Zara Founder Buys 49% Stake in UK Port Operator PD Ports

According to the Financial Times, Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortega—best known as the founder of Zara—has entered the maritime infrastructure sector by acquiring a 49% stake in UK-based PD Ports. The purchase was made through his investment firm, Pontegadea.

This strategic investment sees Pontegadea joining forces with Brookfield Asset Management, which will continue to hold a controlling interest in PD Ports via its listed infrastructure fund.

PD Ports manages 11 port locations throughout the UK, including the prominent Teesport facility in northeast England. The transaction, reportedly valued at just under £2 billion (approximately $2.7 billion), marks a notable shift for Ortega’s family office, which has primarily focused on investments in real estate, telecoms, and renewable energy.

The acquisition follows Brookfield’s decision to drop a full sale of PD Ports in 2021, after a legal conflict with Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen. Houchen’s regional development agency had attempted to take control of the operator, but PD Ports prevailed in court last year.

Both Pontegadea and Brookfield have declined to comment on the details of the deal.