Australian infrastructure fund IFM Investors is set to acquire a 68% stake in Associated British Ports (ABP), following months of rumours about possible bidders circling the UK’s largest port owner and operator.

ABP shareholders Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and OMERS today said they agreed to terms with IFM Investors to sell each of their respective 33.9% and 30% stakes in ABP, acquired in 2015 and 2006 respectively.

The price tag was not disclosed, although The Financial Times estimated it to be over £10bn, with the deal seeing IFM shrug off competition from India’s Adani Group, as well as financial investors including Apollo and KKR.

However, it would appear the terms were sweet enough to convince CPP that its 10-year investment cycle in ABP had come to an end.

“This transaction represents an attractive opportunity to realise the value of our long-term investment and recycle capital into new opportunities, helping us deliver strong long-term returns for CPP contributors and beneficiaries, said James Bryce, MD and head of infrastructure at CPP Investments.

According to the CapitalIQ platform, at the end of 2025 ABP boasted revenues of £792.5m and generated a net profit of £393.3m

“As an investor owned by Australian and UK pension funds, this transaction reflects our longstanding commitment to mobilising pension capital into UK infrastructure,” said Kyle Mangini, global head of infrastructure at IFM Investors.

“We look forward to supporting continued development of ABP’s infrastructure and operations, drawing on IFM’s long-term investment approach and experience across ports and other essential infrastructure assets,” he added.

Meanwhile, it is understood that the minority shareholders, such as Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC and Kuwait’s Wren House, will retain their holdings.

“Attracting investment from a fund managed by IFM Investors is a powerful endorsement of our business, our people, and our strategy,” said ABP chief executive Henrik Pedersen.

“We are excited to unlock further growth opportunities, together with IFM Investors and our other shareholders, continuing ABP’s long-term investment benefiting our customers, our local communities, and the UK.”

The deal is expected to close mid-2027.