Laura DiBella nominated to replace Louis Sola as FMC commissioner

Laura DiBella (above) has been selected by the Trump administration as a Federal Maritime Commissioner (FMC), two months on from Louis Sola’s departure from the role.

Ms DiBella’s nomination was brought to light by reports pointing out that her nomination had been sent to the Senate for approval, alongside the nomination of Robert Harvey as FMC commissioner.

If nominated, she will serve until 2028, bringing extensive government and logistics experience, having served as Florida’s first female secretary of commerce.

Ms DiBella wrote on LinkedIn: “I am blessed, grateful and, quite frankly, still speechless about this and am beyond humbled and honoured to even be considered to serve in such a critical role in this administration.

“I look forward to the confirmation hearing and returning to the maritime space, which I absolutely love. Thank you for your faith in me, President Trump.”

Mr Sola, having been appointed under President Trump’s first administration as FMC international shipping regulator, stepped down at the end of June after more than seven years with the agency but having served fewer than six months in the top job.

Given Mr Sola’s short stint, reports suggested his departure was indicative of disquiet behind the scenes.

However, he told reporters his original five-year term with the FMC included two ‘carry-over’ years, in the event he was not re-nominated by then President Biden, and with the carry-over years ending at the start of July, his departure was “always planned this way”.

Nonetheless, rumours have been swirling that the stepdown was indicative of “strange things” going on at the maritime agency.

Suggestions are the FMC may have fallen victim to the Trump administration’s DOGE-led efforts to cut government bureaucracy, raising questions over its recent successes against carrier corruption.