Funan Techo Canal
The Funan Techo Canal[1] (Khmer: ព្រែកជីកហ្វូណនតេជោ), officially known as the Tonle Bassac Navigation Road and Logistics System Project is a 180-kilometre (110 mi) long canal under construction in Cambodia, connecting Phnom Penh Autonomous Port with Kep and the Gulf of Thailand.
Naming
Funan is a name given by ancient Chinese cartographers refers to a Southeast Asian ancient kingdom that existed from 1st century CE to 5th century CE comprising present-day Cambodia, Southern Vietnam, Southern Thailand and Eastern Thailand. Techo (តេជោ) is a title given to army commanders by the King of Cambodia. It also appears in the name of Techo International Airport, which is located near the eastern end point of the canal.
Overview
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.[1] It would connect Phnom Penh directly with the country’s only deep-sea port in Sihanoukville and the new port in Kampot.[2] The canal crosses through regions totaling 1.6 million inhabitants.[3]
The current plan includes constructing three dams with sluices and eleven bridges. The canal will be 100 metres (330 ft) wide and 5.4 metres (18 ft) deep, supporting vessels up to 3,000 DWT.[4] The groundbreaking of the canal’s construction was held on 5 August 2024.[5] The target completion date is 2028.[4]
A ground breaking ceremony was held in August 2024.[6] Land demarcation and marking for phase one was 55% in mid-December 2024.[7]
