The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Louis Sola announced his departure from the agency. Chairman Sola’s last day at the FMC was June 30, 2025. He gave no reason for his departure.

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.

June 30, 2025, marks the conclusion of my tenure as Chairman of the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Serving our Nation in this capacity has been the honor of a lifetime. I have had the privilege of helping safeguard the integrity of the U.S. maritime industry, bringing greater transparency to port operations, and overseeing a supply chain that moves more than $5 trillion in goods annually.

Nominated by President Donald J. Trump in 2018 and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, I entered this role with clear objectives: to strengthen American competitiveness, protect our ports and supply chain from foreign influence, and bring lasting accountability to the global shipping system. On January 20, 2025, just hours after his second inauguration, President Trump named me Chairman. I am sincerely grateful for the trust he placed in me and for his steadfast commitment to the America First agenda.

I often reflect on the improbability of this journey. That a kid from Goodland, Indiana, who lost his mother to opioids, joined the U.S. Army at 18, and worked his way through service and adversity that could then lead a vital federal agency is a testament to the promise and opportunities of this country. I carry that experience with me every day – Always Out Front – and have worked to ensure others are given the same chance to serve, succeed, and lead.

During my time at the Commission, I led Fact Finding 30—an investigation into commercial measures that passenger cruise lines could adopt to mitigate COVID-19 related impacts. During those deepest, darkest hours, I worked tirelessly to address the post-COVID-19 supply chain logistics crisis disruptions. I have also been a staunch supporter of U.S. LNG as a maritime fuel source. Recently, under my leadership, the Commission launched a major investigation into flags of convenience, which resulted in calls for the deflagging of more than 140 sanctioned vessels.

I was honored to testify before Congress and to work closely with the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to craft strategic maritime policies that serve America’s long-term interests. And I want to thank my FMC colleagues who share a strong commitment to strengthening America’s supply chain and investing in critical infrastructure. Their partnership and vision have helped ensure the resilience and security of our maritime economy.

Throughout my tenure, I engaged with senior partners across the U.S. Government to elevate the vital connection between maritime infrastructure, national security, and global trade. I was especially proud to be recognized by my hometown of Miami-Dade County, Florida, and to be named Seatrade Cruise Man of the Year for my contributions to building a more secure and competitive American maritime future.

These accomplishments would not have been possible without the support  of President Trump and the exceptional professionals in the Administration. I am also deeply grateful to my family for their unwavering support. I truly believe that public service is a privilege!

I bid you all a very heartfelt goodbye.

Louis E. Sola
 Chairman
U.S. Federal Maritime Commission

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 Chairman Sola fair winds, following seas and the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.”

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) received two new formal complaints in June 2025 alleging violations of the U.S. Shipping Act and FMC regulations.

Unreasonable Shipping Practices & D&D Charges – FMC Docket No. 25-09: QVC, Inc. and Cornerstone Brands, Inc., filed a formal complaint against Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE) alleging various violations of the U.S. Shipping Act.

Specifically, QVC and Cornerstone Brands alleges that during 2021-2022 ONE consistently failed to meet their existing service contract commitments. As a result, QVC and Cornerstone Brands were forced to buy space on the spot market at enormous expense. QVC and Cornerstone Brands also allege that the carrier coerced them to pay additional extracontractual surcharges, such as peak season surcharges (PSS). Lastly, QVC and Cornerstone Brands alleges the carrier charged detention and demurrage fees when QVC and Cornerstone Brands were unable to pick up or return containers due to circumstances outside of their control, such as congestion at ports and equipment shortages.

As a result of the ONE’s actions, QVC and Cornerstone Brands allege that they suffered over $20 million in damages.

QVC and Cornerstone Brands requests the Commission order the carrier to pay reparations, including interest, attorneys’ fees and costs, order ONE to cease and desist from the unlawful conduct, and provide any other further relief that the FMC deems appropriate.

Unreasonable Shipping Practices – FMC Docket No. 25-11:  Phillip Marciano LLC, a New York-based apparel wholesaler, filed a formal complaint against US Cargo Services Inc., a Texas-based non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), alleging various violations of the U.S. Shipping Act.

Specifically, in March and April 2025 Phillip Marciano engaged with US Cargo Services to move three garment shipments. Allegedly, upon arrival and customs clearance, US Cargo Services refused to release the goods to Phillip Marciano. As a result, the shipments incurred additional penalties and charges for late equipment return. Phillip Marciano also suffered significant losses due to order cancellations resulting from US Cargo’s refusal to release the shipments. Lastly, Phillip Marciano alleges that US Cargo Services refuses to negotiate with them for the shipments’ release.

As a result of the carriers’ actions, Philip Marciano allege that they suffered at least $430,840.40 in damages.

Phillip Marciano requests the Commission investigate this matter and order the Respondents to cease and desist from these Shipping Act violations, to pay reparations and expenses, and to provide any other relief the Commission deems proper.

For more details visit the FMC’s online reading room. The FMC’s reading room provides access to FMC dockets, related documents, notices, and orders.

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.

Several leading carriers serving the Transpacific container trades have recently updated their respective tariffs to include new General Rate Increases (GRIs) effective July 15, 2025, including CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, HMM Company Limited, Ocean Network Express (ONE), Yang Ming, and ZIM. See table below for GRI amounts per 40ft container; GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. The July 15th GRIs will be the fourteenth GRI of 2025 for the East Asia/USA trade lane. 

NOTE 1:  COSCO GRIs apply on all cargo moving under service contracts only.   

NOTE 2:  Evergreen GRIs will be USD 3000 per 40ft container for dry cargo, and USD 3000 per reefer container. GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. 

Some carriers also updated their tariffs to include new General Rate Increases (GRIs) effective August 1, 2025, including CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, HMM Company Limited, Ocean Network Express (ONE), Yang Ming, and ZIM. See table below for GRI amounts per 40ft container; GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. The August 1st GRIs will be the fifteenth GRI of 2025 for the East Asia/USA trade lane. 

NOTE 1:  COSCO GRIs apply on all cargo moving under service contracts only.   

NOTE 2:  Evergreen GRIs will be USD 3000 per 40ft container for dry cargo, and USD 3000 per reefer container. GRI amounts for all other container sizes are as per formula. 

Each carrier maintains its own tariffs and controls its own pricing.

The information contained herein is obtained from reliable sources. It is subject to change at any time, however, depending on changes in laws and regulations. While we continually attempt to monitor this information, we do not guarantee its accuracy and are not responsible for any damages suffered by any party in reliance on it.