Global Ports Investments has completed the acquisition of NCC Group, Russia's second biggest container terminals operator. The said transaction was announced on September 2, 2013, according to The Maritime Executive.

The acquisition reinforces the leading position of Global Ports in the growing container market of Russia. The merged group is now the biggest container terminal operator in Eastern Europe. The group is also ranked among the top 20 container operators worldwide, the report said.

To finance the deal, the Group has raised $238 million through a secured term loan agreement. NCC's terms in its existing debt portfolio have also been renegotiated, the report detailed.

Global Ports chairman Nikita Mishin said of the transaction, "We are delighted to have completed such an important transaction, one that is an historic step for Global Ports, and which moves the Group into the big league of major global container terminal operators. Our combined group will hold an enviable position in the high-growth Russian container market and will have an unrivalled ability to provide the best quality of service to our customers."