Blackstone invests in SSA Marine parent Carrix

Blackstone’s asset management businesses, with $472bn under management, includes investment vehicles focused on infrastructure, private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Carrix is the parent company of SSA Marine and its related affiliates with combined operations at over 250 port and rail locations worldwide, including 16 container terminals in Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma, Panama, Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Vietnam.

“We are pleased that BIP has invested in Carrix and will be working with us to continue our ongoing growth and development,” said Jon Hemingway, chairman of Carrix.

“Along with its affiliates, BIP brings an amazing network of highly skilled and experienced people, global relationships, expertise in a diverse array of businesses, and myriad capabilities to apply. When combined with our experience in the port industry and infrastructure development, we have substantially broadened what our shareholders and directors can do to support Carrix and its management team,” added Hemingway.

“Since its founding in 1949, the Carrix team has built the leading ports business in the Americas, with a strong track record of growth and innovation,” said Sean Klimczak, global head of infrastructure at Blackstone.

“We are excited to partner with the two existing shareholder families to support the expansion of Carrix. This platform investment fits well with our strategy of developing partnerships with industry leaders behind whom we can continue to invest additional capital for decades to come,” commented Klimczak.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of April.