AD Ports Group has agreed to acquire Brazil-based agri-bulk terminal operator CLI in a transaction valued at AED3.1 billion (US$835 million), marking the company’s largest acquisition to date and its first major entry into the South American market.
The deal gives AD Ports Group ownership of one of Brazil’s largest independent agri-bulk terminal platforms and strengthens its position in the global agricultural logistics sector. The transaction remains subject to regulatory and antitrust approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
São Paulo-based CLI operates two major export terminals under long-term concessions: CLI Sul at the Port of Santos and CLI Norte at the Port of Itaqui. Together, the terminals handled 17 million tonnes of agri-bulk cargo in 2025 and generated revenues of AED654 million (US$178 million) with EBITDA reaching AED360 million (US$98 million).
The acquisition expands AD Ports Group’s agrifood business vertical and supports plans to create new trade corridors linking Brazil with Khalifa Port and Abu Dhabi Food Hub in KEZAD, the region’s largest food hub.
CLI Sul, located at the Port of Santos, is Brazil’s leading sugar export terminal and a key gateway for corn and soybean exports. CLI Norte operates at the Port of Itaqui in the country’s fast-growing “Arc of the North” corridor, which has become an increasingly important logistics route for agricultural exports.
The company said the acquisition strengthens its broader international expansion strategy and supports the development of East-West trade routes linking South America with the Indian Subcontinent, East Africa and Southeast Asia.
The transaction surpasses AD Ports Group’s previous largest acquisitions, including the purchase of Spain’s Noatum in 2023 and its stake acquisition in Global Feeder Shipping in 2024. Existing CLI management will remain in place following completion of the deal.
