Deal gives Abu Dhabi group first South American foothold with two key export terminals.
Dubai: AD Ports Group has completed its Dh3.1 billion ($835 million) acquisition of Brazilian agri-bulk port operator Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI) after securing the required regulatory and antitrust approvals, marking the Abu Dhabi-based group’s first strategic expansion into South America.
The transaction, first announced in June, is the largest acquisition in AD Ports Group’s history. Following its completion, the group has taken operational control of CLI through Noatum Ports, its international ports operating arm.
The deal received approvals from Brazil’s National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) and the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE).
CLI operates two major agricultural export terminals under long-term concessions at the Ports of Santos and Itaqui, two important gateways for Brazil’s commodity trade. The terminals handle key agricultural products including sugar, corn and soybeans.
Mohammed Al Tamimi, chief executive officer of Noatum Ports at AD Ports Group, said the completion of the acquisition represents an important step in the group’s international expansion and strengthens its presence in one of the world’s leading agricultural export markets.
Building a Brazil-Abu Dhabi trade corridor
AD Ports Group said the acquisition will support the expansion of its agrifoods business while opening new opportunities to connect Brazil’s agricultural exports with its global network of ports, shipping services and logistics infrastructure.
The group plans to develop new direct trade routes linking Brazil with Khalifa Port and the Abu Dhabi Food Hub in KEZAD. The move could establish a new logistics corridor for transporting Brazilian agricultural commodities to the UAE and onward to other international markets.
Strategic role of Brazil’s ‘Arc of the North’
CLI’s Sul terminal at the Port of Santos is a major hub for sugar exports and also handles significant volumes of corn and soybeans.
Its Norte terminal at the Port of Itaqui is part of Brazil’s “Arc of the North”, an important logistics network connecting agricultural production areas in the country’s interior with international export markets.
Fernando Lohmann, head of Macquarie Asset Management in Brazil, said CLI had established a strong position in Brazil’s ports and logistics sector, supported by strategically located assets, operational scale and a resilient customer base.
He added that AD Ports Group is well placed to build on CLI’s existing platform, which plays an important role in Brazil’s trade flows, while supporting the company’s next stage of growth and development.
AD Ports’ global expansion
AD Ports Group has operations spanning ports, maritime and shipping, logistics, economic cities and digital trade services. In recent years, the Abu Dhabi-based group has expanded its international presence through a series of acquisitions and investments across major global trade and logistics markets.
The acquisition of CLI gives AD Ports a direct operational foothold in Brazil, one of the world’s leading exporters of agricultural commodities. The deal also adds export infrastructure at two strategically located Brazilian ports to the group’s growing international portfolio.
AD Ports said it plans to draw on its global network and operational expertise to support CLI’s continued development while strengthening trade connections between South America and markets across the Indian Subcontinent, East Africa and Southeast Asia.
The group said the acquisition is also expected to contribute to more resilient supply chains by improving connections between Brazil’s agricultural production centres and key markets around the world.
