Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), part of the Adani Group, is reportedly considering a significant acquisition: a controlling stake in Associated British Ports (ABP), the United Kingdom's largest port operator. This potential bid aligns with billionaire Gautam Adani's ambitious strategy to expand his global ports empire.
Proposed Acquisition Details
Sources familiar with the matter suggest that APSEZ is eyeing a 63.9% controlling stake in ABP. This stake is currently held by two major Canadian pension funds: the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), which owns 30%, and the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS), holding 33.88%. Both funds have reportedly appointed bankers to manage the sale of their respective shares.
When approached for comment, an Adani Ports spokesperson stated, "We continuously evaluate opportunities that align with our long-term strategy and create sustainable value for all stakeholders. As a matter of policy, we do not comment on market speculation or rumours."
ABP's Extensive Operations
Associated British Ports is a formidable entity in the UK's maritime sector, owning and operating 21 ports across England, Scotland, and Wales. Its portfolio includes key facilities such as Immingham, which stands as the UK's largest port by tonnage, and Southampton, a leading export hub responsible for handling approximately £40 billion worth of exports annually.
ABP's operations extend beyond cargo handling; the company also provides critical operations and maintenance services for over half of the UK's offshore wind sector. In 2025, ABP managed 42.5 million tonnes of bulk cargo and 3.1 million units of container and roll-on, roll-off cargo. The company reported revenues of £819.8 million and an operating profit of £586.5 million, with a significant portion of its revenue secured through long-term customer contracts guaranteeing minimum earnings.
Other notable shareholders in ABP include Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC with 20%, Wren House Infrastructure (owned by the Kuwait Investment Authority) with 10%, and Anchorage Ports LLP, which is owned by Hermes Infrastructure Fund.
Adani Ports' Global Expansion Vision
APSEZ currently operates 15 multi-commodity ports in India, boasting a cargo handling capacity of 653 million tonnes. Internationally, it manages four ports in Israel, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and Australia, with a combined capacity of 144 million tonnes. In the fiscal year 2026, APSEZ handled 501 million tonnes of cargo.
The company has set ambitious targets, aiming to increase its cargo handling capacity to 1 billion tonnes by 2030 and to handle 850 million tonnes of cargo by the same year. To support this growth, APSEZ has planned investments of up to ₹1 lakh crore (approximately $12 billion USD) over the next five years, excluding potential strategic mergers and acquisitions like the proposed ABP deal. As of March end, APSEZ reported cash and cash equivalents of ₹12,193 crore and gross debt of ₹55,103 crore.