World’s second-largest shipping company’s investment arm moves to acquire port operators in Singapore and Belgium in deal covering two African countries

The proposed acquisitions involve 100% of Singapore-based Portek International and a 53.35% controlling stake in Thaumas N.V., the parent company of Belgium’s Euroports.

Together, the businesses operate more than 50 terminals across Europe and China, alongside seven additional terminals spanning Africa, Asia and Europe, including facilities in Algeria and Gabon.

A.P. Moller Capital announced its agreement to acquire Portek from Japan’s Mitsui & Co. on October 15, 2026, through its Emerging Markets Infrastructure Fund II.

The announcement followed a September 28 agreement to acquire the controlling stake in Euroports’ parent company from shareholders including R-Logitech.

Both transactions remain subject to regulatory approvals, and their purchase prices have not been disclosed. Belgian investment institutions SFPIM and PMV will retain stakes in Euroports after completion.

Euroports operates more than 50 deep-sea and inland terminals across 10 European countries and China, handling over 70 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Its facilities serve agricultural and industrial supply chains, moving fertilisers, metals, minerals, forest products and other commodities through international trading centres.

According to figures cited by ratings agency Moody’s, Euroports generated €1.028 billion in revenue in 2024, an 11% increase from the previous year.

The company also recorded €108 million in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), with its wider operations including freight-forwarding services.

A.P. Moller Capital chief executive Kim Fejfer said the investment reflected the importance of secure international trade networks.

“In a changing world, resilient supply chains and secure trade flows are increasingly essential to economic stability and growth,” Fejfer said.

Alongside Euroports’ established European network, Portek would add container handling, vehicle shipments, bulk cargo operations and port engineering services to the Danish investor’s portfolio.

The Singapore-based operator’s terminals handle seven million tonnes of bulk cargo, 700,000 containers and 90,000 vehicles annually.

Portek’s operations in Algeria and Gabon form the African component of the proposed acquisition, adding established maritime facilities to A.P. Moller Capital’s international portfolio.

In Algeria, Portek operates Bejaia Mediterranean Terminal through a partnership with the local port authority. The facility has an annual container-handling capacity of 300,000 TEUs and supports international shipping.

In Gabon, Portek operates through Gabon Port Management, which manages facilities at Owendo, near Libreville, and Port-Gentil, handling containers, vehicles and general cargo.

The acquisitions would strengthen A.P. Moller Capital’s existing African infrastructure investments by adding ownership stakes in established port operators rather than purchasing ports outright or building new facilities.

If completed, the deals would expand its interests in container terminals, cargo handling and international logistics networks, including those serving African trade routes.