With foreign investor interest, port sector prepares for M&A spree

The Brazilian port sector is heading towards a new wave of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), as the interest of foreign investors in the assets grows, amid accelerated activity in the segment. Current negotiations total at least R$7 billion, considering only the controlling shareholders’ stake in the publicly traded companies for sale. Sources involved in the deals say the interest can be explained by the link of ports, agribusiness, and the oil and gas sector, as well as large global operators seeking consolidation.

At the moment, at least four assets are for sale, according to sources: Wilson Sons, CLI (Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura), Porto Sudeste, and Santos Brasil. “We see a movement from global operators,” said a source who spoke on condition of anonymity. According to the source, shipowners are positioned to face market consolidation. In Brazil, the focus is on the Southeast region. According to the source, these large operators are leading the current trend, as they direct global product flows.

The sale of Wilson Sons’s control to the U.S. infrastructure fund I Squared is expected to be the first deal in the sector, according to people familiar with the matter. The sale of Ocean Wilsons’ stake in Wilson Sons is an old process in the market, but only recently it has accelerated. The company boasts a market capitalization of R$7.3 billion on the stock exchange, according to Valor Data, based on the closing of August 22. The parent company holds a 56.5% stake.

The asset was put on the block in 2011 but the operation did not take off. The main challenge at that time was pricing, combined with the difficulty of finding a group with interest in all of the company’s assets. The company operates successful but relatively small container terminals, in addition to tugboat services, offshore assets, and logistics centers. BTG Pactual is advising the sellers in the process. Bank of America and Santander work for I Squared, according to sources.

The asset manager, which has around $40 billion in infrastructure assets under management worldwide, opened an office in Brazil in mid-2023 and has since announced the acquisition of 49% of the distributed generation company Órigo Energia.

The process for the sale of CLI is also being discussed, Valor found. The current owners—Australia-based Macquarie Asset Management and asset manager IG4 Capital—engaged Citi in the process, according to sources speaking on condition of anonymity.

A person familiar with the matter said the process is undergoing initial studies and potential interested parties have not yet been identified. IG4’s exit is seen as natural, as the private equity manager entered the business at the end of 2020. Macquarie, which bought a stake in the company in 2022 and has a longer-term vision, would not necessarily exit the business, sources say. CLI operates grain terminals in the ports of Itaqui (Maranhão) and Santos (São Paulo)—the latter, in partnership with Rumo, which has 20%.

Mubadala is also seeking a buyer for Porto Sudeste, according to sources. UBS BB and Goldman Sachs were hired to advise on the deal, people familiar with the matter say.

“This type of activity in Brazil will continue to be active and most ports have exposure to commodities—grain or liquids (oil)—which remains accelerated,” one source told Valor. According to this person, the sector will require massive investment, leading to more growth, which has attracted global interest. In addition to large infrastructure funds, the sector has also been closely watched by trading companies. The fact that port revenues are pegged to the dollar—even if indirectly—has also helped increase foreign investors’ interest in the assets.

A source says Chinese interest has attracted attention, including the giant China Merchants Port.

Another port asset that could be a target for acquisition is Santos Brasil, which operates container terminals and, more recently, liquid bulk as well. The company is a mature investment by Opportunity, its main controlling shareholder. In recent years, Maersk and MSC, shipping groups operating container terminals in Santos with plans to expand operations in the port, have been identified as the main interested parties. However, sources say there are no conversations at the moment.

People familiar with the matter say the company’s price was too high for negotiation in recent months, amidst accelerated activity and queues in Santos. However, the scenario could change if the project for a new container terminal in Santos, called STS10, advances. After a statement by Minister of Ports and Airports Silvio Costa Filho that the bidding could be carried out in 2025, Santos Brasil shares plummeted 8.9% on Thursday (22) and closed the trading session at R$12.62.

In any case, sources say the process has cooled down. Furthermore, the discussion about STS10 hinges on a series of decisions, and there may be positive factors for the company, including a possible terminal expansion, which is also on the government’s agenda.

The port of Itapoá is also expected to undergo a future M&A deal, sources say. It’s controlled by Portinvest, a vehicle formed by the Battistella group and asset manager BRZ. Maersk is a minority shareholder with 30% of the company. People close to the group, however, deny interest in selling the asset. One of them argues that the company is undergoing an expansion phase and it would not be the time for the current partners to exit.

Rafael Schwind, from law firm Justen Pereira, points out that the interest of foreigners in the port sector in Brazil is nothing new and has been noticed over the last decade. “Today we see this interest once again, whether in auctions or in acquiring control,” he said. Mr. Schwind also emphasizes that foreign investors have little presence in this sector and that, as a result, there is room for increasing participation.

Casemiro Tercio, a port sector specialist at 4 Infra, points out that foreign investor interest also occurs among agribusiness groups, for example, seeking verticalization. “The verticalization of agribusiness would eliminate transaction costs,” he points out. On the side of financial investors, such as funds, the focus is on mature assets, the expert says. In the container segment, he explains, protection is behind companies’ interests. “These companies seek assets to protect their business, which is shipment,” he says.

Marcos Pinto, managing partner at A&M Infra, agrees that shipping groups should increasingly seek investment in ports, especially with the arrival of large ships in the country.

Wilson Sons, I Squared, IG4, Macquarie, Mubadala, Opportunity, BRZ, and China Merchants declined to comment.

Translation: Liliana Hage

Source: Valor International; original reporting available through https://valorinternational.globo.com/business/news/2024/08/23/with-foreign-investor-interest-port-sector-prepares-for-manda-spree.ghtml

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