Cambodia Ministry Expresses Regret Over Ferry Collision, Vows Safety Enhancements

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia has expressed regret over a collision between a passenger ferry and a sand barge at the Chroy Changvar-Svay Chrum ferry terminal. The incident occurred around 1:30 PM on July 26, 2026. Phan Rim, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, stated on social media, "We regret the collision between the passenger ferry and the sand barge, as the passenger ferry had technical issues." Fortunately, no casualties were reported as a result of this accident. An Sanon, representing the Chroy Changvar-Svay Chrum ferry terminal, explained the incident and publicly apologized. According to him, the accident happened because the ferries came too close to each other, and the helmsman could not immediately control the vessel. He promised that such an incident would not happen again. Water transportation is a vital means in Cambodia, connecting urban and suburban areas, with many people utilizing ferries and boats, especially around the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake. In recent years, with economic development, cargo transport has increased, making safety assurance between large vessels transporting sand and construction materials and passenger vessels a challenge. This accident highlights the gap between increasing water traffic and existing infrastructure and safety management systems. Authorities are expected to implement concrete preventive measures, including improving technical issues and strengthening the training of boat operators.