Funan Techo Canal
The Funan Techo Canal[a][1] is a proposed 180 km long canal in Cambodia, connecting Phnom Penh Autonomous Port with Kep and the Gulf of Thailand.
The canal would begin at the Takeo Canal of the Mekong River, pass through the Ta Ek Canal of the Bassac River and finally merge with the Ta Hing Canal of the Bassac River in Koh Thom district.[2] It would connect Phnom Penh directly with the country's only deep-sea port in Sihanoukville and the new port in Kampot.[3]
The current plan includes constructing three dams with sluices and eleven bridges. The canal will be 100 m wide and 5.4 m deep, supporting vessels up to 3,000 DWT. The target completion date is 2028. It is expected to cost 1.7 billion USD.[4]
The project is funded entirely by the China Bridge and Road Cooperation (CBRC),[5] who is currently (March 2024) working on a feasibility study of the project.[6] The project will be developed under a BOT (build-operate-transfer) contract.[7]
Currently Cambodia relies heavily on using Vietnamese ports, notably that of Cai Mep. The new canal would significantly reduce this dependency.[8] Vietnam has also raised environmental concerns.[9]
Notes and references[edit]
- ^ official project name: "Prek Chek Funan Techo Project", previously called "Tonle Bassac-Kep Waterway and Logistics Project"
- ^ "Tonle Bassac-Kep Waterway and Logistics Initiative named "Prek Chek Funan Techo Project", costs US$1.7B". Construction & Property News. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "Tonle Bassac-Kep Waterway and Logistics Initiative named "Prek Chek Funan Techo Project", costs US$1.7B". Construction & Property News. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "Why is Vietnam Worried About Cambodia's Mekong Canal Project?". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ Rim, Sokvy (2024-03-11). "BRI's Funan Techo Canal could steer Cambodia away from Vietnam and towards China, Politics News - ThinkChina". www.thinkchina.sg. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "Why Cambodia's Funan Techo Canal Project is Worrying Vietnam". Vietnam Briefing News. 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "Cambodia to divert Mekong trade via China-built canal, vexing Vietnam". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ Sereyrath, Sok (2023-12-27). "Techo Funan Canal Project to be Developed under BOT Contract". Cambodian People's Party-វិមាន៧មករា. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
- ^ "Funan Techo Canal Development: Shifting Economic Currents in Southeast Asia". Construction & Property News. 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "Cambodia to divert Mekong trade via China-built canal, vexing Vietnam". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2024-04-10.