The infrastructure asset manager InfraRed Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Rail Modal Group (RMG), a U.S. intermodal rail terminal and export logistics operator. This operation, the amount of which has not been communicated, must accompany the next phase of the company's development and strengthen the capacity of rail transport to serve the North American agricultural supply chains.

Founded in 2018 by Greg Oberting, who retains his position as Managing Director and a stake in the capital, Rail Modal Group operates four intermodal rail terminals linking Midwest and Grande Plains producers and processors to the Class I rail network and major ports on the west coast of the United States.

The company develops containerized transport solutions allowing goods to be transported from production sites to port export terminals, thus providing shippers located away from maritime infrastructure with better access to international markets.

InfraRed's investment must support the expansion of RMG's network by strengthening the capacity of its existing terminals, developing new sites and expanding its logistics services.

According to data provided by both partners, intermodal rail transshipment is an essential link in the US supply chain, with over 20 million containers processed each year, while over 40% of long-distance freight in the US is transported by rail.

Since its inception, RMG reports that it has shipped more than 1200 full trains of more than 100 cars, equivalent to about 200 million kilometres travelled by truck.

This operation comes in a context where investments in logistics infrastructure aim to improve the resilience of supply chains and meet the growing needs of the US agricultural sector, estimated at nearly $1500 billion.

The parties plan to continue investment in rail and logistics infrastructure in order to increase the export capacity of US producers, without disclosing the financial conditions of the transaction.