U.S. Port Compliance Extends Beyond Federal Rules

January 15, 2026

📝Editor’s Note

Compliance now touches every level of operations, from port calls to data streams. This week we saw a reminder that regulations can vary widely by jurisdiction, and how tools are evolving to keep pace. It raises an important question for all compliance teams: are we tracking compliance requirements with the same care as regulatory fines?

U.S. Port Compliance Extends Beyond Federal Rules

Vessels entering U.S. ports must now focus on both federal law and stricter state requirements, especially in California. Gard’s recent advisory highlights that state programs like the California Marine Invasive Species Program and the California Air Resources Board rules impose additional reporting, ballast water management, and emissions controls on ships calling at ports like Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Francisco. California’s ballast water reporting and exchange requirements do not simply mirror U.S. Coast Guard standards; they include added submission rules and emergency management obligations. Likewise, fuel and emission controls enforced by CARB require the use of low-sulfur fuels or CARB-approved emission control systems within 24 nautical miles of the coastline. Non-compliance can lead to fines, delays, or denied entry, so operators are advised to confirm requirements with local agents before arrival. This underscores the rising complexity of global compliance where federal, state, and local laws intersect.

Key takeaway: Complying with major regulatory regimes doesn’t guarantee compliance with all local laws, including state and municipal requirements, can add critical obligations and penalties.

âś… Best Practice Spotlight

Operational Compliance Practices

  1. Maintain a compliance calendar that tracks filing deadlines, reporting requirements, and audit dates at federal, state, and local levels.

  2. Perform quarterly “jurisdictional compliance audits” that review regulatory changes in key operational regions.

  3. Use scenario planning to simulate responses to intersecting compliance regimes, such as overlapping environmental and safety standards.

  4. Create internal alerts for any regulatory updates published by enforcement bodies or industry associations.

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🛠️ Tool of the Week

Zluri - SaaS Operations and Compliance Management

Zluri is a SaaS management platform that gives organizations visibility and control over their software environment. It helps compliance, IT, and finance teams manage risks and costs by uncovering shadow IT and ensuring applications meet regulatory and security standards. Zluri also automates workflows for onboarding, offboarding, and access management.

Key points about Zluri

  • Provides detailed insights into SaaS usage, contracts, and compliance status.

  • Automates provisioning and deprovisioning to reduce manual errors and compliance gaps.

  • Identifies unused or redundant applications to optimise spend and reduce risk.

  • Integrates with identity providers and financial systems for stronger control.

🌟 Leader Spotlight

Bitget Strengthens Regulatory Compliance and Expansion

Bitget, a major cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 services provider, is actively expanding while aligning with regulatory frameworks globally. The company is preparing to establish a European hub in Lithuania to comply with the EU’s MiCA regulation, working closely with authorities to meet security and operational standards. Bitget also holds licenses in markets like Poland, Italy, and Australia, and has re-entered the UK market under local financial promotion rules. These steps show a deliberate push toward regulated operations, reinforcing Bitget’s commitment to compliance and investor protection even as it scales services across regions.

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