AD Ports Group has taken a major strategic step in its international expansion with its largest acquisition to date, moving into South America through a deal valued at AED3.1bn ($835m) for Brazilian agri-bulk terminal operator Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI).
The acquisition marks a first entry into the region for the Abu Dhabi-based ports and logistics giant and is positioned as a key milestone in strengthening its fast-growing agrifoods vertical, while laying the foundations for broader expansion across Latin America.
CLI operates two strategically important agricultural export terminals in Brazil. CLI Sul, located at the Port of Santos, is a major hub for sugar exports as well as corn and soybean shipments. CLI Norte, located at the Port of Itaqui, serves as a critical node in Brazil’s expanding “Arc of the North” export corridor, which has become increasingly important for global agricultural trade flows.
The transaction is still subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of the year, but it already represents a significant shift in AD Ports’ global footprint, extending its network into one of the world’s most important agri-commodity exporting regions.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group CEO of AD Ports Group, described the acquisition as a defining moment for the group’s international strategy.
“The transaction extends our international reach for the first time into Latin America and deepens our growing agrifoods activities, one of our core verticals,” he said.
Following the deal, AD Ports Group plans to develop new East-West trade corridors linking Brazil with the Indian subcontinent, East Africa, Southeast Asia and the UAE, including direct connectivity to Khalifa Port and the Abu Dhabi Food Hub, reinforcing its ambition to integrate global supply chains across multiple regions.
CLI handled 17 million tonnes of agri-bulk cargo in 2025, generating revenues of AED654m ($178m) and EBITDA of AED360m ($98m), highlighting the scale and profitability of the assets now joining AD Ports’ portfolio.
Brazil’s position as the world’s largest sugar exporter and a leading exporter of soybeans, corn and coffee further underlines the strategic value of the acquisition, particularly as global demand for food supply chain infrastructure continues to rise.
Macquarie Asset Management, one of the sellers, said AD Ports is “ideally positioned to support CLI’s next phase of growth”, while IG4 Capital highlighted the UAE group’s “global trade expertise, infrastructure capabilities and a long-term vision”.
The deal surpasses all previous acquisitions made by AD Ports Group, including Spain-based Noatum in 2023 and its majority stake in Global Feeder Shipping in 2024, confirming the group’s accelerating ambition to position itself as a truly global logistics and maritime player.
