Calgary Alberta - Canadian Pacific (CP) and Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC (FTAI) announced they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby CP will acquire the Central Maine & Quebec Railway (CMQ).
 
CMQ owns 481 miles of rail lines primarily in Quebec and Maine.
 
The end-to-end transaction will provide CP customers with seamless, safe, and efficient access to ports at Searsport, Maine, and to Saint John, New Brunswick, via Eastern Maine Railway Company (EMRY) and New Brunswick Southern Railway (NBSR), thereby preserving and enhancing competition.
 
"This strategic acquisition gives CP a true coast-to-coast network across Canada and an increased presence in the eastern U.S.," said CP President and CEO Keith Creel.
 
"With additional port access, more dots on the map, and our proven precision scheduled railroading operating model we are confident this transaction will bring benefits to all stakeholders moving forward."
 
As part of the transaction, FTAI will retain ownership of Katahdin Railcar Services (KRS), a tank car cleaning and repair facility, and the contract to operate at a 12 mile branch line at FTAI's Long Ridge Energy Terminal in Monroe County, Ohio.
 
FTAI intends to continue to develop and grow both the KRS and Long Ridge branch line businesses.
 
"We are excited about this transaction as it brings value to our shareholders, while ensuring that the CMQ continues to provide safe and reliable rail transportation options," said Joe Adams, FTAI CEO.
 
CP invests in its people and its assets to ensure it can provide service safely and efficiently.
 
CP has been the safest railway in North America for 13 consecutive years, as measured by train accident frequency and meets all regulatory requirements.
 
The transaction is currently expected to close at the end of 2019 and remains subject to customary closing conditions.
 
Over the coming weeks, CP, FTAI, and other stakeholders will move towards closing.
 
Author unknown.

  CP seems to have come nearly full circle.