Chairman Louis E. Sola Announcing Departure From FMC
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chaiman Louis Sola announced his departure from the agency. He gave no reason for his departure. Chairman Sola’s last day at the FMC was June 30, 2025.
President Donald Trump appointed Sola as FMC Chairman on January 20, 2025. Prior to becoming FMC Chairman, Sola served as an FMC Commissioner for six years. With Chairman Sola’s departure only five months into his tenure as Chairman, the FMC now has two vacant Commissioner seats. President Trump has not appointed a new Chairman. Chairman Sola’s departure statement is reprinted below.
Pariah regimes use shadow fleets to evade sanctions, generate revenue, and by extension, maintain power. In 2022 and 2023, the Islamic Republic of Iran generated more than $100 billion from energy exports. Cutting off the access Iran and other outlaw nations have had to these ships is vital to applying the pressure necessary to effect crucial changes.
Responsible, well run, and reputable ship registries do not want any vessel involved in skirting international norms on their rolls. This is a message I carried to Panama last July and conveyed to the most senior officials of their government.
I commend the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) for its action de-listing more than 100 vessels sanctioned by the United States and other governments. Approximately 60% of the Iran-linked shadow fleet was previously registered in Panama, but the commendable efforts of AMP have reduced that total to approximately 17%. Panama has shown leadership in responding assertively to information about bad actors plying the ocean under the Panamanian flag.
The vessels purged by the AMP must not find refuge under another flag. Removing ship registries of these unscrupulous actors and all other shadow fleet vessels is an important priority. The lack of urgency and commitment demonstrated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) toward achieving this goal is puzzling and disappointing. Its inaction in addressing false flagged vessels runs counter to the purposes listed in its mission statement of ‘… promot[ing] safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping through cooperation.’ Shadow fleet vessels undermine each of those objectives and the IMO failure to lead has created a void that must be filled.
The Federal Maritime Commission possesses authorities that can be brought to bear against nations whose laws, regulations, or practices create unfavorable shipping conditions. I have tasked our staff with identifying options on how to address the role flags of convenience play in enabling avoidance of sanctions. Registries hosting outlaw vessels used by reprehensible regimes to facilitate their evasion of international regulations would certainly qualify as conduct warranting the Commission’s attention and action.
FMC Awards Gold Medal to Departing Chairman Sola
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) awarded FMC Chairman Louis Sola a Gold Medal and Citation in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the FMC. Chairman Sola’s last day in office was June 30, 2025.
Chairman Sola served at the Commission for over six years. He was first confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 2, 2019, as a Commissioner, and President Trump appointed him as Chairman on January 20, 2025.
As Chairman, Sola has helped chart the course for a more visible FMC in international affairs. In his short tenure as Chairman, he launched an investigation of vessel flagging practices, called out shadow fleet registries, and examined global maritime chokepoints.
“It has been both a pleasure and an honor to serve on the Commission with Chairman Lou Sola. Chairman Sola has covered maritime interests around the country, from Miami to Seattle/Alaska and LA/LB to New York. He has been a visionary leader, focusing on protecting American maritime interests as we look to revitalize U.S. maritime dominance to ensure our economic security,” stated Commissioner Max Vekich. “I wish Chaiman Sola fair winds, following seas and the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.”
FMC Issues System Downtime Notice
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) announced system downtime for several of its online services. The below FMC online systems may be unavailable during the evenings from 8:00 pm – 7:00 am (EST) until further notice.
The affected applications may include:
- e-Agreements
- e-Monitoring
- Form 1 (FMC1)
- Form 18 (FMC18)
- Form 65 (FMC65)
- OTI License Renewals
Users encountering problems with these systems outside of the hours of 8:00 pm – 7:00 am (EST) should contact the FMC Office of Information Technology Helpdesk.