Leading financial institutions from Canada and the United Kingdom have suspended future collaborations with global logistics firm DP World following the disclosure of extensive email correspondence between company CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The communications, unveiled in recently released U.S. Department of Justice documents, contain explicit references to sexual content and escort services spanning several years.
British International Investment, the UK’s development finance agency, announced it will withhold new investments with DP World until the company implements necessary corrective measures. Similarly, La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, one of Canada’s largest pension funds, has paused further capital deployment with the Dubai-based port operator.
The email exchanges, dating from 2009 to 2018, reveal a longstanding personal relationship between Sulayem and Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. Among the most concerning communications is a 2009 message where Epstein references a ‘torture video’ he apparently received from Sulayem. Subsequent emails include Sulayem’s description of a ‘100% female Russian’ on his yacht, menus from massage businesses offering sexual services, and direct links to pornographic websites.
While the correspondence does not directly implicate Sulayem in Epstein’s criminal activities, the nature of the discussions has prompted serious concern among DP World’s investment partners. Both financial institutions emphasized they are not direct investors in DP World but have previously collaborated on global port infrastructure projects.
DP World, which operates the massive Jebel Ali port in Dubai and numerous international terminals, has remained silent despite multiple requests for comment. Sulayem previously served as chairman of Dubai World, the conglomerate behind Dubai’s iconic palm-shaped artificial islands.