KKR to invest in Cisternina to build a liquid storage and logistics platform

Established in 2024, Cisternina will serve customers as an integrated platform across the energy, chemicals, bulk liquids, and edible-oil sectors in India. GBL's liquid storage terminal business operates one of India’s leading privately owned tank farms, established at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP) in the early 1990s, and today has a portfolio of approximately 500 million of operating and under-construction storage capacity across strategic ports like JNPT, Cochin, and Goa.

India's coastal infrastructure handles approximately 95% of the country's external trade by volume, while demand across key bulk-liquid categories is expected to grow steadily over the next decade, creating long-term demand for liquid storage and logistics infrastructure. The market remains fragmented, with relatively few scaled, professionally managed, multi-location operators. With KKR’s investment and infrastructure expertise, Cisternina plans to scale through acquisitions, brownfield expansion, and greenfield development, while investing in management capabilities, governance, operating systems, and safety standards.

Ravi Thanvi, Director, Real Assets, KKR India, said, “At KKR, we have significant experience building and scaling infrastructure platforms in India, combining long-term capital with the operational expertise of strong management teams. We see an opportunity to apply this platform-building approach to India’s liquid and gas logistics sector. With an experienced founding team and GBL’s liquid storage terminal business as its anchor asset, Cisternina is well positioned to build a leading national platform. We look forward to working closely with Amit, Kartik and Puneet to realise that ambition.”

Amit Saboo, Founder and Managing Director of Cisternina Logistics, said, “We founded Cisternina to build an integrated liquid and gas storage and logistics platform that delivers high-quality, reliable solutions to customers across India. The acquisition of GBL's liquid storage terminal business represents an important first step, providing us with an established operating base at strategic ports and a strong foundation for future growth. With KKR's long-term capital, infrastructure, and operational expertise, we look forward to investing in these assets, expanding our capabilities, and building a differentiated platform for our customers.”

KKR is making the investment through its Asia Pacific infrastructure strategy. India is a key market for KKR’s infrastructure business, with experience spanning logistics, transportation, renewable energy, and power transmission. KKR’s infrastructure investments in India include Serentica Renewables, a decarbonisation platform; Hero Future Energies, a renewable energy platform; LEAP India, a pallet pooling and supply chain solutions platform; Allfleet, an electric public mobility platform; Vertis Infrastructure Trust and NHIT, both roads infrastructure investment trusts; and IndiGrid, a power transmission infrastructure investment trust.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/tanks-terminals/05102026/kkr-to-invest-in-cisternina-to-build-a-liquid-storage-and-logistics-platform/