AD Ports Group has acquired an additional 30% stake in Global Feeder Shipping (GFS) for AED 1.1 billion, lifting its total ownership in the Dubai-based container feeder line to 81%.
The transaction was executed through a call option tied to AD Ports' original 51% acquisition in February 2024, valued at the same AED 3.67 billion enterprise valuation, and will be funded through a mix of debt and asset monetisation.
GFS, the world's fourth-largest container feeder shipping line by capacity, transported 2.8 million TEUs across 89 ports in 54 countries in 2025, generating cumulative EBITDA exceeding AED 1.8 billion since the initial acquisition. AD Ports Group's maritime and shipping cluster posted AED 10.7 billion in revenue last year, up 33%, accounting for 51% of group revenue.
Group CEO Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi said the deepened ownership strengthens integration across the company's ports and logistics network amid continued regional trade route disruption.
Gulf Economist Staff Writer