Over the past 10 years, private infrastructure assets under management have more than quadrupled, to a record $1.3 trillionInvestor interest in digital infrastructure is growing with data center investments surging due to AI-driven demandFunds are evolving their strategies, leveraging new investment structures and operational efficiencies to enhance returns in a maturing industryBOSTON, March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Private investment in infrastructure is regaining momentum, according to the latest annual Infrastructure Strategy report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report, Infrastructure Strategy 2025: How Investors Can Gain Advantage as the Asset Class Matures, details how the private infrastructure market, which has been navigating macroeconomic uncertainty and fluctuating deal volume, shows signs of stabilizing and remains a safe haven in volatile times.Infrastructure assets under management continued to grow over the past year, reaching an all-time high of $1.3 trillion as of June 2024. Nevertheless, fundraising remains below its 2022 peak, reflecting lingering investor caution. Meanwhile, deal activity, although still below peak levels, is expected to increase as sponsors seek to exit investments and reinvest capital.Investment Trends and Sector InsightsThe report highlights a shift in investor focus, with greater allocations to high-growth sectors such as digital infrastructure and energy transition. Data center investments, driven by AI and cloud computing demands, have been particularly strong, with a record $50 billion allocated to the sector in 2024, up from just $11 billion in 2020. Despite a slowdown in deal flow across most infrastructure asset classes, investors are optimistic about long-term opportunities in core sectors such as energy, transport, and logistics."Infrastructure remains a cornerstone of private investment strategies, offering stability and inflation protection in volatile markets," said BCG managing director and senior partner Wilhelm Schmundt, the firm's global lead for infrastructure investment and a coauthor of the report

WASHINGTON — The Federal Maritime Commission may consider blocking foreign container ships from entering U.S. ports if it finds that the country in which they’re registered is causing choke points at various shipping locations around the world.In a notice published on Thursday, the FMC announced it would be launching an investigation into transit constraints that the agency says could be creating unfavorable conditions for shipping in U.S. foreign trades.The seven choke points targeted by the FMC are the English Channel, the Malacca Strait, the Northern Sea Passage, the Singapore Strait, the Panama Canal, the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal.“Based on available information, it appears that constraints on transits through [these choke points] may have created shipping conditions that call for careful consideration by the Commission in connection with the determination of its policies and the carrying out of its duties,” the agency stated.“The Commission will investigate whether constraints in global maritime chokepoints have created unfavorable shipping conditions caused by the laws, regulations or practices of foreign governments or the practices of foreign-flag vessel owners or operators.”FMC summarized the significance and threat potential of each location. It pointed out, for example, that in addition to geopolitical concerns at the Panama Canal, ship hijackings and robberies are a “significant concern” in the Malacca Strait between Malaysia and Indonesia; Russia is ramping up its military forces in the Northern Sea Passage, which provides a shortcut between Europe and Asia; and strict regulations are causing delays along the Singapore Strait.Along the English Channel, “political developments, border controls, and customs checks add complexities, with the Channel’s proximity to sensitive areas between the U.K. and France sometimes leading to heightened security concerns,” the agency warned.“Remedial measures the Commission can take in issuing regulations to address conditions unfavorable to shipping in U.S. foreign trade include refusing entry to U.S

Climate Change Undermines Economic Growth and Resilience; Climate Action Would Safeguard 11% to 27% of Cumulative GDP by 2100The Investment Required in Mitigation and Adaptation Is Equivalent to Only 1% to 2% of Cumulative GDP by 2100But Annual Investments Must Rise Ninefold in Mitigation and Thirteenfold in Adaptation from Current Levels by 2050Many Costs of Climate Action Fall Before 2050, but the Bulk of the Economic Benefits Will Be Felt After 2050BOSTON, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- There is a strong case for investing in climate mitigation and adaptation based on the severe economic consequences of failure alone. Allowing global warming to reach 3°C by 2100 could reduce cumulative economic output by 15% to 34%. Alternatively, investing 1% to 2% in mitigation and adaptation would limit warming to 2°C, reducing economic damages to 2% to 4%. This net cost of inaction is equivalent to 11% to 27% of cumulative GDP—equivalent to three times global health care spending, or eight times the amount needed to lift the world above the global poverty line by 2100.These are among the findings of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Cambridge Judge Business School, and the University of Cambridge's climaTraces Lab report, Too Hot to Think Straight, Too Cold to Panic: Landing the Economic Case for Climate Action with Decision Makers, published today. The report comes at a time when the importance of economic strength is top-of-mind for many leaders. The report makes clear that climate change slows growth and weakens resilience and, therefore, hinders our collective ability to achieve many of our common priorities from health to security."Research on climate change impacts across all regions and sectors is expanding rapidly," said Kamiar Mohaddes, an Associate Professor in Economics and Policy at Cambridge Judge Business School and Director of the University of Cambridge climaTRACES Lab