November 30, 2023
PHNOM PENH – A Russian destroyer has docked in Preah Sihanouk province for a four-day visit from November 26-29 to foster bilateral cooperation with Cambodia.
The National Committee for Maritime Security stated on its social media on November 26 that the Admiral Panteleyev 548 weighs 7,595 tonnes, is 162.8 metres in length, has a beam of 19.02 metres and a draft of 6.2 metres.
The destroyer has a crew of 388, and is captained by Admiral Roman Mokhov.
“The docking of the Russian destroyer at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port aims to advance bilateral military cooperation, as well as support the visit of the crew for four days,” said the National Committee for Maritime Security.
On November 27, Admiral Roman Mokhov met with Mang Sinet, deputy provincial governor of Preah Sihanouk, for discussions.
“Welcome the arrival of the Russian anti-submarine naval vessel of the Pacific Fleet Admiral Panteleyev 548 to the seaport of Sihanoukville, said Russian ambassador Anatoly Borovik on X (formerly Twitter), on November 26.
“This is the first Russian warship call to the Kingdom since Covid-19. We are on the way to strengthening ties between the navies of Russia and Cambodia,” he added.
In October, Borovik met with Prime Minister Hun Manet, with talks centred on boosting bilateral relation between the two countries, with the docking of the vessel and next year’s visit of the Cambodian Senate president to Russia as drivers.
Separately, the crew and captain of a tourist cruise liner thanked the Preah Sihanouk provincial authorities for their excellent hospitality and care for the tourists who visited the province through Angkor T.K Travel & Tours, according to provincial administration spokesman Kheang Phearom.
Phearom took to social media on November 27, to share that Chaiyapruk Phum Muang, CEO of Angkor T.K Travel & Tours had provided positive feedback to the provincial administration regarding the docking of tourist ships in November.
“The crews of each ship expressed their gratitude and admiration to the Preah Sihanouk provincial administration for the care they took of visitors. The guests felt safe and warm, and this reflects positive steps for the province.
“They profoundly thanked the provincial administration for their support and pledged to work with each other in the future,” Phearom said, citing the account of Chaiyapruk Phum Muang, adding that an increase in the number of ships docking in the province is a positive sign of a post-Covid-19 recovery.
According to the company, three liners docked in Sihanoukville port in November.
“We, at Angkor TK, are proud of what we accomplished. Many more are coming and we are ready,” it said, via social media.