Adani Ports Evaluates Bid for Controlling Stake in Associated British Ports

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) is evaluating a potential bid for a controlling stake in Associated British Ports (ABP), the largest port operator in the United Kingdom. The target acquisition involves approximately 63.9% of the company, currently held by two Canadian pension funds: the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System.

Bankers have been hired to sell these holdings, with a potential transaction valuing ABP at more than £10 billion. ABP manages 21 ports across England, Scotland, and Wales, handling roughly 25% of the UK's seaborne trade and supporting over half of the offshore wind sector's operations and maintenance.

The move aligns with the broader strategy of Gautam Adani to establish the world's largest transport utility by 2031 and reach an annual cargo handling capacity of 1 billion tonnes by 2030. APSEZ has declined to comment on the reports, stating that as a matter of policy it does not comment on market speculation or rumors.