Abu Dhabi Ports acquisition of Brazil’s CLI for AED 3.1bn expands group into South America
Abu Dhabi Ports acquires Brazil’s CLI for AED 3.1bn, securing strategic access to bulk-agri export hubs and expanding the group’s South America footprint.
Abu Dhabi Ports has agreed to buy Brazilian bulk-agricultural terminal operator CLI in a transaction valued at AED 3.1 billion (about USD 835 million), marking the group’s formal entry into South America. The Abu Dhabi Ports acquisition of CLI gives the group control of critical export gateways in Brazil and is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary regulatory and antitrust approvals. CLI handled 17 million tonnes of agricultural bulk cargo in 2025 and reported revenues of AED 654 million with an EBITDA of AED 360 million, figures that underpin the strategic rationale for the deal. The acquisition positions Abu Dhabi Ports to leverage new trade flows across its maritime, logistics and free-zone businesses.
Deal terms and ownership stakes
Abu Dhabi Ports reached the agreement to acquire CLI from sellers Macquarie Asset Management and IG4 Capital, according to company disclosures. The purchase price for the acquisition is AED 3.1 billion, equivalent to roughly USD 835 million, and the transaction is structured to transfer ownership once regulatory clearances are obtained. CLI holds full ownership of CLI Norte, which operates at the Itaki port within Brazil’s Northern Arc, and an 80 percent stake in CLI Sul, the operator of a major terminal in the Port of Santos. Abu Dhabi Ports retained financial advisers for the transaction while sellers were advised by Citi; PTG Pactual advised Abu Dhabi Ports on the deal.
CLI terminals and Brazil footprint
CLI Sul at the Port of Santos is a principal export point for sugar and a major gateway for corn and soybeans destined for global markets. CLI Norte serves the Amazon-facing Northern Arc and functions as a vital export corridor for grains produced in Brazil’s northern agricultural basins. Together the two terminals connect large production regions to shipping lanes that supply markets across Asia, Africa and Europe. Control of these terminals gives Abu Dhabi Ports direct access to Brazil’s busiest agricultural export corridors and enhances its ability to orchestrate east–west trade flows.
Strategic rationale for Abu Dhabi Ports’ expansion
Executives at Abu Dhabi Ports view the acquisition as a strategic step to broaden the group’s global footprint and to deepen its presence in the agricultural commodities value chain. The transaction aligns with the group’s stated aim to expand trade corridors linking South America with South Asia, East Africa and Southeast Asia. Officials also signalled that the deal supports wider UAE objectives, including intensified economic engagement with Mercosur partners and the development of diversified global logistics partnerships. The acquisition is expected to create cross-border commercial and operational synergies across the group’s maritime, logistics, digital and economic zone businesses.
Operational performance and anticipated synergies
CLI’s 2025 throughput of 17 million tonnes and its reported profitability provide a solid operational base for Abu Dhabi Ports to build upon. The terminals’ established long-term concession agreements and existing customer contracts offer predictable volume flows that Abu Dhabi Ports plans to integrate into its global network. Management continuity has been agreed as part of the deal, ensuring local operating teams remain in place to preserve service levels and customer relationships during the integration. Abu Dhabi Ports expects to capitalise on shared procurement, fleet coordination and digital platform integration to boost efficiency across the combined portfolio.
Regulatory process and next steps
The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory and antitrust approvals in relevant jurisdictions, with completion targeted in the second half of 2026. Both parties have indicated cooperation with authorities and a commitment to a smooth handover that preserves CLI’s operational role in Brazil’s export chain. Abu Dhabi Ports will move into integration planning once clearances are in place, with an initial focus on aligning safety, environmental and digital operating standards. Stakeholders have been told management teams will continue day‑to‑day operations while strategic planning for capacity enhancement and network integration proceeds.
Abu Dhabi Ports’ purchase of CLI is the group’s largest deal since its acquisition of Nautom in Spain in 2023 for AED 2.65 billion and follows earlier moves such as the 51 percent investment in Global Feeder Shipping in early 2024 for AED 1.9 billion. The company has also pursued long‑term commercial partnerships and terminal investments in Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Jordan in recent years, underscoring a deliberate strategy of building a diversified global terminal and logistics platform. With CLI’s terminals feeding into major agricultural export lanes, Abu Dhabi Ports’ South American entry reshapes its regional reach and creates new options for routing bulk agricultural commodities through its global network.
