A record number of transport infrastructure deals are set to occur worldwide by the end of the year, according to KMPG.

Its research suggests 2013 is well on its way to being a busy month for transport, with agreements worth around $16.6 billion (£10.3 billion) in the first half. By the end of Q3, this had grown to $23.5 billion, up $6.9 billion in three months.

This figure for the first nine months is already more than every total annual amount since 2008.

KPMG's European head of transport mergers and acquisitions said: “Public budget restraints across debt ridden countries especially in Europe have forced national governments to privatise national infrastructure and look for private operators and investors in order to secure the operation of strategic transport infrastructure and hub networks."

The firm states most assets were obtained in either Asia or Europe this year. It believes the UK has played host to many major deals, including the Manchester Airport Group's £1.5 billion acquisition of Stansted Airport and a £395 million sale of nine per cent of Heathrow Airport, which went to the Universities Superannuation Scheme.