The sale of a controlling stake in Associated British Ports (ABP), valued at approximately £10 billion, has drawn considerable interest from a diverse group of potential bidders. Initial contenders identified in April 2026 included KKR & Co., BlackRock Inc.'s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., and Dubai-based DP World Ltd. These firms were reportedly studying the asset, indicating a competitive process for the UK's largest port operator.
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Omers Administration Corp. are the entities looking to divest their combined 64% stake in ABP. CPPIB holds 33.9% and Omers holds 30%. Other shareholders include Singapore's GIC Pte (20%), Hermes Infrastructure, and Wren House, an investment arm of the Kuwait Investment Authority (10%). ABP operates 21 facilities across England, Scotland, and Wales, handling about 25% of the UK's seaborne trade. In 2025, ABP generated revenue of £819.8 million and an operating profit of £586.5 million, with significant revenue derived from pilotage and conservancy services.
More recently, in July 2026, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India's largest private port operator, emerged as another potential bidder. Adani Ports is reportedly weighing a bid for the 63.9% controlling stake, as part of Gautam Adani's ambitious global expansion strategy to become the world's biggest transport utility by 2031. A spokesperson for APSEZ indicated that the company continuously evaluates opportunities that align with its long-term strategy but declined to comment on market speculation. The potential acquisition would mark Adani's first investment in the UK and offer a foothold in a G7 economy. DP World, another interested party, already operates two deepwater ports in the UK (London Gateway and Southampton) and employs approximately 5,500 people in the country.
