Strategic Partnership Provides Capital and Institutional Resources to Accelerate Gulf Inland Expansion and Support the Growth of a Broader Rail-Served Industrial Platform
NEW YORK and HOUSTON, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Wafra Inc. ("Wafra"), a New York-based alternative investment firm, and Liberty Development Partners ("Liberty") today announced that funds advised by Wafra have invested into both Liberty Development Partners, a rail-served infrastructure operator and developer, and its principal assets, Gulf Inland Logistics Park ("Gulf Inland") and CMC Railroad ("CMC").
The strategic partnership provides additional capital and institutional resources to accelerate the continued development of Gulf Inland while supporting Liberty's growth as a broader platform to pursue additional rail-served infrastructure and industrial opportunities.
Located northeast of Houston in Dayton, Texas, Gulf Inland is an approximately 3,900-acre rail-served industrial development. It offers connectivity to the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway freight networks through CMC Railroad, which provides rail switching and storage capacity for more than 1,000 railcars, along with direct access to U.S. Highway 90 and State Highway 99/The Grand Parkway.
Since acquiring Gulf Inland and CMC Railroad in 2022, Liberty Development Partners has significantly expanded the park, invested in its road, rail, and utility infrastructure, and attracted a growing base of industrial and manufacturing companies. During this period, Gulf Inland has grown from approximately 1,150 acres to approximately 3,900 acres, strengthening its position as a strategic location for industrial users seeking access to the Gulf Coast market. The investment from Wafra comes amid strong demand in the Houston region from manufacturing, distribution, energy, and logistics users.
"We are excited to partner with the Liberty Development Partners team and to support the continued growth of Gulf Inland," said Anthony Peek, Managing Director at Wafra. "Gulf Inland combines a strategic location in one of the country's most important industrial markets with substantial rail infrastructure and a leading management team. Our investment will accelerate the development of Gulf Inland and support Liberty's growth more broadly."
"This partnership represents the next stage in the evolution of Gulf Inland and Liberty Development Partners," said Marcus Goering, CEO of Liberty Development Partners. "We believe there is a significant opportunity to expand our rail-served industrial strategy, with Gulf Inland as the foundation. Wafra brings the capital, institutional capabilities, and long-term investment perspective that will allow us to accelerate infrastructure investment, expand the park, and pursue additional opportunities throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond."
Paul Connor, Principal of Liberty Development Partners, added, "Rail-served industrial property is difficult to replicate. Industrial users increasingly require large sites with reliable transportation infrastructure, access to labor, and proximity to major population, manufacturing, and distribution centers. Gulf Inland brings those attributes together in one location, and we believe Houston and the Gulf Coast provide an exceptional foundation from which to grow our platform."
As part of its continued investment in rail infrastructure, Gulf Inland and CMC Railroad are currently expanding railcar storage capacity by approximately 1,000 cars, with the additional capacity expected to be operational by year-end. The expansion is intended to support growing demand for railcar storage and related rail services throughout the Houston and Gulf Coast markets.
The existing Liberty Development Partners management team will continue to lead the development and operation of Gulf Inland and CMC Railroad, and will work alongside Wafra to evaluate and pursue additional investment and expansion opportunities.
About Gulf Inland Logistics Park
Gulf Inland Logistics Park is an approximately 3,900-acre master-planned industrial development located northeast of Houston in Dayton, Texas. The development provides rail-served and non-rail-served industrial sites with access to CMC Railroad, Union Pacific, BNSF Railway, U.S. Highway 90, and State Highway 99/Grand Parkway. Gulf Inland serves industrial, manufacturing, logistics, and distribution companies seeking strategically located sites with access to the Houston and Gulf Coast markets.
About CMC Railroad
CMC Railroad provides rail switching, railcar storage, and related rail services at Gulf Inland Logistics Park. CMC connects Gulf Inland customers with both Union Pacific and BNSF Railway, providing access to the North American rail network while supporting the transportation and storage requirements of industrial customers throughout the region.
About Liberty Development Partners
Liberty Development Partners is an industrial development firm focused on rail infrastructure and rail-served industrial properties, and related opportunities. Liberty leads the development of Gulf Inland Logistics Park and CMC Railroad and works with industrial users to develop the park's strategically located facilities and transportation infrastructure.
About Wafra
Wafra is a global alternative investment manager with approximately $30 billion of assets under management across a range of alternative assets, including strategic partnerships, real assets & infrastructure, and real estate. By providing flexible and accretive capital solutions and focusing on long-term partnerships, Wafra aligns and partners with high quality asset owners, companies, and management teams. Headquartered in New York, Wafra has additional offices in London and Bermuda. For more information, please visit www.wafra.com.
Media Contacts
Gulf Inland Logistics Park / Liberty Development Partners
Carrie Fleming
[email protected]
Wafra
Prosek Partners on behalf of Wafra
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SOURCE Wafra
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