DP World Expands Footprint in Dry-Bulk and Infrastructure Cargo
15 October 2025, Dubai, UAE — P&O Maritime Logistics (POML), a wholly owned subsidiary of DP World, has finalized the acquisition of a controlling stake in NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers (NACC), marking another strategic move by the logistics group into the breakbulk and dry-bulk sectors.
The deal, now approved by all relevant regulators, gives DP World a stronger foothold in one of the more specialized segments of maritime logistics: cement transportation. For an industry that often focuses on containerization and liquid bulk, this move underscores the growing importance of infrastructure cargo and the networks that move it.
A Strategic Bet on Cement and Infrastructure
Cement might not be glamorous, but it is the backbone of infrastructure. Roads, bridges, and ports all begin with it—and as global infrastructure spending surges, so does the demand for reliable cement transport. By entering this niche, DP World is betting on the long game of infrastructure development and reconstruction in emerging markets.
Through P&O Maritime Logistics, DP World continues to knit together the various threads of global trade: from port terminals and logistics parks to shipping and now, specialized cement carriers. “By expanding into cement logistics, we’re enhancing our end-to-end supply chain offering,” the company noted in its statement.
The NACC Story
Established in 2016 as a joint venture between Nova Marine Holding SA of Switzerland and Algoma Central Corporation of Canada, NACC has become the world’s leading operator of pneumatic cement carriers—vessels equipped with systems designed to discharge powdered cement without contamination or spillage.
NACC’s fleet operates across North America, Europe, the Mediterranean, South Asia, and the Caribbean, serving some of the world’s most active infrastructure regions. It’s a quiet but crucial operation: one that keeps construction materials moving efficiently and safely.
Interestingly, not all of NACC’s assets are included in the deal. The acquisition specifically excludes the company’s joint venture interests in Northern Europe, Indonesia, and Greece—regions where local partnerships continue under existing ownership structures.
Leadership Continuity and Strategic Oversight
While P&O Maritime Logistics now takes the helm strategically, NACC’s operational leadership will remain intact. This ensures continuity for customers and crews, while opening doors for integration with DP World’s broader logistics ecosystem. The existing shareholders—Nova Marine and Algoma—retain a significant minority stake, preserving a shared interest in NACC’s growth and stability.
For those watching the consolidation trend in maritime logistics, this move fits neatly into a pattern. DP World has steadily evolved from a global terminal operator into a diversified logistics powerhouse. Adding cement carriers to the mix may seem niche, but it’s precisely these specialized capabilities that can set a logistics giant apart in an increasingly interconnected supply chain.
