Receives full regulatory approvals
The transaction, announced on 2 June 2026, was completed following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory and antitrust approvals. AD Ports Group received the necessary approvals from Brazil’s National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) and the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), enabling the transaction to proceed to completion.
The acquisition was conducted at an enterprise value of AED 3.1bn (US$ 835mn), making it the largest acquisition in the Group’s history. With the closing now finalised, CLI has become an operational member of AD Ports Group’s international portfolio and represents the Group’s first strategic entry into South America.
End-to-end trade solutions
“AD Ports Group, through its international ports operating arm Noatum Ports, is committed to quickly integrating CLI into our existing global operations, to further expand the range and relevance of our portfolio of global end-to-end trade solutions,” asserted Mohammed Al Tamimi, Chief Executive Officer, Noatum Ports–AD Ports Group.
“With the transaction now completed following all required approvals, AD Ports Group is well positioned to build on that platform, which has clear relevance to Brazil’s trade flows, and support CLI’s next phase of development,” noted Fernando Lohmann, Head of Macquarie Asset Management, Brazil.
Long term growth
“We are proud of the progress achieved in transforming CLI and believe AD Ports Group is well placed to support CLI’s continued development and long-term growth,” added Paulo Todescan L. Mattos, Co-Founder, Managing Partner, Chair, and Co-CIO, IG4 Capital Group.
CLI operates two strategically important agri-bulk 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, forms part of Brazil’s ‘Arc of the North’, an important logistics corridor for agricultural exports.
