Background and Transaction Overview
Canada’s major pension funds — the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) — are preparing to divest their combined controlling stakes in Associated British Ports (ABP), the largest ports operator in the United Kingdom.

Potential Deal Size and Scope
The stakes held by CPPIB and OMERS total about 67% ownership of ABP (34% and 33% respectively). The potential sale could value ABP at over £10 billion (about US$13.6 billion), making it one of the largest infrastructure transactions in the UK market in recent years.

Advisors and Sale Process
Financial institutions including Morgan Stanley have been engaged to explore interest and manage the potential divestment. The sale process is still in early stages and could extend into the latter half of 2026 depending on market conditions and investor interest.

About Associated British Ports
ABP operates 21 UK ports, including key hubs such as the Humber ports and Southampton, handling roughly a quarter of the UK’s seaborne trade volume. The business also owns related infrastructure and industrial properties.

Other Shareholders
Other significant shareholders in ABP include Singapore’s GIC (approx. 20%) and the Kuwait Investment Authority’s Wren House Infrastructure (about 10%). Hermes Asset Management, holding around a 6% stake, may also participate in the sale.

Market and Strategic Context
The move reflects broader dynamics in global infrastructure investing, where large pension funds periodically reassess holdings to balance portfolio risk, secure liquidity, and manage long-term obligations.