DP World controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
2026
Reported resignation of Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem
The reference material states that Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem resigned after reporting about his extensive relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. This event requires verification against current company and reputable news sources.
2024
Criticism over Russia-related cooperation
DP World’s cooperation with Russian organisations, including arrangements involving the Northern Sea Route, drew criticism during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention listed the company among international sponsors of war.
2023
Australian cyberattack
A cyberattack shut DP World’s Australian operations for several days, disrupted cargo flows and reportedly involved theft of data.
2022
P&O Ferries mass dismissal
P&O Ferries terminated approximately 800 British employees by video announcement and replaced them with contracted crews. The action was criticised by unions, ministers and business leaders, and a DP World non-executive director resigned in disagreement.
2020
Tribunal orders Djibouti to restore DP World's Doraleh terminal rights
Ruling
The London Court of International Arbitration ordered Djibouti to restore rights and benefits under the 2006 concession agreement to DP World and Doraleh Container Terminal within two months, or pay damages. The tribunal found that Djibouti had acted illegally when it removed DP World from management of the terminal in February 2018.
Source excerpt
A tribunal of the London Court of International Arbitration ordered Djibouti to restore the rights and benefits under the 2006 concession agreement to DP World and Doraleh Container Terminal within two months, or pay damages, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
Djibouti acted illegally when it forcibly removed DP World from management of the terminal in February 2018, claiming it had terminated the concession agreement and transferred the terminal assets to a state-owned entity, according to the ruling by the tribunal.
The company said a London tribunal ordered Djibouti to restore its rights and benefits under a 2006 concession agreement governing the Doraleh port within two months or pay damages.
2006
United States port-security controversy
The acquisition of P&O placed several US port facilities under DP World ownership and provoked bipartisan congressional opposition despite executive-branch approval. DP World later transferred those operations to a US entity.