AD Ports Group, one of the world’s leading port operators and logistics enablers, has completed the acquisition of Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI), Brazil’s foremost independent agri-bulk port terminal operator, in a landmark deal valued at AED 3.1 billion (approximately USD 835 million). The transaction marks the Abu Dhabi-headquartered group’s first foray into Latin America and stands as the largest merger and acquisition transaction in its corporate history.
The deal was announced on 2 June 2026, with CLI’s previous joint owners — global alternative asset manager Macquarie Asset Management and São Paulo-based private equity firm IG4 Capital — divesting their combined stake following a period of sustained operational improvement and financial growth at the Brazilian operator.
A Strategic Beachhead in South America’s Agricultural Heartland
The acquisition positions AD Ports Group as one of South America’s leading independent agri-bulk terminal operators at a time when Brazil’s agricultural export infrastructure is commanding unprecedented global attention. Brazil is currently the world’s largest exporter of soybeans, sugar, and a major supplier of corn — commodities that flow precisely through the two terminals now under AD Ports’ ownership.
CLI operates two strategically located export terminals under long-term government concessions:
- CLI Norte at the Port of Itaqui, in Maranhão state — a critical node in the Northern Arc export corridor, in which CLI holds a 100% stake. The terminal primarily handles grain exports.
- CLI Sul at the Port of Santos, São Paulo — the largest port in Latin America and Brazil’s busiest — in which CLI holds an 80% stake. This terminal is focused on sugar exports.
In 2025, CLI handled a combined 17 million tonnes of agri-bulk cargo across both terminals, generating revenues of USD 178 million and EBITDA of USD 98 million, underscoring the operational strength and cash-generative profile of the business.
A Transformative Step for AD Ports Group
For AD Ports Group, which has built a formidable global presence across port operations, logistics, and maritime services, the CLI acquisition represents a qualitative leap in its agrifood strategy. The group has framed the deal as a “transformative step” — one that provides not only physical infrastructure in South America but also direct access to global agricultural commodity flows at their point of origin.
“This acquisition is a significant milestone in AD Ports Group’s global expansion strategy,” the group said in its official statement. By securing terminals at Santos and Itaqui, the group gains a direct stake in two of Brazil’s most critical export arteries, enabling it to connect Brazilian agricultural output to markets across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond — regions where AD Ports already holds substantial operational footprints.
The deal also accelerates AD Ports’ ambitions in the agrifood sector, a vertical the group has been deliberately building alongside its traditional port and logistics services. CLI’s existing infrastructure, concession contracts, and experienced management team provide an immediate and scalable platform for that growth.
CLI Leadership Remains in Place
In a signal of continuity and confidence, Gabriel Motta, CEO of CLI, will remain in his role following the completion of the transaction, alongside other senior managers of the company.
“The outlook for CLI is highly favorable. We are strategically positioned in the Northern Arc with the operation of the terminal at the Port of Itaqui, in addition to the terminal at the Port of Santos. Both have been showing consistent performance with clear potential to evolve even more,” said Motta.
The retention of leadership is a deliberate strategic choice. AD Ports gains not only physical assets but institutional knowledge of Brazil’s complex regulatory environment, port logistics ecosystem, and commodity trade flows — capabilities that are difficult to replicate and essential for long-term growth in South America.
Sellers Mark a Successful Exit
For Macquarie Asset Management and IG4 Capital, the transaction represents the culmination of a successful value creation journey. Over the course of their ownership, CLI underwent significant operational and financial restructuring, with the two firms positioning it for long-term growth while delivering strong underlying performance.
“Over the past four years, CLI has been positioned with strong operations and solid performance while remaining poised for growth,” the parties noted in their joint statement. The USD 835 million enterprise value reflects the premium quality of CLI’s assets, the durability of its long-term concessions, and the strategic value of its position in Brazil’s agricultural export infrastructure.
Implications for Regional Trade and Global Supply Chains
The acquisition carries broader significance for global commodity markets and trade infrastructure. Brazil’s Northern Arc — the export corridor running from the interior of Mato Grosso and Pará states to the Port of Itaqui — has emerged as a critical alternative to the historically dominant Port of Santos route, offering shorter road distances for central and northern Brazilian grain producers.
AD Ports’ simultaneous presence at both Santos (the country’s largest port) and Itaqui (a growing hub in the Northern Arc) gives the group unparalleled flexibility to manage agricultural cargo flows across Brazil’s evolving logistics geography. As infrastructure investment continues to reshape Brazil’s interior, the strategic value of CLI’s assets is widely expected to appreciate further.
The deal also signals the broader intensification of Gulf-based capital flows into South American infrastructure — a trend driven by the UAE’s ambition to diversify its economic partnerships and secure long-term access to global food supply chains as part of its national food security agenda.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, AD Ports Group is one of the world’s leading facilitators of trade, logistics, and maritime services. Listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), the group operates across five integrated business clusters: Ports, Economic Cities & Free Zones, Logistics, Maritime, and Digital. With a portfolio spanning ports and terminals, free zones, logistics parks, shipping agencies, and digital trade solutions, AD Ports Group manages critical infrastructure across the UAE, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and now South America. The group’s global network is designed to connect markets, enable trade, and support the movement of goods across international corridors.
Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI) is Brazil’s leading independent agri-bulk port terminal operator, headquartered in São Paulo. The company operates two major export terminals under long-term government concessions: CLI Norte at the Port of Itaqui in Maranhão, focused on grain exports from Brazil’s Northern Arc corridor, and CLI Sul at the Port of Santos in São Paulo — the largest port in Latin America — which handles sugar and other agri-bulk commodities. In 2025, CLI handled 17 million tonnes of agri-bulk cargo, generating revenues of USD 178 million and EBITDA of USD 98 million. CLI plays a pivotal role in connecting Brazil’s vast agricultural interior to global markets, serving as a critical link in the global food supply chain.
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