Infracapital acquires Dutch container logistics company MCS
- MCS is one of the Netherlands’ largest container logistics companies
- Highly complementary business to BCTN, Infracapital’s container terminal operator
- Potential for the group to become a platform for further consolidation in the region
Infracapital, the infrastructure equity investment arm of M&G Plc, has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Multimodal Container Services B.V. (“MCS”), one of the Netherlands’ largest container logistics companies.
Founded in 1993, the business provides full-service container logistics to customers shipping approximately 100,000 containers per year from its three strategically located terminals in Meppel, Groningen and Leeuwarden. MCS operates 10 barges, each with capacity exceeding 156 TEUs and over 80 trucks. Its customer base comprises blue-chip companies based in the north of the Netherlands, with a strong focus on the export of agriproducts.
Inland shipping is an environmentally friendly solution for transporting goods and is a resilient and growing segment in the Benelux logistics sector, providing a significantly more sustainable alternative to road haulage. Each barge can transport the equivalent load of 100 trucks with 75% less CO2 emissions. MCS is well positioned to benefit from the structural shift to barging which is underpinned by the need to decarbonise, to reduce road congestion around the ports and political support for inland waterways.
The investment from Infracapital is an important strategic step in the market for inland shipping, in addition to the recently acquired inland container terminal operator BCTN , the sixth standalone investment made by Infracapital Partners III. The intention is to create a platform for further consolidation in the region. Fund III’s strategy is to invest sustainably in essential brownfield infrastructure to meet the changing needs of society and support long-term economic growth across Europe.
Herman Deetman, Managing Director at Infracapital, said:
“We are excited to acquire MCS. As companies of all shapes and sizes increasingly look to reduce their environmental impact, both MCS and BCTN have the opportunity to shape the future of sustainable shipping in the region. These highly complementary businesses are benefitting from the structural shift to barging, which is underpinned by the need to decarbonise and to reduce road congestion around ports, and we look forward to growing this platform in the years ahead.”
Nutte Visser, CEO of MCS said:
“As management of MCS, we are pleased with Infracapital as a new shareholder with dedicated and in-depth knowledge of the markets in which we operate. Infracapital has expressed their confidence in our growth ambitions and will support us in achieving them. We are therefore looking forward to our collaboration, with which we expect to be able to serve our customers even better in the future.”
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About Infracapital
Infracapital invests in, builds and manages a diverse range of essential infrastructure to meet the changing needs of society and support long-term economic growth. We take an active role in all of our investments, whether nascent or large, to fulfil their potential and ensure they are adaptable and resilient. Our approach creates value for our investors, as we target investments with the scope for stable and sustainable growth. Our portfolio companies work closely with the communities where they are based, to the benefit of all stakeholders. Infracapital is well positioned to deliver the significant investment required to help build the future. The founder-led team of experienced specialists has worked with more than 50 companies around Europe and has raised and managed over £6.5 billion of client capital across six funds.
Infracapital is part of M&G Plc, a leading European savings and investments business. M&G manages the long-term savings of more than 5 million people and is a major investor in the UK and in the global economy. Total assets under management are £370 billion (as at 30 June 2021).
About MCS
MCS provides full-service container logistics, combining water transport with road transport and storage and transhipment. It uses regular scheduled services at its own terminals in Meppel, Groningen and Leeuwarden. Founded in 1993, it has provided an environmentally friendly solution for transporting containers.