Azerbaijan acquires shares in Italian railway operator
SOFAZ Invests €34.5 Million in Italy’s High-Speed Railway Operator Italo
The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has made a significant investment in Italy’s leading high-speed railway operator, Italo – Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori S.p.A (Italo). The investment amounting to 34.5 million euros was done by joining an investment fund managed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of the US company BlackRock.
Established in 2012, Italo is recognized as one of Italy’s premier high-speed passenger railway operators. The company operates on various routes covering 54 cities in Italy, with a prominent presence on the Milan-Rome corridor. Italo boasts a modern fleet of 25 AGV 575 and 26 Italo EVO trains, capable of achieving speeds of up to 360 km per hour.
In 2024, MSC, a renowned player in the global container transportation sector, acquired around 50% of Italo’s shares from GIP. The remaining 50% ownership is divided among GIP, co-investors, and funds managed by GIP, including SOFAZ.
Italo is known for its high operational performance and holds substantial growth potential, particularly with the rising demand for sustainable mobility solutions. This investment by SOFAZ holds strategic importance in diversifying its investment portfolio by tapping into sustainable infrastructure assets as a long-term investor.
The move signifies SOFAZ’s commitment to making strategic investments in infrastructure projects that not only offer financial returns but also contribute to sustainable development. The investment in Italo aligns with SOFAZ’s vision of ensuring stable returns while supporting initiatives that promote sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.
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