critical step in revitalizing Cambodia’s transportation sector, with the long-term goal of enhancing competitiveness in the commerce sector and ensuring sustainable growth.

---