CIMIC and Sojitz Establish 50:50 Partnership to Accelerate UGL Transport Expansion Across Australia and the Asia-Pacific

CIMIC and Sojitz Establish 50:50 Partnership to Accelerate UGL Transport Expansion Across Australia and the Asia-Pacific

(IN BRIEF) CIMIC Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Japan’s Sojitz Corporation, which will acquire a 50% stake in UGL Transport, valuing the business at approximately $800 million. The agreement establishes joint ownership of one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading transport services providers, whose 2025 revenue is projected at $1.1 billion. The partnership is expected to broaden UGL Transport’s service capabilities and support expansion into new Asia-Pacific markets through collaboration with CIMIC, HOCHTIEF, ACS, and Leighton Asia. Senior executives from both ACS and Sojitz emphasized the strong potential of combining UGL Transport’s established platform with Sojitz’s global rail expertise. CIMIC will retain full ownership of UGL’s engineering, industrial, and operations divisions across energy, resources, infrastructure, and technology, while continuing its broader commitment to the transport sector. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals, with both parties preparing a transition plan designed to ensure continuity of service.

(PRESS RELEASE) MADRID, 2-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — CIMIC Group has announced a major strategic move through the creation of a new partnership with Sojitz Corporation, which will see the Japanese trading group acquire a 50% stake in UGL’s transport division, UGL Transport. The agreement establishes a 50:50 joint ownership model and places an enterprise value of approximately $800 million on the business, with CIMIC expected to receive around $500 million in cash proceeds upon completion.

UGL Transport, part of CIMIC’s subsidiary UGL, is one of the leading integrated transport services providers across Australia and New Zealand. With projected 2025 revenue of $1.1 billion, the business benefits from a strong management team and a diverse portfolio spanning rolling stock manufacturing and maintenance, rail network management, transport operations, and advanced signalling and communication solutions. Its long-standing partnerships with major government agencies and tier-one transport operators provide a solid platform for continued expansion, including opportunities driven by evolving technologies and adjacent service areas.

The new partnership represents a significant step in CIMIC’s strategy to accelerate value creation and future-proof its portfolio. The collaboration with Sojitz—headquartered in Tokyo and active across a wide range of global industries—is expected to broaden UGL Transport’s capabilities and open doors to new markets. Both companies anticipate strong potential in emerging opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region, supported by CIMIC, HOCHTIEF, and ACS Group businesses, including Leighton Asia.

ACS Group Chief Executive Officer Juan Santamaría highlighted the significance of the agreement, noting that UGL Transport plays a critical role in delivering integrated, high-value services to essential public infrastructure. He emphasized that combining UGL Transport’s platform with Sojitz’s international networks and rail industry expertise will help accelerate growth across new markets and technologies while continuing to strengthen transport systems in Australia.

Sojitz Managing Executive Officer Masakazu Hashimoto underscored Sojitz’s extensive background in the rail sector, referencing the company’s investments in railcar maintenance and leasing in North America and its delivery of major rail EPC projects in India and Southeast Asia. He noted that Sojitz views this partnership as an important opportunity to deepen its presence in Australia’s infrastructure sector and to jointly pursue growth with UGL supported by Sojitz’s regional reach across Asia.

Despite divesting half of the transport business, CIMIC will continue to fully own and operate UGL’s specialist engineering, industrial services, and operations spanning energy, resources, infrastructure, defence, telecommunications, and technology. UGL remains a leading provider in power generation, renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and large-scale infrastructure projects, supported by its national workforce and in-house engineering expertise.

CIMIC reaffirmed its strong focus on the broader transport sector, noting that CPB Contractors, UGL, Leighton Asia, and Pacific Partnerships will continue delivering major transport and infrastructure projects and remain active in new tendering opportunities.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory and other approvals. UGL and Sojitz will work through a transition period aimed at ensuring stability and uninterrupted service for clients throughout the change.

Media Contact:

email: pdd@grupoacs.com

SOURCE: Actividades de Construcción y Servicios (ACS)