Thailand’s Laem Chabang Port Phase 3, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding the country’s maritime shipping capacity, is moving ahead with construction progress surpassing 60%. The expansion is part of a broader government strategy to reinforce the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) as a regional logistics hub, with completion now expected in 2028, one year later than initially planned.
The project, launched under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework, spans a total area of 3,246 rai in Chonburi Province. Of this, 2,846 rai has been reclaimed from the sea to accommodate multiple facilities, including seven container berths and terminals for vehicles and general cargo. Once completed, the new port is projected to handle up to 18 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually—up from the current 11 million TEUs.
Initially signed on November 25, 2021, the 114 billion baht initiative is jointly funded by the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT), which holds a 47% stake, and private concessionaire GPC International Terminal Co., Ltd., investing the remaining 53%. GPC has committed to developing container terminals F, E, and E0 with a combined budget of 60 billion baht. The first segment, Terminal F, is set to increase annual cargo handling from 11 to 13 million TEUs, with further upgrades bringing the total to 18 million TEUs.
Construction work has been divided into four main components. The first, led by CNNC Joint Venture, involves land reclamation and marine works and is currently 62.89% complete. This part includes dredging up to 18.5 meters deep—among the deepest in the region—to allow access for the world’s largest container ships. Comparatively, ports in Singapore and Sri Lanka benefit from naturally deeper waters.
The second part of the project—focused on infrastructure, roads, and utilities—is under the responsibility of China Harbour Engineering Company (Thailand), but is progressing slower than planned, with minor delays caused by structural and utility obstructions.
A third segment includes construction of a 5-kilometer double-track rail link connecting directly to Laem Chabang rail station. This will allow seamless multimodal cargo movement from ship to train. The final phase will involve installation of advanced equipment and automation technologies, with procurement expected to begin in mid-2025.
The Port Authority estimates minimum financial returns from the entire project at approximately 32 billion baht. Officials say the port’s modern design—integrating robotics, autonomous carriers, and sustainable infrastructure—aligns with global standards and is intended to position Laem Chabang as a green and technologically advanced port.
With full operation of Terminal F now scheduled for the third quarter of 2028 and Terminal F2 in 2031, the port is expected to significantly boost Thailand’s logistics efficiency. It also aims to increase the share of cargo transported by rail from 7% to 30%, reinforcing the EEC’s strategic goal to link Southeast Asia’s inland and maritime trade routes.
Attending officials have underscored the complexity of the marine construction and the long-term economic significance of the project. Laem Chabang’s earlier phases, covering over 8,700 rai, have already established it as one of the region’s leading shipping ports. The current expansion is set to build on that legacy.
