DLA Piper advises Amber Australia on strategic purchase

Global law firm DLA Piper advised specialist infrastructure investment manager, Amber Australia Pty Ltd, on the acquisition of Rail First Asset Management from Anchorage Capital Partners by a joint venture between infrastructure investors Amber Infrastructure Group and DIF Capital Partners. 

“We were pleased to advise Amber Australia Pty Ltd in securing Australia’s leading freight rail locomotives and wagons leasing business,” said Shane Bilardi, Corporate Partner, DLA Piper.

“This is yet another strategic investment by Amber Australia Pty Ltd into critical infrastructure. The investment aligns with their long-term and sustainable approach,” Shane added.

Rail First is Australia’s leading provider of rolling stock solutions to the rail industry, owning the country’s third largest intermodal fleet of more than 1,300 locomotives and wagons.

The only Australian manufacturer of rail wagons, Rail First provides a full-service offering including locomotive and wagon leasing and rolling stock maintenance.

The deal team was led by Shane Bilardi (Partner), with support from Sarah Wilson (Special Counsel), Jonathan Pham (Senior Associate) and Reid Hadaway (Solicitor).

For the 12th consecutive year, DLA Piper was the highest-ranked legal advisor in the world for M&A deal volume, according to Mergermarket's league tables. The firm was involved in 1,104 transactions worldwide in 2021, valued at approximately US$242 billion.