Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, global fuel prices have soared, directly leading to a significant increase in international shipping costs. His Excellency Seng Chandi, Chairman of the Cambodian Logistics Association, recently stated that since the escalation of the situation in the Middle East in early March, local shipping costs have cumulatively increased by 20% to 25%, forcing many shipping companies to raise freight rates.
Seng Chandi analyzed that while rising fuel prices have somewhat suppressed global market demand, resulting in some order reductions and a cooling of end-consumer demand, they have not brought substantial downward pressure on overall trade circulation. He pointed out that the transportation industry is the sector most directly impacted by oil price fluctuations, and the association's member companies have not adopted a "one-size-fits-all" price increase model. Instead, they have proactively communicated and negotiated with import and export merchants, implementing a differentiated pricing strategy: maintaining existing freight rates for some long-term customers while only making minor increases for other customers, thereby offsetting the operational pressure brought about by the surge in fuel costs.
Sheng Zhandi further added that the freight rate adjustment was solely to offset the additional expenses incurred due to rising energy prices, and the Cambodian Logistics Association and its member companies would never take advantage of oil price fluctuations to seek excessive profits.
Despite pressure from external markets, Cambodia's foreign trade has demonstrated strong resilience. According to the latest data from the Cambodian General Department of Customs, Cambodia's total import and export trade volume exceeded US$16.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 17.2% compared to US$14.4 billion in the same period of 2025.
