Commissioner Sola Visits Houston for Panel Discussion and Meetings with Local Maritime Leaders

Commissioner Louis Sola recently visited Houston, participating in events and meetings with local maritime and trade executives where the current state of the industry, infrastructure required to support shipping, and the gateway’s future were among the topics of discussion.

The visit centered on Commissioner Sola’s participation on the “State of Ports” panel, a discussion organized by the East End Chamber of Commerce for Port Houston Appreciation Day held on November 12. During his portion of the panel, Commissioner Sola was asked about his ongoing Fact Finding 30 examination of COVID-19 impacts to the passenger cruise industry, as well as a variety of operational and market issues related to container shipping.

Separate from his panel appearance, Commissioner Sola met with a group of Port Houston stakeholders about topics of concern to vessel operators and port customers such as widening the channel, restrictions on vessel traffic, impacts of COVID-19, and plans for port expansion.

The session with industry was followed by a meeting with Port Houston executives and a tour of their facilities.

Before completing his visit to Houston, Commissioner Sola met with Alan Robb, President, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District of International Longshoreman’s Association, and other members of the union. In addition to similar topics covered in other meetings, Commissioner Sola was briefed about labor issues and a joint labor/port management initiative designed to improve turn times for dray operators serving the port.

Commissioner Louis Sola (Right) receives briefing about port infrastructure from Roger Guenther (Left), Executive Director Port Houston.

Commissioner Louis Sola (Right) and Alan Robb, President South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District ILA discuss impact to longshore labor from COVID-19.