Phnom Penh, May 5 (IANS): Cambodia on Thursday started to the construction of a $1.5 billion logistics and multi-purpose seaport in the southwestern Kampot province, aiming to enhance the kingdom's logistics and transportation sector, officials said.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Bokor city, Deputy Prime Minister Chea Sophara, who is also minister of land management, urban planning and construction, said the project is invested by local company Kampot Logistics and Port and the construction is undertaken by the Shanghai Construction Group and the China Road and Bridge Corporation, reports Xinhua news agency.

"This multi-purpose port will be a new international gateway to facilitate Cambodia's trade with other countries," he said in a speech live broadcast on social media.

"It will significantly contribute to boosting our economic growth," he added.

Built on a total area of 600 hectares, the port with a depth of 15 metres will be able to accommodate vessels weighing up to 100,000 tonnes.

Transport Minister Sun Chanthol said the 15-year project is estimated to cost $1.5 billion and the development has been divided into three phases.

The first phase from 2022 to 2025 is expected to cost $200 million, he said.

"This mega-project includes a container terminal, a special economic zone, a free trade area, a logistics hub, an oil refinery, and a terminal for tourist vessels, among others," said the Minister.

The port will be capable of handling 300,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit) in 2025 and up to 600,000 TEUs in 2030, he said, adding that it will create some 10,000 direct and indirect jobs when it is put into use.

According to the Minister, it will be the third largest port in the Southeast Asian country after the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port and the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port.