Addleshaw Goddard advises DP World on US$2.4B investment in 3 UAE assets

Addleshaw Goddard advised the Saudi entity on its US$2.4 billion investment in UAE-based DP World’s headquarters assets for global ports and logistics companies.

“Saudi Arabia’s Hassanah Investment Company, representing the General Organization of Social Insurance, the Saudi Arabian Pension and Social Insurance Organization, will invest $2.4 billion in a new joint venture with DP World, through which it will hold approximately 10.2% of the shares in Jakarta. Belari Port, Jebel Ali Free Zone and National Industrial Park,” the company said in a statement.

Hassana’s investment represents a combined enterprise value of about $23 billion for the three flagship properties, the firm said.This is the second transaction following DP World’s sale of strategic minority stakes in three UAE assets first gear The $5 billion investment successfully closed in June 2022.

Jebel Ali Port, Jebel Ali Free Zone and National Industrial Park collectively have a solid long-term growth record, the company said. “Combined, they form a world-class integrated ecosystem for the supply and logistics chains of more than 8,700 companies worldwide, serving more than 3.5 billion people worldwide,” it said.

The Addleshaw Goddard team, led by partner Ian Le Pelley, acted as joint advisors to DP World alongside Clifford Chance. DP World’s legal team is led by James Pointon, Vice President Legal, assisted by Group Counsel Angela Wang.

“It was a pleasure advising DP World on a complex second tranche investment in three of its major UAE assets. Jebel Ali Port is the largest international gateway port in the Middle East, Jebel Ali Free Zone is the largest free zone and these key Infrastructure assets play an important role in the global economy,” Le Pelet said.

“This partnership will help strengthen DP World’s assets and enable DP World to capture the significant growth potential in the wider market. In addition, this investment will further strengthen DP World’s balance sheet and support its World Group’s goal of achieving a strong investment grade rating.”

We contacted law firm Clifford Chance for comment.