Uría Menéndez and J+Legal on ICG-Paulo Duarte partnership
Uría Menéndez advised ICG’s European Infrastructure team on entering the capital of Transportes Paulo Duarte through a 33.5% minority stake, with the group reinforcing investment in operations, fleet, infrastructure, technology and service capabilities to support its strategic priorities across the Iberian Peninsula. J+Legal advised the Paulo Duarte family and Grupo Paulo Duarte, a Portuguese logistics group, on this partnership with ICG.
The advisory work covered the transformation of the company, negotiation of the investment agreement and shareholders’ agreement, and the issuance of preferred shares. The transaction also preserved the family ownership structure of the group, which continues to be led by co-CEOs Gustavo Paulo Duarte and António Paulo Duarte.
ICG Infra’s backing will support continued investment in the Group’s operations, fleet, infrastructure, technology and service capabilities, enabling Paulo Duarte Group to respond to customer demand and pursue its strategic priorities across Iberia.
Founded in 1946, Grupo Paulo Duarte is a Portuguese family-owned company specialized in the transport of high-value-added goods, with three main segments — liquid food products, energy and chemicals, and temperature-controlled products — and a large, predominantly self-owned fleet operating in Portugal and Spain.
Advisory team
On Uría Menéndez’s side, the lawyers involved in the matter were Blanca Arlabán (partner), Miguel Stokes (partner), Domingos Salgado (managing associate) and Diogo Zambujo (senior associate).
On J+Legal’s side, the operation was led by José Diogo Horta Osório, partner, and Rui Bello da Silva, senior associate, with the team also including Manuel Bourbon Ribeiro, trainee lawyer. Tax advice was provided by Jaime Carvalho Esteves, partner, and Manuel da Gama Quaresma, senior associate.
