en.Wedoany.com Reported - Abu Dhabi-listed logistics giant AD Ports has increased its stake in Global Feeder Shipping (GFS) to 81%, acquiring an additional 30% stake for AED 1.1 billion to strengthen control over the business, according to a press release (pdf).

In this transaction, AD Ports exercised a call option obtained when it initially acquired a 51% stake in GFS in early 2024. The purchase price for the additional shares aligns with the same enterprise valuation agreed upon two years ago, valuing the feeder operator at AED 3.67 billion overall. The logistics giant funded the deal through a combination of debt and asset monetization.

GFS operates across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Indian subcontinent, Africa, East Asia, and the Mediterranean region, and AD Ports describes it as one of its most strategically significant assets. Last year, GFS transported 2.8 million TEUs. Since AD Ports acquired its initial stake in 2024, GFS's cumulative EBITDA has exceeded AED 1.8 billion. The higher stake strengthens AD Ports' control over the company, which has expanded AD Ports' network amid heightened trade volatility.

AD Ports stated that, in addition to operations on key corridors, GFS "has experienced sustained maritime disruptions... maintaining and expanding trade connectivity when other operators withdrew, ensuring uninterrupted cargo flow for customers in the GCC region while serving the Indian subcontinent, Red Sea, Far East, Mediterranean, and Africa—reinforcing AD Ports Group's role as a reliable trade facilitator amid volatility."

The logistics giant has steadily expanded its footprint in recent months to hedge against ongoing logistics disruptions. Earlier this month, it entered the Brazilian market by acquiring a terminal operator valued at $835 million. Simultaneously, it is deepening its presence in European logistics networks, expanding operations in Africa, and seeking to secure access to the Middle Corridor.

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