Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has stepped down as chairman and chief executive of DP World, the Dubai-based ports operator that owns P&O Ferries, following revelations about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The company announced his immediate resignation on Friday, after the publication of emails showing Sulayem exchanged messages with Epstein. Documents disclosed by the US Department of Justice revealed that in 2015, Sulayem emailed Epstein about a sexual encounter with a woman, and Epstein sent Sulayem an email referencing a “torture video”.
DP World’s major international partners, including British International Investment (BII), had paused new deals after the revelations. However, on Friday, BII said it would resume investments, welcoming the leadership change.
Sulayem had transformed DP World from a local port operator into a global logistics giant, overseeing the acquisition of P&O Ferries in 2006 for £3.3bn. The ferry business faced criticism in 2022 when it sacked 800 workers without notice.
Separately, Goldman Sachs’ top lawyer, Kathy Ruemmler, resigned on Thursday after emails revealed a close relationship with Epstein.
