Listen to the article
Financial institutions in Canada and the UK have suspended future collaborations with DP World following revelations about a close relationship between the company’s CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision comes after emails between the two men were released in documents published by the U.S. Department of Justice. These communications, spanning several years, contained references to pornography, sexual massages, and escort services, raising concerns about the nature of their relationship.
British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance agency, announced it “will not be making any new investments with DP World until the required actions have been taken by the company.” La Caisse, one of Canada’s largest pension funds, issued a similar statement, confirming it has paused new “capital deployment” with the Dubai-based logistics giant.
“We have made it clear to the company that we expect it to shed light on the situation and take the necessary actions,” La Caisse stated. BII expressed shock at “the allegations emerging in the Epstein files regarding Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.”
Neither organization holds direct investments in DP World itself, but both have partnered with the company on port development projects worldwide, making their decision significant for the global shipping and logistics sector.
DP World, a cornerstone of Dubai’s economy, operates the massive Jebel Ali port and manages cargo terminals at ports across the globe. The company has not responded to multiple requests for comment on the situation.
The emails, part of a larger cache of Epstein-related documents, reveal a friendship that included discussions about former President Donald Trump, theology, and explicit sexual content. In one 2013 exchange, Epstein wrote to Sulayem: “you are one of my most trusted friends in very sense of the word, you have never let me down.” Sulayem replied: “Thank you my friend I am off the sample a fresh 100% female Russian at my yacht.”
Other communications show Sulayem sending Epstein a menu for a massage business with sexual services, links to pornographic websites, and Epstein sharing escort website information with the DP World executive.
The relationship gained additional scrutiny when U.S. Representative Thomas Massie posted on X (formerly Twitter) about a particularly concerning email in which Epstein wrote, “I loved the torture video.” The recipient’s name was redacted, but Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche later confirmed that “Sultan Bin Sulayem” was named elsewhere in the unredacted files.
Sulayem, who previously served as chairman of the Dubai World conglomerate, has been a prominent figure in Dubai’s economic development. Under his earlier leadership, Dubai World included Nakheel, the property developer responsible for the city’s famous palm-shaped artificial islands and other ambitious projects that helped establish Dubai as a global business hub.
Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. While the released emails do not directly implicate Sulayem in Epstein’s alleged crimes, the nature of their communications has prompted serious concerns from business partners.
This development adds to the growing list of high-profile individuals and organizations facing scrutiny for their connections to Epstein, whose network of relationships extended into the highest echelons of business, politics, and academia. The Justice Department’s release of these documents continues to send ripples through global business circles, with companies and investors increasingly sensitive to association with the Epstein scandal.
For DP World, a company with operations in more than 40 countries and handling roughly 10% of global container traffic, the reputational implications and potential business impact could be substantial if more partners follow BII and La Caisse in distancing themselves from the logistics giant.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
11 Comments
This is a concerning development. The nature of bin Sulayem’s relationship with Epstein raises serious questions about DP World’s leadership and corporate governance. Investors have a right to expect transparency and accountability from companies they back.
I agree, the emails suggest an inappropriate personal connection that could have compromised DP World’s ethical standards. Pausing new ventures is a prudent step until a full investigation is completed.
The alleged relationship between the DP World CEO and Epstein is highly concerning. Financial institutions are right to pause new ventures until a full review is conducted and corrective actions are taken. Maintaining integrity in global business is paramount.
I agree, this is a serious breach of trust that requires a thorough investigation. DP World’s reputation and shareholder value are at stake, so they must act swiftly to address the situation and regain investor confidence.
This is a complex issue with potential implications for DP World’s operations and reputation. The prudent course of action is to pause new deals until a full accounting of the CEO’s relationship with Epstein is made public. Investors deserve transparency.
Agreed. DP World must take this matter seriously and demonstrate that they have the proper ethical safeguards and oversight in place. Restoring trust with investors should be their top priority at this stage.
The revelations about the DP World CEO’s ties to Epstein are deeply troubling. Pausing new business ventures is a reasonable step until a comprehensive investigation is conducted. Investors need to be assured that DP World’s leadership upholds the highest ethical standards.
Absolutely. This is a significant reputational risk for DP World that they must address head-on. Transparency and accountability will be critical to regaining the confidence of shareholders and the broader business community.
It’s good to see Canadian and UK financial institutions taking a firm stance on this issue. Maintaining high ethical standards in business relationships is crucial, especially for large global firms. DP World needs to address this matter urgently.
Absolutely. Investors have a responsibility to ensure their capital is not supporting companies or individuals involved in unethical or illegal activities. DP World must demonstrate transparent and ethical conduct moving forward.
This is a concerning development that highlights the need for rigorous due diligence and oversight, especially when it comes to high-level corporate relationships. Financial institutions are right to exercise caution until DP World can demonstrate the integrity of its leadership.