Skip to main content

UAE's AD Ports Group bets $835 million on Brazil's agricultural powerhouse

1 min Sandrine Zimra

UAE-based AD Ports Group has acquired Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI), Brazil's leading independent agri-bulk port terminal operator, for an enterprise value of $835 million (AED 3.1 billion), marking the group's first entry into Latin America.

The deal, AD Ports Group's largest acquisition to date, surpassing its $720 million purchase of Spain's Noatum in 2023 © Mena Today 

The deal, AD Ports Group's largest acquisition to date, surpassing its $720 million purchase of Spain's Noatum in 2023 © Mena Today 

UAE-based AD Ports Group has acquired Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI), Brazil's leading independent agri-bulk port terminal operator, for an enterprise value of $835 million (AED 3.1 billion), marking the group's first entry into Latin America.

CLI operates two strategically vital terminals under long-term concessions: CLI Sul, Brazil's largest sugar export terminal at the Port of Santos, and CLI Norte, a key grains gateway at the Port of Itaqui in the Amazon-linked "Arc of the North" corridor. In 2025, the two terminals handled a combined 17 million tonnes of agri-bulk cargo, generating revenues of $178 million and EBITDA of $98 million.

The deal, AD Ports Group's largest acquisition to date, surpassing its $720 million purchase of Spain's Noatum in 2023, was agreed with joint sellers Macquarie Asset Management and IG4 Capital, and is subject to regulatory approval, with completion expected in the second half of the year.

"This transaction is a game changer for AD Ports Group," said Group CEO Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, highlighting plans to develop a major East-West trade corridor linking South America to the Indian Subcontinent, East Africa and Southeast Asia.

The acquisition reinforces AD Ports Group's agrifood strategy, alongside recent investments in terminals in Kazakhstan, Jordan, Pakistan and Spain. Brazil, the world's largest sugar exporter accounting for 40-50% of global supply, represents a cornerstone of that ambition.

Sandrine Zimra

Sandrine Zimra

Sandrine Zimra has been a financial analyst for 25 years. Based in Geneva, she covers countries in the Middle East and travels regularly to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, and Israel. She contributes to Mena Today with her financial reports and insights on the region.

Related

United Arab Emirates

UAE economy hits $517 billion as non-oil sectors power ahead

The United Arab Emirates posted robust economic growth of 6.2% in 2025, with real GDP reaching 1.9 trillion AED ($517 billion), according to data released Sunday by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.

United Arab Emirates

Double gold for UAE in 400m at Asian U20 championships

The UAE national athletics team claimed two gold medals in the 400m events at the 22nd Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, bringing their total tally to three medals at the ongoing competition.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.