Associated British Ports - which owns 21 ports around the UK - has agreed to be taken over in a Ј2.5bn deal.
The firm accepted an offer of 810 pence per share from a consortium which includes Goldman Sachs.
The owner of Ipswich, Plymouth, Southampton, Hull and Swansea ports handles about a quarter of the UK's seaborne traffic.
The deal is the latest in a string of takeovers of British port owners in anticipation of rising trade volumes.
The spectacular growth of the Chinese and Indian economies has fuelled interest in infrastructure and cargo handling assets.
Multinational consortium
P&O was bought in a controversial deal by Dubai Ports World for $6.8bn earlier this year, while Mersey Docks and PD Ports have also been taken over during the past year.
AB Ports employs 3,000 staff worldwide, including in the US where its Amports business handles vehicle imports and exports.
AB Ports rejected a 730 pence per share bid from the consortium in March, branding the offer "wholly inadequate".
However, when the consortium returned with an improved offer last month, AB Ports agreed to open its books to the group for a limited period.
Other members of the consortium include Canadian investment firm Borealis Infrastructure Management Inc. ("Borealis") and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation.
The deal has won the support of the firm's directors, although the bid will have to be backed by shareholders.
"ABP is a unique strategic asset," said AB Ports chairman Chris Clark.
"The consortium's offer reflects that and recognises the strong operational and financial performance of the business."
(BBC)
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