AD Ports Group Buys Brazil Agri-Bulk Terminals for $835M

AD Ports Group has significantly expanded its global footprint by acquiring Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI), Brazil's premier independent operator of agri-bulk port terminals. This strategic transaction, valued at an enterprise value of $835 million (AED3.1 billion), marks the Abu Dhabi-based entity's largest acquisition to date and establishes a formidable presence in the vital South American agricultural export market.

The deal grants AD Ports Group immediate access to two critical terminals: CLI Sul, the leading sugar export facility in Brazil and a key hub for corn and soybean shipments at the Port of Santos, and CLI Norte, a significant grain gateway situated in the Port of Itaqui. This latter port is a cornerstone of the 'Arc of the North,' a burgeoning logistical corridor vital for channeling agricultural output from Brazil's vast interior to international markets. The acquisition is anticipated to finalize in the latter half of the year, pending regulatory approvals.

This move positions AD Ports Group as a major player in South America's logistics infrastructure, aligning with its strategic objective to bolster its agrifoods vertical. Brazil, a global powerhouse in agricultural commodities, accounting for approximately 40-50% of worldwide sugar exports and ranking among the top grain suppliers, presents a compelling growth environment. CLI's terminals are strategically positioned to capitalize on this, connecting Brazil's productive heartland with global demand. In 2025, CLI handled 17 million tonnes of cargo, generating $178 million in revenue and $98 million in EBITDA, underscoring its operational scale and profitability.

The acquisition was facilitated through the purchase of CLI from its joint owners, Macquarie Asset Management and IG4 Capital. AD Ports Group will assume full ownership of CLI Norte and an 80% stake in CLI Sul. The existing senior management team of CLI is expected to remain in place, ensuring continuity and leveraging their deep market expertise. This acquisition follows AD Ports Group's substantial AED2.65 billion purchase of Spain's Noatum in 2023, signaling a clear pattern of aggressive international expansion.

This strategic entry into Latin America is more than just geographic diversification; it serves as a crucial stepping stone for AD Ports Group's broader ambition to develop a significant East-West trade route. This proposed corridor would link South America's largest economy with key markets in the Indian Subcontinent, East Africa, and Southeast Asia. The UAE's ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Mercosur, the South American trade bloc that includes Brazil, further enhance the strategic alignment of this acquisition.

The operational advantages of CLI's terminals are amplified by the structural constraints and limited expansion capacity at key Brazilian ports, particularly Santos. These factors are expected to support sustained utilization and pricing power for the acquired assets. As Brazil's agricultural export sector continues its robust performance, AD Ports Group is well-positioned to benefit from long-term demand trends, reinforcing its global logistics network and its commitment to facilitating international trade in essential commodities.