Ascendi enters race for AEDL motorways concession

Ascendi, an asset management company that provides motorway toll charge and road maintenance services, has entered the competition for the acquisition of the concessionaire Auto-Estradas do Douro Litoral (AEDL) motorways in the north of Portugal.

According to Jornal Económico, non-binding offers for the purchase of the Portuguese concessionaire should be presented by May 10. Other competing parties are Abertis, Icon Infrastructure and Vauban Infrastructure Partners which belongs to Natixis. Ascendi is bidding in a consortium with Dif Capital Partners.

Ascendi has been providing operation and maintenance services on the motorways, which had been done by Brisa.

Ascendi has been on a shopping spree recently. In February the Portuguese concessionaire, which in 2016 was purchased by the French fund Ardian, acquired a 52% capital share in the Spanish infrastructure management company Elsamex as part of its international expansion strategy.