Commissioner Sola Speaks at LNG Bunkering Summit

Commissioner Louis Sola spoke at the LNG Bunkering Summit 2023 North America, participating on a panel that explored the policy and operational issues related to Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering.

The event was held in Miami, FL, on November 14-16, 2023, and focused on supply chain sustainability, LNG bunkering, and supporting visions for cleaner fuels.

Commissioner Sola appeared on the “US Energy Policy” panel and focused his remarks on what role the Federal Maritime Commission can play in reducing carbon emissions for the shipping industry.

“The shipping industry is committed to achieving carbon neutral operations by 2050. Our government has a responsibility to facilitate this transition, both to achieve desirable environmental benefits and to facilitate creating a domestic industry that can support and supply ‘green’ supply chains. The Federal Maritime Commission has an important role to play in the transition to alternative fuels by ensuring competitive and reliable ocean transportation systems that support the U.S. economy. The United States can be a global leader in this field if our industry prioritizes alternative marine fuels.”

Commissioner Sola’s recent letter to President Biden highlighted the necessity of establishing U.S. government financial incentives that promote the switch to alternative fuels in ocean shipping similar to those that exist for the aviation industry.

“Transitioning to maritime alternative fuels on a global scale is an expansive and expensive undertaking. Finding ways to provide financial assistance through incentives and offsets is an appropriate way for the U.S. Government to make a constructive contribution toward decarbonizing shipping. We are doing it for aviation, we should be doing it for maritime.”

The US Energy Policy panel included Commissioner Sola, Amy Andryszak, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America; Peter Keller, Chairman of SEA-LNG; and Captain Dan Cost, Chief Office of Design and Engineering Standards, U.S. Coast Guard.

The panel took place the morning of November 15, 2023.

Louis E. Sola is a Commissioner with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The thoughts and comments expressed here are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission.