Head of Dubai-based ports giant quits after Epstein links revealed

February 13, 2026

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has resigned from his positions as chairman and CEO of DP World, a Dubai-owned global ports operator, following revelations about his extensive communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Newly released documents show the two men exchanged hundreds of emails over roughly a decade, from 2007 to at least 2017, discussing business ventures, personal matters, and sharing contacts with influential political and business figures. The correspondence reveals Epstein acted as an informal intermediary, introducing Sulayem to various international leaders and apparently lobbying UK officials on his behalf.

Who is affected

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (resigned chairman and CEO)
DP World (the company and its operations across six continents)
Essa Kazim (named as new chairman)
Yuvraj Narayan (named as new chief executive)
UK development finance agency (suspended investments)
Canada's La Caisse pension fund (suspended investments)
The Prince of Wales' Earthshot project (received funding from DP World and was reported to UK Charity Commission)
Lord Mandelson (former UK business secretary who was lobbied by Epstein)
Prince William (received tour from Sulayem at London Gateway port)
Various international figures mentioned in emails (Ehud Barak, Steve Bannon, Elon Musk, and African presidents)

What action is being taken

DP World has accepted Sulayem's resignation effective immediately
The UK development finance agency is suspending new investment into DP World
La Caisse (Canada's second largest pension fund) is suspending new investment into DP World
US lawmakers Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie are flagging improper redactions in the Epstein files

Why it matters

This matters because DP World is a major Dubai-owned logistics giant that operates port terminals across six continents and plays a significant role in global trade infrastructure. The revelations about Sulayem's extensive relationship with Epstein have created reputational risks that prompted major financial institutions to suspend investments, potentially affecting the company's ability to fund operations and expansion. The documents also raise questions about Epstein's influence in facilitating business deals and political connections for powerful international figures, demonstrating how the convicted sex offender maintained access to global business and political networks even after his 2008 criminal conviction.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC