According to multiple sources familiar with the matter cited by the *Financial Times* on July 29, Asia's richest man, Gautam Adani—chairman of India's Adani Group—is considering launching a takeover bid for Associated British Ports (ABP). If the deal goes through, it would mark the Indian industrialist's first direct investment in the UK and would be another blockbuster transaction in the global maritime infrastructure sector.

ABP is the UK's largest port group, handling about a quarter of the nation's maritime trade volume. It operates 21 ports across key hubs in England, Scotland, and Wales. Currently, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) hold 34% and 33% stakes respectively in the port group, while asset manager Federated Hermes owns about 6%.

The *Financial Times* reported in February this year that the two Canadian funds were planning to exit and were hoping for an overall valuation of the port operator in excess of £10 billion (approximately RMB 90 billion).

Sources revealed that Adani's interest emerged against this backdrop, but discussions remain at an early stage. Even if they proceed, a deal is unlikely to be completed within the year, and the group has not ruled out seeking a partner for a joint acquisition.

For the Adani Group, acquiring ABP would not only mean a direct entry into core UK port assets but is also seen as a "strategic springboard into G7 economies."

One source commented: "This offers a rare opportunity to establish a foothold in a G7 country and open up broader business prospects. There are almost no comparable assets available for acquisition in the global market right now." A spokesperson for Adani Group's port business responded that the company "does not comment on market speculation or rumours" but "continuously evaluates various opportunities that align with its long-term strategy."

Other major shareholders of ABP include Singapore's GIC, which holds 20%, and Kuwait Investment Authority's Wren House Infrastructure, which holds 10%. If Adani ultimately succeeds in the bid, it would not only reshape the UK port operation landscape but also become one of the largest cross-border acquisitions in the global maritime sector by Indian capital.

According to Forbes' June data, Gautam Adani's net worth had risen to $89.2 billion, making him Asia's richest man once again, surpassing India's Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani ($88 billion) and Japan's SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son ($87 billion).