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ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
AD Ports Group has completed its Dh3.1 billion ($835 million) acquisition of Brazilian agri-bulk port terminal operator Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI), marking the group’s first strategic entry into South America.
The transaction, first announced on June 2 this year, was completed after receiving regulatory and antitrust approvals from Brazil’s National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) and the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), a statement from AD Ports Group said. The port operator was acquired from funds managed by Macquarie Asset Management and IG4 Capital.
The acquisition, carried out at an enterprise value of Dh3.1 billion, is the largest in AD Ports Group’s history. Following completion, CLI has become an operational member of the group’s international portfolio.
AD Ports Group, through its international ports operating arm Noatum Ports, has assumed operational control of CLI.
CLI operates two strategically important sugar and grain export terminals at the Ports of Itaqui and Santos in Brazil. CLI Sul, at the Port of Santos, is a leading sugar export terminal that also handles corn and soybeans, while CLI Norte, at the Port of Itaqui, forms part of Brazil’s “Arc of the North”, a key logistics corridor for agricultural exports.
Mohammed Al Tamimi, Chief Executive Officer of Noatum Ports – AD Ports Group, said the completion of the acquisition marked an important development in the group’s international expansion and strengthened its presence in one of the world’s key agricultural export markets.
“The acquisition gives our Group powerful new global reach and capabilities,” Al Tamimi said, adding that Noatum Ports would work to integrate CLI into the group’s existing global operations and expand its portfolio of end-to-end trade solutions.
The acquisition strengthens AD Ports Group’s agrifoods platform and broadens its ability to serve customers across the agricultural supply chain. It also creates opportunities to link Brazilian export flows with the group’s wider network spanning ports, maritime and shipping, logistics, economic cities and digital trade services.
AD Ports Group said the transaction could support new trade links between South America, the Indian Subcontinent, East Africa and Southeast Asia.
Following completion of the deal, the group plans to establish new trade routes directly connecting Brazil with Khalifa Port and Abu Dhabi Food Hub in KEZAD, supporting the movement of Brazilian agricultural commodities into regional and international markets.
Fernando Lohmann, Head of Macquarie Asset Management in Brazil, said CLI had delivered strong growth and built a competitive position in Brazil’s ports and logistics market, supported by strategic assets, operational scale and a resilient customer base.
“With the transaction now completed following all required approvals, AD Ports Group is well positioned to build on that platform,” Lohmann said.
Paulo Todescan L. Mattos, Co-Founder, Managing Partner, Chair and Co-CIO of IG4 Capital Group, said CLI had developed into an important supply-chain provider supporting Brazil’s export and import markets.
“We are proud of the progress achieved in transforming CLI and believe AD Ports Group is well placed to support CLI’s continued development and long-term growth,” he said.
AD Ports Group said the acquisition would allow it to contribute its global ports and logistics expertise to a major agricultural export market while supporting the continued development of Brazil’s trade infrastructure.
