AD Ports Group Completes US$835 Million Acquisition of CLI in Brazil

AD Ports Group completed the acquisition of Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI), Brazil's leading independent operator of agribulk port terminals, in a deal valued at US$835 million (AED 3.1 billion). This is the largest acquisition in the group's history and represents its first strategic foray into South America, according to AD Ports Group, Portal Portuario and Seatrade Maritime.

The transaction had been announced on June 2, 2026, and was finalized after customary closing conditions were met, including regulatory and antitrust approvals. AD Ports Group received clearance from Brazil's National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) and the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), paving the way for the deal's completion. CLI was acquired from funds managed by Macquarie Asset Management and IG4 Capital.

CLI operates two agribulk export terminals under long-term concessions: 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, is part of the logistics corridor known as the "Arco do Norte" for Brazilian agricultural exports. Both facilities connect Brazil's producing regions with international markets and have already been integrated into AD Ports Group's international portfolio through its Noatum Ports division.

According to Seatrade Maritime, CLI handled 17 million tonnes of bulk agricultural cargo in 2025, generating revenue of US$178 million and gross operating profit of US$98 million. The same source noted that the Santos operation combines the integrated T16 and T19 terminals, 80% of which was acquired by CLI from Rumo in November 2022, with Rumo retaining the remaining 20%; at the time, the two terminals had a combined annual capacity of 16 million tonnes, split between grains and sugar.

Mohammed Al Tamimi, CEO of Noatum Ports–AD Ports Group, said the acquisition strengthens the group's presence in one of the world's most important agricultural export markets and that efforts will focus on quickly integrating CLI into existing global operations. Fernando Lohmann, head of Macquarie Asset Management in Brazil, highlighted CLI's growth and its competitive position in the Brazilian port and logistics market. Following the closing, AD Ports Group plans to establish new direct trade routes between Brazil, Khalifa Port and the Abu Dhabi Food Hub at KEZAD, linking Brazilian agricultural flows with regional and international markets, including the Indian subcontinent, East Africa and Southeast Asia.