MUMBAI: A Billionaire's Strategic Shift

In a bold financial maneuver, billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani plans to transfer the ownership of an Australian port terminal to his publicly listed enterprise for a staggering $2 billion. This strategic transaction involves Adani Ports issuing preferential shares to Carmichael Rail and Port Singapore Holdings, a key entity under the Adani family's umbrella.

Stake and Shareholding Implications

The issuance of preferential shares is set to grant Carmichael Rail a 6.2% stake in Adani Ports, elevating it to a promoter status within the Mumbai-listed company. This adjustment will increment the total promoter shareholding in Adani Ports from 66% to 68%, marking a significant consolidation of family control.

Valuation and Future Prospects

Grounding this non-monetary transaction are valuation reports from GT Valuation and SBI Capital Markets. The North Queensland Export Terminal, initially acquired by Adani Ports in 2011 and later sold to the Adani family in 2013 for $2 billion, boasts a yearly capacity of 50 million tonnes. Situated at the Port of Abbot Point, operated by the Adani Group, the terminal is poised to play a pivotal role in future green hydrogen exports.