Hutchison Ports and the Pritzker Family Business Interests (“PFBI”), advised by The Pritzker Organization, L.L.C. (“TPO”), has announced that the leading Hong Kong-based port operator has agreed to partner with NAWAH Port Management, L.L.C. (NPM) to manage existing and future operations at the historic Port of Basra in southern Iraq. Hutchison Ports will assume oversight of day-to-day commercial and operational activities at NPM, operating under the name of Hutchison Ports Basra.
NPM is a containerized terminal operator at the Port of Basra located along the Shatt Al Arab waterway in Iraq. The company services the shipping needs for a full spectrum of customers across Iraq – from large, multinational companies to local Iraqi merchants. NPM’s proximity to the city center and major oilfields, and its operations are viewed as key competitive advantages versus other ports in the region.
“We view NPM’s operations at the Port of Basra as an integral piece of our expanding Middle East strategy and are excited about the opportunities this partnership creates,” said Andy Tsoi, Hutchison Ports’ Managing Director – Middle East and Africa. “We believe strongly in the growth story of Basra, Iraq, and the Middle East as a whole and are delighted to have the opportunity to participate in and support the growth of the business over the long term.”
Eric Clark, CEO of NPM, said, “Hutchison Ports has an exceptional team and a proven track record of delivering value to its customers, employees and the regions in which it invests. We are delighted for the opportunity to partner with one of the leaders in the industry – a company which shares our vision of NPM as both a unique maritime asset in southern Iraq as well as strategic platform in the epicenter of one of the fastest growing regions in the world.”
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP served as legal advisor to Hutchison Ports and Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor to the PFBI during the deal process.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Source: Hutchison Ports