Archive for the ‘Sola’ Category

Statement by Commissioners Bentzel and Sola Following Meetings with Gulf Coast Region

Commissioners Carl Bentzel and Louis Sola traveled to the Southeastern United States in November for meetings with port officials and industry representatives in New Orleans, Mobile, and Gulfport. The purpose of the trip was to evaluate the region’s inland distribution network and to review alternate port options for international container… Read More »

Commissioner Sola Meets with Senior Leadership of MSC and CMA to Discuss Environmental Issues

Commissioner Louis Sola met with senior executives of containership operators Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM in their respective headquarters during a European trip earlier this month to learn how these companies are working to address ocean shipping’s environmental impact. Captain Gianluigi Aponte (Founder and Chairman of MSC Group)… Read More »

Commissioner Sola Guest Commentary Appears in USCG Publication

An article written by Commissioner Louis Sola was featured in the Summer 2022 edition of the Cruise Ship Round Turn, a publication of the Coast Guard’s Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise. In the commentary, Commissioner Sola highlights the criticality of partnerships, cooperation, and a commitment to risk mitigation were key… Read More »

Letter of Commissioner Sola to President Joe Biden

Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis E. Sola wrote the President on June 23, 2022, regarding the Hugh Leatherman terminal in Charleston, South Carolina. Text of the letter: Dear President Biden: Thank you for your kind invitation to attend the Ocean Shipping Reform Act signing ceremony last Thursday. With your signature you have… Read More »

Statements of  Commissioners Bentzel, Sola, and Vekich regarding Comments Submitted to the Surface Transportation Board on the Proposed Consolidation of the Railroad Systems of Canadian Pacific Railway and the Kansas City Southern Railway

Federal Maritime Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel, Louis E. Sola, and Max M. Vekich, in their capacity as individual Commissioners, submitted comments Wednesday to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) objecting to the proposed consolidation of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Ltd. (CP) and the Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS). The three Commissioners urged… Read More »

Statement by Commissioners Sola and Bentzel on Demurrage and Detention Relief by Ocean Carriers and Marine Terminal Operators due to the Expeditors Cybersecurity Incident

We understand that the supply chain is competitive, interdependent, and complex. In our everchanging world, the shipping industry is constantly working through major operational and cargo volume challenges to make itself more efficient all the while maintaining the integrity, security, and fluidity of the supply chain. On February 20, 2022,… Read More »

Commissioner Louis E. Sola Honored with Master Key and Honorary Lead Pilot

Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis E. Sola was honored by the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) with the award of its Master Key and Honorary Lead Pilot distinction. Ms. Ilya Espino de Marotta, Deputy Administrator and Vice President for Operations of the PCA, presided over the January 25th ceremony held in Panama… Read More »

Statement by Commissioner Louis E. Sola Regarding Future Bookings on Crystal Cruises

In light of certain recently reported events, passengers with future bookings on Crystal Cruises may be concerned about their ability to receive refunds for future tickets they have purchased.  Customers who bought a voyage embarking from a U.S. port have consumer protection safeguards in place by the FMC.   Crystal Cruises has… Read More »

Fact Finding 30 Final Report Released

The passenger cruise sector has implemented standards and safeguards that allow a vital part of the travel and hospitality industries to operate while managing health risks to vessel crew and passengers. Federal Maritime Commission Commissioner Louis E. Sola summarized this nearly two-year effort in the final report issued today on Fact Finding 30…. Read More »

Commissioners Bentzel and Sola visit PNW to explore port congestion & cruise industry issues

Federal Maritime Commissioners Carl W. Bentzel and Louis E. Sola traveled to Washington state the week of November 15-19, 2021, for meetings with port, maritime, and the cruise industry stakeholders to discuss pandemic-related impacts to those sectors and the broader issues of port competitiveness. While in the Pacific Northwest, the Commissioners met with local Coast Guard leadership and toured the Puget Sound to assess the impact of containerships anchored there waiting for access to the ports. During a site visit to the Port… Read More »