Amid Fallout From Epstein Files, Dubai’s DP World Boss Is Replaced

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem resigned from his position as Group Chairman and CEO of Dubai-based DP World on Friday, February 13, 2026. The resignation occurred amid increased scrutiny of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, after bin Sulayem's name surfaced in recently released Epstein files. The files revealed correspondence between the two men, including discussions of business opportunities and women, even after Epstein's 2008 conviction. Bin Sulayem is credited with transforming DP World from a regional operator into a global logistics powerhouse owned by the government of Dubai. The company has appointed a new Group Chairman and CEO to replace bin Sulayem.

DP World, a major logistics company based in the United Arab Emirates, has appointed Essa Kazim as chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as group CEO, replacing Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. The change in leadership follows controversy surrounding bin Sulayem's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, revealed in recently declassified documents. The documents showed years of communication between the two, including discussions of business deals, visits to Epstein's island, and salacious comments. Bin Sulayem's name was initially redacted in the documents but was later revealed by a US Representative. DP World, which operates over 60 ports and terminals globally, claims to handle approximately 10 percent of global trade.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has resigned as chairman and chief executive of DP World, a Dubai-owned global ports operator, amid scrutiny of his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Newly released files reveal Sulayem exchanged hundreds of emails with Epstein over a decade, leading to increased pressure on DP World from business partners. The UK development finance agency and a Canadian pension fund suspended new investments, and Prince William's Earthshot project faced scrutiny due to DP World's funding. US lawmakers identified Sulayem as one of several powerful figures associated with Epstein, and highlighted an email referring to a "torture video" sent to Sulayem by Epstein. Essa Kazim has been named as the new chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as chief executive.