Newport Logistics Fund, a fund investing in warehouse properties in Europe, raised EUR 50 million as part of its first fund. Currently, work is underway to launch a second fund worth EUR 100 million.
It only took 10 months for the fund to raise EUR 50 million from investors located in Western Europe, Poland, the USA and Dubai. The money gathered has already been fully invested in three projects located in London, Amsterdam and Zgierz (central Poland) thus offering a diversified asset portfolio.
Currently, work is underway to launch Fund II, which, after registration at the beginning of the second quarter of 2023, will start the process of raising EUR 100 million. Projects in the UK, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Sweden are currently being analysed.
“Our strategy assumes financing the construction of modern warehouses and logistics facilities in Europe based on the diversification of assets and their location” – said Szymon Ostrowski, Managing Director of the Fund.
All industrial facilities financed by Newport Logistics Fund are situated in strategic locations across Europe.
The first project financed by Newport Logistics Fund is a distribution centre at the Stichtsekant Business Park in Almere near Amsterdam covering 23,400 sq m which will be delivered at the beginning of 2024. The investment will be located directly off the A27 motorway, only 30 km from Amsterdam and Utrecht. You can reach Schiphol Airport and the Port in Amsterdam in about 30 minutes. The distribution centre will have the capability of servicing one larger tenant and several smaller ones with a minimum area of
lease covering 3,700 sq m.
The second investment is in the West London area, a short distance from one of the largest airports in the world – Heathrow, near junction 14 of the M25 motorway. Newport Logistics Fund is financing the construction of a 7,500 sq m facility, which will provide excellent service for last mile logistics and efficiently reach the London population. It will be an important investment for a region where a modern industrial area is lacking.
The last project is located in central Poland, near Zgierz, off the A2 motorway, connecting, among others Warsaw with Berlin. The investment covers two buildings with a total area of 33,500 sq m. The first of them will be completed in this quarter, and DPD – one of the largest courier companies in Europe – will benefit from a 6,300 sq m hall. The cross-dock building will include one of the company’s largest and most modern sorters in the country. Office and social facilities will also be available to the tenant.
High ecological standard – requirement for financing
Newport Logistics Fund’s key investment criterion is high standard sustainable construction which ensures that the facilities meet the ESG goals of both customers and users. Therefore, each project will undergo BREEAM certification.
The roof of Amsterdam project will be entirely covered with solar panels. The facility will get a high level of BREEAM certification.
The facility in London is a brownfield investment. The implementation on the recovered post -industrial site perfectly fits into the closed circulation economy. The investment will also be equipped with photovoltaic panels and will undergo BREEAM certification at the Excellent level with EPC A assessment.
The warehouse in Central Poland will be equipped with a number of balanced solutions – including Photovoltaic installation and electric car charging stations. It will be certified by the BREEAM method at the Excellent level.
Further expansion in Western Europe
Newport, after successful financing of two investments in Western Europe: London and Amsterdam, is already planning further projects in this part of the continent. At the beginning of the second quarter of 2023, it is planned to launch a second fund, which plans to raise EUR 100 million from investors to finance subsequent industrial projects in Western Europe.
