Billionaire Gautam Adani-led Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) is evaluating the acquisition of a controlling stake in Associated British Ports (ABP), the United Kingdom’s largest port operator, in a transaction estimated at nearly $10 billion. The potential deal comes as major Canadian pension funds CPPIB and OMERS look to divest their combined 67% holding in ABP, which operates 21 ports—including Southampton and Immingham—and handles roughly a quarter of the UK’s seaborne trade. If completed, the acquisition would represent the Indian conglomerate’s largest overseas infrastructure transaction to date and its entry into Britain, significantly expanding its international maritime network alongside existing port operations in Israel, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Australia. In response to report disclosures, APSEZ stated in a regulatory filing that while it continuously evaluates strategic growth opportunities, it does not comment on market speculation and has fulfilled all required stock exchange disclosures. The strategic push aligns with Adani’s long-term goal of becoming the world’s largest transport utility by 2031, following strong first-quarter earnings where APSEZ reported a 9% year-on-year increase in net profit to ₹3,620 crore driven by expanding cargo volumes.
Adani Group Eyes Landmark $10 Billion Deal to Acquire Controlling Stake in UK’s Largest Port Operator
