On April 30, 2020, the Federal Maritime Commission appointed Commissioner Sola to lead "Fact Finding 30," a federal fact-finding investigation on the impacts of
COVID-19 on the cruise industry. This investigation focused on cruise line performance, ticket refund policy, and the economic impacts of the
CDC No Sail Order. Sola recommended an "urgent need for ships to start sailing again" due to the economic impacts on the nation's ports, local governments, and small businesses. On March 25, 2021, Sola published his "cruise-forward" plan for resumption of cruising focusing upon shore side, crew and passenger vaccinations, while at the same time calling on President Joe Biden to donate vaccines with
Caribbean and Central American cruise ports. Due to the Canadian ban on cruise ships through 2022, Sola called for modification of the
Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 that require
cruise ships to stop at a foreign port before calling again on a US port, that eventually became the Alaska Tourism Act. Sola also proposed federal consumer protection rule changes to standardize refund practices in the cruise industry in order to protect passengers from cancellations. In an interview with
CNBC concerning cruise line mandates for passengers to have COVID-19 vaccinations before boarding, Sola stated, “I feel much safer on a cruise ship than I do flying." Commissioner Sola dedicated his Seatrade Outstanding Achievement Award to
seafarers and crew members, saying 'Without them, we wouldn't be here.' Following COVID-19, Sola has applied his extensive experience in international trade to the work of the Commission in meeting its mandate of ensuring a competitive and reliable supply chain focused on promoting U.S. exports through
Office Of The United States Trade Representative and the
Export–Import Bank of the United States. His 2024 renomination was publicly supported by 73 different trade, agriculture and transportation industry groups. Sola has been active advocating for the reduction of
Green House Gases in
maritime transport through greater efficiency and the use of alternate marine fuels in international trade by reaching out to stakeholders and government to form an "Alternate Marine Fuels Challenge" to reduce emissions. In an open letter to US President Joe Biden, Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis Sola has called for the private sector to form an alternative marine fuel coalition ‘to determine the appropriate standards and benchmarks for seeking progress in decarbonization’, which should also receive government financial support. In December 2024, Sola decried Spain's ban on US ships carrying aid to Israel, stating that it is "a violation of the law, and could result in substantial offsetting fines on Spanish-flag vessels, limitations on cargo carried between Spain and the United States, and other remedial actions within the commission’s discretion." Sola also said that "Disruptions to international trade systems not only threaten global shipping networks, but also compromise the consumer markets they support." President
Joe Biden renominated Sola to the Federal Maritime Commission on July 11, 2024, and sent his nomination to the United States Senate the same day. On January 20, 2025, Sola was designated Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission by President Donald J. Trump. == Recognition ==