AD Ports Group has increased its ownership in Global Feeder Shipping (GFS) from 51% to 81% through a AED 1.1 billion (US$300 million) acquisition, strengthening its control over one of the world’s largest container feeder operators. The move enhances the UAE group’s maritime and logistics network across 89 ports in 54 countries while reinforcing trade connectivity and supporting long-term growth in regional shipping and bunkering markets.
Abu Dhabi | June 24, 2026 – AD Ports Group has deepened its commitment to the container feeder shipping sector, announcing the acquisition of an additional 30% stake in Global Feeder Shipping (GFS) for AED 1.1 billion (US$300 million), increasing its ownership in the Dubai-based carrier from 51% to 81%.
The move marks a significant milestone in AD Ports Group’s maritime expansion strategy and further consolidates its position in regional and international container logistics, particularly across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, Africa, Red Sea, Mediterranean and Far East trade corridors.
The acquisition was executed through the exercise of a call option agreed when AD Ports Group initially acquired a controlling 51% stake in GFS in February 2024. Notably, the additional shares were purchased at the same enterprise valuation of AED 3.67 billion (US$1 billion) established during the original transaction.
The deal will be financed through a combination of debt facilities and asset monetisation initiatives, according to the company.
Strategic Control Over a Critical Maritime Asset
The increased ownership gives AD Ports Group greater strategic and operational control over one of its fastest-growing maritime businesses.
GFS has emerged as a cornerstone of the Group’s shipping operations, providing feeder services that connect major transshipment hubs with smaller regional ports. Such services have become increasingly critical as shipping lines seek flexible, cost-efficient solutions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, Red Sea disruptions, shifting trade patterns and supply chain realignments.
Industry observers note that feeder networks have become indispensable in maintaining cargo flows as carriers adjust service rotations and reroute vessels around conflict zones and congested trade corridors. Since joining the AD Ports portfolio, GFS has expanded its network and strengthened connectivity across key emerging markets while helping safeguard cargo movement during periods of market volatility.
“Through the acquisition of an additional 30% stake in Global Feeder Shipping, AD Ports Group is reaffirming its commitment to investing in one of the most important and high-performing assets within our integrated business portfolio,” said Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group.
He noted that GFS has broadened the Group’s market access, connected its ports to additional economies and enhanced trade links throughout the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf regions.
GFS Eyes Further Network and Fleet Expansion
Commenting on the transaction, Amir Maghami, CEO of Global Feeder Shipping, described the increased ownership as a significant milestone in the company’s evolution within the AD Ports Group ecosystem.
“Today marks an important step for GFS as we become more closely integrated into AD Ports Group, reinforcing the strength of our partnership,” Maghami said.
He noted that despite ongoing volatility across global shipping markets, AD Ports Group’s backing has enabled GFS to steadily expand both its service network and fleet capacity. Maghami added that customer-focused operations and operational flexibility remain central to the company’s growth strategy as it seeks to broaden its geographic reach and enhance value for shipping line customers and cargo owners.
“Staying flexible and keeping customers at the centre of what we do has always been our priority, and I am excited to build on this momentum as we broaden our network and deliver even greater value in the months and years ahead,” he added.
This closer integration is expected to support further growth across GFS’s feeder network, which currently connects major container hubs with regional markets spanning the Middle East, Red Sea, Africa, Mediterranean, Indian Subcontinent and Asia.
A Feeder Giant with Global Reach
Founded in the 1990s, Global Feeder Shipping (GFS) has grown into one of the world’s largest independent feeder operators and is currently ranked as the fourth-largest container feeder shipping line globally by capacity.
The company operates an extensive network stretching from the Iberian Peninsula to the Far East, serving ports across the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Africa, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and North Asia.
According to company data, GFS currently:
- Operates feeder services across 89 ports in 54 countries
- Maintains a presence in 88 countries through offices and operational networks
- Handles approximately 2.5 million TEUs annually
- Employs around 1,000 personnel worldwide
- Operates a fleet of 66 vessels
- Conducts more than 32 feeder services globally
The carrier transported 2.8 million TEUs during 2025 and completed more than 700 voyages, underlining the scale of its operations and its importance to regional container supply chains.
Strong Financial Contribution
The acquisition comes after GFS delivered robust financial performance under AD Ports Group ownership. Since the initial investment in February 2024, the feeder operator has generated cumulative EBITDA exceeding AED 1.8 billion (US$500 million), demonstrating strong earnings resilience despite challenging market conditions.
For AD Ports Group, the higher ownership stake translates directly into stronger cash-flow generation and greater earnings consolidation.
The move also enables deeper integration between GFS and the Group’s wider logistics ecosystem, which includes ports, industrial zones, logistics operations, maritime services and digital trade platforms.
Analysts view the transaction as part of AD Ports Group’s broader strategy of securing control over key maritime assets that support end-to-end trade solutions rather than relying solely on port infrastructure revenues.
Growing Importance for Regional Trade
The acquisition underscores the increasing strategic importance of feeder shipping within the Gulf’s maritime landscape.
Feeder operators play a crucial role in connecting smaller regional ports with major hub terminals such as Khalifa Port, Jebel Ali and other transshipment centres. By enabling cargo aggregation and distribution, feeder services help optimise vessel utilisation while extending the reach of global liner networks.
For AD Ports Group, GFS complements existing container shipping assets including SAFEEN Feeders and Transmar, creating a comprehensive feeder platform supporting trade flows into and out of the UAE and surrounding markets.
The network has become particularly valuable as regional economies continue investing heavily in logistics infrastructure and supply chain diversification initiatives.
Implications for Marine Fuel Demand
From a bunkering perspective, the continued expansion of GFS’s feeder operations is expected to support marine fuel demand across several strategic bunkering hubs in the Middle East, Red Sea, Indian Subcontinent and East Africa. Feeder vessels typically operate on fixed regional schedules with frequent port calls, generating consistent demand for conventional marine fuels and, increasingly, lower-carbon alternatives as operators prepare for tightening environmental regulations.
As AD Ports Group deepens its ownership and potentially expands fleet deployment, industry stakeholders will closely watch how vessel utilisation, route development and fuel procurement strategies evolve across the enlarged network. The feeder sector is also expected to play a critical role in the maritime industry’s energy transition, given the suitability of shorter regional routes for alternative fuels and future decarbonisation initiatives.
Maritime Cluster Continues to Drive Growth
The acquisition comes amid strong momentum across AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster. In 2025, the division generated revenue of AED 10.7 billion, representing a 33% year-on-year increase, while EBITDA rose 25% to AED 2.5 billion.
The cluster accounted for 51% of the Group’s total revenue and 45% of overall EBITDA, highlighting the growing importance of maritime operations within AD Ports Group’s diversified business model. With GFS now firmly under majority control, AD Ports Group appears poised to further strengthen its position as a leading regional shipping and logistics powerhouse, while expanding its influence across some of the world’s most strategically important trade routes.
As global supply chains continue to evolve amid geopolitical uncertainty and shifting cargo flows, feeder shipping is increasingly emerging as a critical enabler of trade resilience, and AD Ports Group is betting heavily on its future.
About AD Ports Group
AD Ports Group(ADX: ADPORTS), is a key enabler of trade and logistics, supporting the UAE’s economic diversification and growth. The company’s integrated business model spans across five major clusters: Digital, Economic Cities & Free Zones, Logistics, Maritime & Shipping, and Ports. AD Ports Group connects global maritime routes and international trading partners, offering world-class services across its network of ports and logistics hubs.
Over the years, AD Ports Group has developed into an integrated premier enabler of trade, industrialization, and economic diversification. Established by Emiri Decree and owned by ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies, AD Ports Group continues to play a vital role in the UAE’s long-term economic vision.
Source: AD Ports Group