The USS Cincinnati arrived at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia on Saturday, according to the U.S. Navy, marking the first time a U.S. Navy warship has docked at the facility since its Chinese-funded renovation was completed early last year.
The port call comes after the completion of a new pier and dry dock at Ream fueled concerns in Washington that China — Cambodia’s close ally and main provider of aid and investment — may have been granted exclusive access to the base.
Controversy over Ream has persisted since 2019 over reports of a potential 30-year agreement for Chinese military use of the site on the Gulf of Thailand. The Cambodian government has denied any agreement for exclusive Chinese privileges.
Prime Minister Hun Manet, who oversaw Ream’s reopening in April 2025, has maintained that the base is open to all friendly nations for joint exercises, provided ships are not too large for the facility.
The Cincinnati is an Independence-class littoral combat ship designed to operate close to shore and in shallower waters than other warships. The crew of about 100 is scheduled to engage in sporting events and other activities in the nearby city of Sihanoukville during its Jan. 24-28 visit.
Speaking at the base, deputy commander In Sokhemra told reporters, “At this location our government has worked very hard to build this port so that all foreign vessels that wish to dock in Cambodia can do so.” He added, “We have succeeded in this effort, and we are open from this moment forward for all to enter,” and said, “Whether it is American ships, Australian, Japanese or any other ships that wish to dock in Cambodia, this port is ready for you.”
A Cambodian Navy statement said that from 2003 through 2026, some 37 U.S. warships had made visits to Cambodian facilities. The statement also said the Cincinnati’s port call is an opportunity for the navies of the two countries to cooperate, especially related to human resource training and others.
In a press release Saturday, the U.S. Navy said the visit reaffirms a “shared commitment to regional security, peace and prosperity.” The Navy said the crew will conduct ship tours and meet with key leaders, and Capt. Matt Scarlett said, “We are always excited to work alongside our partners and continue to build a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations,”
The ship’s Cambodia visit coincides with a scheduled meeting between Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha.
The U.S. and Cambodia began efforts to restore warmer relations between their militaries with the 2024 visit of then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who met with Hun Manet to discuss bilateral cooperation in regional security. The article says both men are graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and it describes the USS Savannah’s December 2024 call at Sihanoukville’s civilian port as a follow-up to Austin’s visit.