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DP World chairman exits after Epstein correspondence surfaces
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem resigned as chairman and CEO of DP World on Friday following the release of documents showing extensive email exchanges with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Dubai-based logistics giant announced the departure as effective immediately, appointing Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as CEO.
Pressure mounts from investors and partners
DP World, which operates port terminals across six continents, faced growing scrutiny this week. The UK's development finance agency and Canada's second-largest pension fund, La Caisse, suspended new investments in the firm. Additionally, Prince William's Earthshot environmental initiative was reported to the UK Charity Commission over its ties to DP World after Sulayem appeared in the Epstein files.
A photograph of Sulayem was removed from DP World's website following the resignation.
Decade-long email trail reveals close ties
Documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice show Sulayem exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein between 2007 and 2017. The correspondence included travel plans, business ideas, and personal advice, with Epstein referring to Sulayem as one of his most trusted friends in a 2013 message.
Emails suggest Sulayem sought Epstein's counsel on health matters for himself and his family, while Epstein introduced him to political and business figures, including former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon. Epstein also offered to connect Sulayem with African leaders, though it remains unclear if those meetings occurred.
Controversial exchanges and redactions
Some emails contained crude jokes and derogatory remarks about women. In a 2013 message, Sulayem disparaged a Moldavian woman as less attractive than her photo while praising a Ukrainian companion. In 2017, he arranged training for Epstein's private masseuse at a Turkish hotel, later confirming her Russian nationality.
U.S. lawmakers Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie criticized redactions in the files, including a 2009 email from Epstein referencing a torture video. The recipient, later identified as Sulayem, replied about travel between China and the U.S. The context of the exchange remains unclear.
Lobbying and royal connections
Epstein acted as an intermediary for Sulayem in dealings with the UK government. In 2009, he urged then-Business Secretary Lord Mandelson to be nice to Sultan regarding DP World's bid to operate London Gateway port. Epstein also helped draft a letter to Mandelson and shared his personal email address. There is no evidence of wrongdoing by Mandelson, who has not commented.
Sulayem later hosted Prince William at the London Gateway port in 2016, attending a Buckingham Palace event the following day. Emails show Epstein responded to the news with the word fun.
Unanswered questions and next steps
DP World has not commented on the specifics of Sulayem's departure beyond the resignation announcement. The BBC has sought responses from Sulayem and Lord Mandelson but received none at the time of publication. The company's new leadership faces pressure to address investor concerns and restore confidence in its global operations.
