Cambodia and Japan Partner to Deploy Electronic Navigational Charts for Enhanced Maritime Safety

• Proeksa Meas
• 14 July 2026
• Construction Focus
• 705 Views

Backed by JICA, a four-year capacity-building initiative starting in 2027 will modernize hydrographic charting around Sihanoukville Autonomous Port following the delivery of a new survey vessel later this year.

Cambodia and Japan have officially signed a Minutes of Discussion (MoD) to launch a comprehensive development project aimed at strengthening national capacities to produce, update, and distribute Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC). This strategic initiative is designed to ensure and significantly enhance maritime navigation safety across the Kingdom’s territorial waters.

The formal signing ceremony was held on July 2, 2026, presided over by His Excellency Eang Veng Sun, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and Ms. MIURA Yoshiko, Senior Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Cambodia Office. The high-level event brought together senior ministry leadership, representatives from the General Department of Waterways, Maritime Transport, and Ports, key technical officials, and specialized maritime experts from JICA.

Operated under a grant and technical assistance framework funded by the Government of Japan through JICA, the project focuses heavily on modernizing Cambodia’s maritime transport sector. By digitizing navigational charts into standard electronic vector formats, the project aims to optimize navigation safety, minimize maritime risks, and build international confidence among global shipping lines operating in Cambodian waters. The primary geographical focus of the charting operations will center on the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS)—the country’s principal deep-water trade hub—and its critical surrounding shipping corridors.

The modernization program is scheduled to run for a duration of four years, spanning from 2027 through 2030. This timeline is strategically aligned with Cambodia’s broader maritime infrastructure schedule; physical mapping and capacity-building operations are set to commence immediately after the Kingdom receives its advanced hydrographic survey vessel, which is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026. This specialized vessel will provide the advanced sounding technologies necessary to collect the high-precision digital terrain data required to generate compliant ENCs.

By empowering Cambodia to independently manage its hydrographic data and distribute real-time updates in accordance with international maritime standards, this bilateral alliance continues to solidify the country’s standing as an emerging, highly secure hub for global maritime commerce. (read more)

• Seaport
• JICA
• Japan's grant
• ENC
• MoD
• PAS
• Sea transport