APM Terminals’ acquisition of Estaleiro Atlântico Sul (EAS) was awarded Transport Acquisition of the Year in Latin America.

Judges called the deal innovative as it will be the first 100% electrified terminal in Latin America.

Members of the independent judging panel were impressed by the complex nature of the transaction and noted advisers’ ability to navigate the legal, insolvency, and regulatory challenges, ensuring a smooth transition and future development of the terminal.

The AP Moller-Maersk subsidiary bought the asset for BRL 455 million ($78m) through a public auction held within EAS’s judicial recovery process.

The transaction involved the purchase of all shares issued by Atlântico Sul Empreendimentos, which will hold all properties, licenses, and assets located in Suape, Pernambuco, Brazil, for the development of a new port terminal.

APM Terminals Suape will be the first 100% electrified terminal in Latin America and will have modern infrastructure, fully planned to meet customer needs, with pioneering initiatives in port sustainability.

Operations at the terminal will commence with an initial capacity of 400,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), representing an additional 55% capacity in the port complex.

The submission said: “This transaction was complex due to its context within EAS’s judicial recovery and the public auction process, where APM Terminals participated as the stalking horse bidder. The acquisition enables APM Terminals to develop a new container and general cargo terminal in Suape, representing a significant investment of BRL 2.6 billion. The project will increase the port’s capacity by 55%, driving economic growth in northeastern Brazil.”

Advisers to APM Terminals:

• Machado Meyer – legal

Advisers to EAS:

• Lefosse Advogados – legal