What specifically does Thorn Run's new LatAm practice offer to supply chain companies?

The practice provides strategic guidance on market entry, supply chain diversification, and investment opportunities across Latin America. The team offers expertise in government relations, international trade, maritime policy, logistics infrastructure, economic development, and public-private engagement. They leverage on-the-ground relationships and policy expertise to help clients navigate regulatory environments, maritime infrastructure, and geopolitical dynamics specific to Latin American markets.

Why is Louis Sola's background as FMC Chairman significant for this role?

Sola's tenure as Federal Maritime Commission Chairman provides deep expertise in maritime policy, ocean freight regulation, and port infrastructure—critical elements for any supply chain operation in Latin America. This regulatory knowledge helps clients understand how maritime policies shape logistics costs, shipping routes, and trade flows in the Western Hemisphere, giving them a competitive advantage in market planning.

How does this practice relate to the broader nearshoring trend?

The practice directly supports nearshoring strategies by helping companies establish or expand operations in geographically proximate Latin American markets. As noted in the announcement, the Western Hemisphere is experiencing 'profound economic realignment' with supply chain diversification and nearshoring 'rewriting the rules of regional trade.' Thorn Run's team helps companies capitalize on these structural changes.

What industries and sectors does the practice target?

The practice serves organizations in supply chains, logistics, energy, and critical industries. The multidisciplinary team is equipped to support companies across diverse sectors seeking to strengthen regional partnerships, diversify supply sources, and expand market presence in Latin America.

What operational challenges might companies face that this practice addresses?

Companies entering Latin American markets face challenges including navigating inconsistent regulatory frameworks across countries, understanding maritime infrastructure capabilities and limitations, managing geopolitical risks, identifying reliable supply chain partners, and structuring public-private engagement. Thorn Run's combination of government relations expertise, maritime policy knowledge, and on-the-ground relationships specifically targets these multifaceted challenges.

Trade Policy & Tariffs

Moderate

Thorn Run Launches LatAm Practice Led by Ex-FMC Chief

Jul 3, 2026

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The signal

Thorn Run Partners, a Washington-based consulting firm, has formally launched a dedicated Latin America Business Opportunities Practice led by former Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Louis Sola. The seven-person team combines deep government relations expertise with maritime policy knowledge to help organizations entering or expanding operations in Latin American markets. This move reflects broader industry trends toward supply chain diversification and nearshoring as companies seek alternatives to traditional Asian supply routes and manufacturing hubs. The practice will focus on identifying investment opportunities, navigating regulatory environments, and connecting clients with key stakeholders across logistics, energy, and critical industries throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The timing of this announcement aligns with a significant shift in global supply chain strategy. Companies are actively reevaluating sourcing patterns and manufacturing locations in response to geopolitical uncertainties, tariff pressures, and the need for supply chain resilience. Latin America presents attractive opportunities due to geographic proximity to North American markets, developing infrastructure, and emerging trade integration. However, entering these markets requires sophisticated understanding of localized regulations, maritime infrastructure constraints, and political complexities—areas where Sola's FMC background and the team's collective experience provide tangible value.

For supply chain professionals, this development signals both opportunity and complexity. Organizations considering Latin American expansion or nearshoring initiatives now have access to specialized advisory resources to navigate policy landscapes and infrastructure challenges. However, it also underscores that market entry in the region remains complicated enough to justify premium consulting services, suggesting that companies cannot rely on standard playbooks developed for more mature markets.

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#latin-america-expansion

#supply-chain-diversification

#maritime-policy

#government-relations

#western-hemisphere

#trade-opportunity

#regional-logistics