US Maritime Commission chiefs to visit Lanka to boost shipping ties

US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Laura DiBella and Commissioner Robert J. Harvey will journey to Sri Lanka from September 6 to 10. The primary objective of their visit is to strengthen US-Sri Lanka collaboration in maritime trade, investment, and shipping routes that link American enterprises and consumers to markets across the Indo-Pacific region.

During their visit, Chairman DiBella and Commissioner Harvey will engage with key Sri Lankan government officials and maritime stakeholders. Chairman DiBella is set to address the audience at the 8th Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference, while Commissioner Harvey will participate in a panel discussion. According to U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer, "Over 80 percent of the containers passing through Colombo continue to far-flung destinations globally, a testament to Sri Lanka's pivotal position at the core of Indo-Pacific shipping."

The Chairman's visit underscores the significance of this role and offers an avenue to augment cooperation with the entities maintaining this critical trade flow across the Indo-Pacific. "Secure and efficient shipping generates prospects for American businesses, bolsters Sri Lanka's standing as a regional hub, and bolsters prosperity in both our economies," Meyer emphasized.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) was established in 1961 as an independent federal agency tasked with overseeing the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the advantage of U.S. exporters, importers, and consumers. The FMC strives to foster a competitive and dependable international ocean transportation system and safeguard the American public from dishonest or deceptive practices within the shipping sector.