Transportation costs are particularly high, representing a significant portion of logistics costs alongside warehousing, Cambodia’s Regional Connectivity, Unlocking the full Potential of Transport Corridor
Abstract
Cambodia’s logistics sector continues to face significant cost pressures, with transportation and warehousing accounting for a large share of total logistics expenses. Despite ongoing investments in transport corridors and regional connectivity initiatives, logistics costs in Cambodia remain higher than those of neighboring countries, reducing the competitiveness of domestic exporters and limiting integration into regional value chains. This study examines the underlying drivers of high transportation and warehousing costs, including infrastructure constraints, customs procedures, market fragmentation, and limited logistics service capacity. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines secondary data analysis with field insights from exporters and logistics providers, the research assesses both the structural and operational factors shaping logistics performance. The findings highlight persistent bottlenecks that elevate transport costs and identifies reform areas with high potential impact, particularly in corridor upgrades, customs simplification, and warehouse efficiency improvement. The study provides evidence-based policy recommendations aimed at reducing logistics costs, enhancing trade competitiveness, and supporting Cambodia’s long-term economic growth
DOI:- 10.5281/zenodo.19082413
Keywords
Logistics efficiency, transportation costs, warehousing costs, regional connectivity, trade facilitation, transport corridors, customs procedures, Cambodia logisticsHow to Cite
References
Asian Development Bank. (2023). Cambodia’s regional connectivity: Unlocking the full potential of transport corridors. ADB.
Bask, A., Rajahonka, M., Laari, S., & Solakivi, T. (2018). Transport service modes and their impacts on supply chain performance. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 48(2), 164–183.
Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics & supply chain management (5th ed.). Pearson.
Djankov, S., Freund, C., & Pham, C. (2010). Trading on time. The Review of Economics and Statistics, 92(1), 166– 173.
Ghani, E., Goswami, A. G., & Kerr, W. R. (2016). Highway to success: The impact of the Golden Quadrilateral project for the location and performance of Indian manufacturing. The Economic Journal, 126(591), 317–357.
Goldsby, T. J., & Martichenko, R. (2018). Lean six sigma logistics: Strategic development to operational success. J. Ross Publishing.
Harrison, A., & Van Hoek, R. (2020). Logistics management and strategy (6th ed.). Pearson.
Hummels, D., Schaur, G., & Shephard, B. (2021). Time as a trade barrier. American Economic Review, 111(6), 1823– 1860.
International Transport Forum. (2020). Transport outlook: Reshaping mobility in a changing world. OECD Publishing.
Lam, J. S. L., & Yap, W. Y. (2019). A stakeholder perspective of port sustainability: The case of Hong Kong. Maritime Policy & Management, 46(3), 295–313.
Martínez-Zarzoso, I., & Márquez-Ramos, L. (2019). Customs and trade facilitation in developing countries. World Economy, 42(1), 1–23.
Notteboom, T., & Rodrigue, J.-P. (2020). Port hinterlands and regionalization. In J.-P. Rodrigue (Ed.), The geography of transport systems (5th ed.). Routledge.
Rodrigue, J.-P., Comtois, C., & Slack, B. (2017). The geography of transport systems (4th ed.). Routledge.
Solakivi, T., Ojala, L., & Töyli, J. (2018). Logistics costs and performance: Evidence from Finland. International Journal of Logistics Management, 29(1), 346–363.
UNESCAP. (2022). Trade and transport facilitation monitoring in Asia and the Pacific. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
World Bank. (2023). Logistics performance index (LPI) 2023: Connecting to compete. World Bank Group.
World Customs Organization. (2020). SAFE framework of standards to secure and facilitate global trade. WCO.
World Trade Organization. (2015). Trade facilitation agreement: Legal text. WTO.
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ratha Long , Dr. Chanthy Sin , Sou Lalin, Mr Seng Vithou, Dr. Sam Chamreun

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Individual articles are published Open Access under the Creative Commons Licence: CC-BY 4.0.