Acquisition
APM Terminals Acquires 37.5% Stake in DP World’s Jeddah Southern Container Terminal
•February 19, 2026
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Why It Matters
The investment guarantees Maersk secure, scalable capacity at a pivotal Middle‑East hub, reinforcing its supply‑chain reach and supporting Saudi Arabia’s port‑expansion agenda. It also deepens carrier concentration in Jeddah, which could shape freight pricing and service reliability across the Red Sea corridor.
Key Takeaways
- •APM acquires 37.5% stake in Jeddah terminal.
- •DP World keeps operational control with 62.5% share.
- •Maersk gains strategic access to Saudi Red Sea hub.
- •Stake aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 port expansion.
- •Carrier ownership now includes Maersk, Cosco, CMA CGM.
Pulse Analysis
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has placed ports at the heart of its diversification strategy, and Jeddah Islamic Port is a linchpin in that plan. The Southern Container Terminal, originally launched by DP World in 2001, has been upgraded through a 30‑year build‑operate‑transfer concession, positioning it as a high‑capacity gateway for trade flowing between Asia, Europe, and Africa. By bringing APM Terminals on board, DP World not only secures additional capital for further modernization but also taps into Maersk’s global network to boost cargo volumes and operational efficiency.
For Maersk, the minority stake is a calculated move to lock in reliable infrastructure in a region where geopolitical volatility can disrupt routes. With three carrier shareholders now present—Maersk via APM, Cosco, and CMA CGM—the Jeddah terminals are becoming a shared asset that can accommodate the anticipated surge in traffic as vessels return to the Suez Canal. This alignment reduces reliance on single‑operator agreements, offering shippers more flexible scheduling and potentially smoother rate negotiations, especially as Gemini’s Asia‑Europe services expand their Red Sea calls.
The broader market sees this as a signal that major shipping lines are willing to invest directly in terminal assets to safeguard capacity and influence port governance. Such equity stakes often translate into preferential berth allocations and collaborative technology upgrades, which can lower turnaround times and improve supply‑chain resilience. As Saudi Arabia continues to pour billions into its maritime corridor, stakeholders can expect further joint‑venture projects, heightened competition for cargo, and a gradual shift toward integrated terminal‑carrier ecosystems that drive efficiency across the global trade network.
Deal Summary
APM Terminals announced the acquisition of a 37.5% minority stake in DP World’s Southern Container Terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port for an undisclosed price, marking its entry into the Saudi Arabian port market. DP World will retain the remaining 62.5% and continue to operate the facility under a 30‑year BOT concession extension.
Article
Source: The Loadstar
APM buys minority stake in DP World’s Jeddah facility
By Gavin van Marle – 19 February 2026
Photo: DP World
APM Terminals today marked its entrance to the Saudi Arabia port market, agreeing to acquire a 37.5 % minority stake in DP World’s Southern Container Terminal in the Red Sea port of Jeddah for an undisclosed price.
DP World said it would retain the remaining 62.5 % and “continue to lead the operations at the facility”, which it originally entered in 2001, and subsequently signed a 30‑year build‑operate‑transfer (BOT) concession extension in 2019.
“Saudi Arabia is a strategic market for DP World, and Jeddah Islamic Port has been central to our growth in the Kingdom for more than two decades,” said Yuvraj Narayan, DP World CEO.
“Since securing the concession in 2019, we have transformed the Southern Container Terminal into a modern, high‑capacity gateway, further strengthening Jeddah’s position as a leading Red Sea hub in support of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030,” he added.
The deal is unlikely to lead to much reshuffling in the way of shipping services, as Maersk’s three current services into the port – Gemini’s Med‑Jeddah loops 1, 2 and 3 – already call at the South Container Terminal.
However, the carrier’s appetite to resume Suez Canal transits will likely see further calls added when the Gemini Asia‑Europe and Asia‑east‑coast North America services resume the Red Sea route, with several calls at the port on the trans‑Suez pro‑forma schedule versions published by Gemini, although it is not on the rotation of Gemini’s India‑Med Loop which recently resumed Suez transits.
“This investment secures long‑term access to quality infrastructure and strengthens our ability to support customers with reliable, scalable capacity in the Kingdom,” said Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals.
“Jeddah Islamic Port is a vital gateway to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a key hub in our customers’ supply chains. We are pleased to invest in the Southern Container Terminal and to deepen our presence in Saudi Arabia through this strategic step. Jeddah is one of the region’s most important trade corridors,” he added.
The deal means that through Maersk’s ownership of APM Terminals, there are now three carrier shareholders in Jeddah’s facilities, with Cosco already holding minority stakes in the North Container Terminal and the Red Sea Gateway Terminal 1.
In October, CMA CGM signed a joint‑venture deal with Saudi Ports Authority to develop the US$450 million Red Sea Gateway Terminal 2.
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