U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Laura DiBella and FMC Commissioner Robert J. Harvey will visit Sri Lanka from September 6–10, in a move aimed at advancing U.S.-Sri Lanka cooperation on maritime trade, investment and the shipping networks connecting American businesses and consumers to markets across the Indo-Pacific.
During their visit, DiBella and Harvey will meet senior Sri Lankan government and maritime leaders, placing Colombo’s role in international shipping at the centre of discussions between the two countries. DiBella will also deliver remarks at the 8th Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference, while Harvey will serve on a panel at the event.
The visit comes as the United States highlights the significance of Colombo’s position in regional maritime trade. U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer said that more than 80 percent of the containers moving through Colombo continue on to destinations around the world, describing this as a “remarkable illustration of Sri Lanka’s role at the heart of Indian Ocean shipping”.
“Chairman DiBella’s visit recognizes the importance of that role and provides an opportunity to deepen our cooperation with the people and institutions that keep this vital trade moving across the Indo-Pacific,” Meyer said.
He added that secure and efficient shipping creates opportunities for American businesses, strengthens Sri Lanka’s position as a regional hub and supports prosperity in both economies.
Established in 1961, the Federal Maritime Commission is an independent federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers and consumers. The commission works to promote a competitive and reliable international ocean transportation system while protecting the American public from unfair or deceptive practices in the shipping industry.
DiBella has led the Federal Maritime Commission since January 2026 following her nomination by President Donald J. Trump. Her appointment followed a nomination on September 3, 2025, Senate confirmation on December 18, 2025, and her swearing-in on January 6, 2026. President Donald J. Trump designated her Chairman of the commission on January 28, 2026.
Before joining the FMC, DiBella served as Florida’s first female Secretary of Commerce, President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, and President of Business Development at the Florida Department of Commerce. Her maritime career began in 2017 when she temporarily served as Port Director of the Port of Fernandina Ocean Highway and Port Authority while heading local economic development in Nassau County, Florida. She later became the first-ever full-time Executive Director of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association in November 2019.
Harvey, also from Florida, was nominated by President Trump on September 3, 2025, for a term expiring on June 30, 2029. The U.S. Senate confirmed him on May 18, 2026, and he was sworn in as a commissioner on June 1, 2026.
His background spans economic development, law and maritime affairs. He previously served as President & Executive Director of the Florida Opportunity Fund and as Executive Director of the Florida Development Finance Corporation, as well as General Counsel at Enterprise Florida. He has also worked as a partner at several law firms specialising in securities litigation, arbitration and regulation.
A U.S. Navy veteran and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Harvey began his maritime career as a Lieutenant Commander in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He has a strong interest in the international law of the sea, including freedom of navigation and the right of innocent passage, and is focused on emerging maritime technologies covering route and fleet optimization, sensing and navigation, cybersecurity, secure communications, predictive maintenance and environmental modelling.
The visit by the two senior FMC officials places maritime connectivity, trade efficiency and Colombo’s role in international shipping firmly on the agenda of U.S.-Sri Lankan engagement, while bringing senior American maritime regulators directly into discussions with Sri Lankan government and industry leaders.
