Transportation Acquisitions in Louisiana

America's Auto Auction (America's Group) has acquired Lake Charles Auto Auction, a family-owned dealer auction in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The business will operate as America's Auto Auction Lake Charles and continue weekly dealer-only auctions, with the Pedersen family (owner Matt Pedersen) selling the business to America's as part of the company's southern expansion.

Houston-based Parking Guidance Systems (PGS) has completed a strategic merger with INDECT Electronics & Distribution GmbH and acquired Baton Rouge–based parking software company ParkZen. The transactions vertically integrate INDECT’s sensor hardware, ParkZen’s AI-driven parking software, and PGS’s U.S. deployment capabilities to create a combined global parking-technology offering and accelerate international expansion.

Louisiana-based American Safety LLC has acquired New Orleans Tours from Hospitality Enterprises, adding the tour operator's fleet of 18 shuttles and buses to expand charter capacity ahead of Super Bowl LIX. The acquisition increases American Safety's fleet to more than 200 vehicles and aims to bolster event, convention, and tourism transportation capabilities across the Gulf Coast while maintaining continuity for employees and clients.

Funds managed by Maritime Partners, LLC (through newly-formed Project Merchant Acquisition LLC) agreed to buy American Tanker Holding Company, Inc. (ATHC), AMSC ASA's Jones Act tanker business, for aggregate gross cash proceeds to AMSC of US$249.3 million (enterprise value reported at US$746.7 million). ATHC owns nine handysize product tankers and one handysize shuttle tanker on long-term bareboat charters to Overseas Shipholding Group and Keystone Shipping; the deal is intended to complement Maritime Partners' existing vessel-lease portfolio and diversify lessee and asset exposure in the protected Jones Act market.

Bluestem Equity Ltd. completed the acquisition of Lafayette, Louisiana-based United Vision Logistics (UVL), a land transportation and logistics provider offering heavy haul, long haul, and expedited services across the United States and Canada. UVL — which operates out of Lafayette and Houston and maintains a network of over 100 facilities and a large fleet of owner-operators and partnered carriers — will continue operating under its existing leadership as Bluestem partners to grow the business.

Patriot Rail Company LLC entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Delta Southern Railroad, Inc., a short line railroad operating two line segments in Louisiana serving two Mississippi River ports. The acquisition (terms undisclosed) expands Patriot Rail’s short line network and strengthens its presence and freight options in a chemical and forest-products corridor in Louisiana; the deal remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory authorization.

Maritime Partners, through its managed funds, has agreed to acquire M/G Transport Holdings LLC from Auxo Investment Partners and its affiliates. M/G, a longtime provider of inland barge transportation on the Lower Mississippi River and West Canal to Houston, will continue to operate under its brand with existing management; terms were not disclosed.

KAG Logistics, LLC completed the acquisition of American PetroLog, LLC, a Lafayette, Louisiana-based provider of multi-modal distribution, transloading, storage and liquid-bulk logistics services for the petrochemical industry. The deal brings American PetroLog's team — including President & CEO Jeff Colonna — into KAGL and expands KAG's capabilities and capacity in liquid bulk/petrochemical logistics across North America.

The XLerate Group has acquired Greater Shreveport-Bossier Auto Auction (GSBAA), adding the Shreveport, Louisiana-based dealer auction to its portfolio as part of its ongoing roll-up strategy. GSBAA will continue to be operated locally by Matt Chiasson as general manager while XLerate integrates the facility into its network to expand footprint and service offerings across the region.

A&R Logistics, a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners, has acquired RJ's Transportation, a Port Allen, Louisiana-based provider of bulk liquid transportation and related trucking services. The add-on strengthens A&R's liquid chemical platform and expands its Gulf Coast geographic coverage while RJ's founder and president will remain involved in the combined business.

Southern Towing Company, an affiliate of CC Industries, has acquired Devall Towing from the Devall family. Devall — a Sulphur, Louisiana–based towboat and barge operator focused on specialty chemicals with a fleet of 36 towboats and 125 liquid tank barges — will operate as a new division of Southern Towing, with existing management remaining in place.