A.P. Moller Capital has through the Africa Infrastructure Fund 1 has acquitred a 49% shareholding in Casablanca-based grain terminal operator Mass Céréales al Maghreb (MCM).

Holding Marocaine Commerciale et Financiere (HOLMARCOM) will retain 51% ownership of MCM.

MCM has, for more than a decade, provided handling and storage services for grain bulk cargoes at the ports of Casablanca and Jorf Lasfar.

The company handles nearly half of all grain bulk imports each year, contributing to an efficient logistics chain for key food supplies in Morocco.

Through MCM, HOLMARCOM and A.P. Moller Capital will jointly pursue new investments that enable more reliable and efficient supply chains, support food security, and create sustainable jobs in African markets.

Kim Fejfer, Managing Partner, A.P. Moller Capital, said: ”Today, MCM handles more than half of all grain bulk imports in Morocco and has an ambition to become a leading grain logistic player across Africa. Together with HOLMARCOM, we are proud to support this endeavor, which goes well in hand with our focus on combining attractive investments with a purpose of building sustainable businesses, creating jobs and positively impacting society.”

HOLMARCOM is a diversified industrial group in Morocco.

Established in 1978, HOLMARCOM is a market leader in key sectors including: banking and insurance, agriculture and foods, logistics, and real estate. HOLMARCOM is committed to investments which generate financial returns whilst advancing the economic interests of the Kingdom of Morocco.

MCM is the concession holder and operator of two grain unloading terminals in the ports of Casablanca and Jorf Lasfar.

With significant handling and storage capacity, the company improves both grain carriers' productivity and port traffic.

A.P. Moller Capital P/S, founded in 2017 and regulated by the Danish Financial Supervision Authority, is an affiliate of A.P. Moller Holding and was established to manage stand-alone alternative investment funds focusing on infrastructure in growth markets.

A.P. Moller Capital launched its first fund, The Africa Infrastructure Fund, in August 2017 to invest in infrastructure assets on the African continent with a focus on energy and transportation.

Mohamed Hassan Bensalah, Chairman and CEO, HOLMARCOM Group and Chairman of MCM, said: “We are delighted to welcome A.P. Moller Capital’s investment into MCM. HOLMARCOM and APMC share guiding principles and have a shared vision for supporting MCM’s efforts to be the leading grain logistics player across Africa.”