Professional Diploma in Port Compliance and Regulations
This professional diploma prepares you to design, run and audit compliance programs for port authorities, terminals and port service companies. You will study port governance, concessions and the role of the compliance officer, ISO 37301 compliance management, anti-corruption law, ISO 37001 and whistleblowing, the ISPS Code and port cyber security, customs compliance, AEO status, sanctions and anti-money laundering, environmental rules and MARPOL reception facilities, occupational health and safety in port work, and competition, tariff transparency, public procurement and data protection, ending with an integrated compliance plan for a port facility.
Prior knowledge check
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What is the Professional Diploma in Port Compliance and Regulations?
This professional diploma gives you an integrated view of the rules that a port organization must comply with and of the systems that keep it compliant. You will learn how port governance models, concessions and supervisory bodies shape legal responsibilities, how a compliance management system under ISO 37301 is built, how corruption, facilitation payments and conflicts of interest are prevented with ISO 37001, due diligence and whistleblowing channels, how the ISPS Code, port facility security assessments and plans and cyber risk management protect the terminal, how customs, AEO, sanctions screening and anti-money laundering controls secure the supply chain, and how environmental, occupational safety, competition, procurement and data protection obligations are met and audited.
What sets this professional diploma apart: a cross-cutting approach that brings legal, security, customs, environmental and labor compliance together in one framework; a strong grounding in international standards such as ISO 37301, ISO 37001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001; specific attention to port risks such as bribery in clearance processes, illicit trafficking in containers and sanctions on ships and cargo; practical coverage of competition law, tariff transparency and fair access to technical-nautical services; tools for audits, inspections and incident response; and a final project in which you draw up and defend a complete compliance and audit plan for a port terminal.
Program highlights
- Integrated approach: legal, security, customs, environmental and labor compliance together.
- International standards: ISO 37301, ISO 37001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 in port settings.
- Integrity and anti-bribery: FCPA, UK Bribery Act, due diligence and whistleblowing channels.
- Supply chain security: ISPS Code, AEO status, sanctions screening and anti-money laundering.
- Fair markets: competition, tariff transparency, public procurement and data protection.
- Final project: an integrated compliance and audit plan for a port facility.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Port Compliance and Regulations
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of port compliance and the legal and institutional framework
- 1.1. Introduction to compliance in the port sector: core concepts, the evolution of regulatory compliance and a culture of integrity in terminals
- 1.2. The international port regulatory framework: the role of the IMO, UNCTAD, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and applicable conventions
- 1.3. Port governance models: port authorities, landlord, tool, private and service port models and their legal responsibilities
- 1.4. The port concession and license regime: concession contracts, tender specifications, rights of use and operator obligations
- 1.5. The port compliance officer: profile, functions, independence, criminal liability and corporate governance
- 1.6. Supervision and regulatory bodies: inspection powers of maritime, customs, environmental and competition authorities
- 1.7. ISO compliance and integrity standards: implementing ISO 37301 (compliance management systems) in port environments
- 1.8. Regulatory compliance programs (ISO 37301)
Corruption prevention, anti-bribery and business ethics
- 2.1. Corruption risks in port operations: identifying vulnerable areas in customs formalities, inspections and berth allocation
- 2.2. The anti-corruption legal framework: the US FCPA, the UK Bribery Act, the United Nations Convention against Corruption and local legislation
- 2.3. Facilitation payments and extortion on board: protocols for preventing and refusing improper demands at the ship-port interface
- 2.4. Implementing ISO 37001 (anti-bribery management systems): anti-bribery policies and financial and non-financial controls in the terminal
- 2.5. Whistleblowing channels and whistleblower protection: secure and confidential channels and non-retaliation protocols
- 2.6. Third-party due diligence: integrity assessment of ship agents, suppliers, contractors and business partners
- 2.7. Conflicts of interest and gifts policy: declarations of interest, limits on business hospitality and transparency registers
- 2.8. Reporting channels and protection of informants
Port security, the ISPS Code and cyber security
- 3.1. The ISPS Code in port facilities: SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and responsibilities at the ship-port interface
- 3.2. The port facility security officer (PFSO): functions, competences, coordination with law enforcement and appointment
- 3.3. Port facility security assessment (PFSA): methodology for identifying threats, vulnerabilities and risk level
- 3.4. Port facility security plan (PFSP): drafting, security levels 1, 2 and 3, audits and approval by the authority
- 3.5. Access control and physical security: control of people, cargo, baggage and vehicles and demarcation of restricted areas in the terminal
- 3.6. Compliance in port cyber security: managing cyber risks in OT and IT systems, protecting terminal operating systems (TOS) and IMO guidelines
- 3.7. ISPS verification and certification: inspection processes, issue of the Statement of Compliance of a Port Facility and mandatory exercises
- 3.8. The port facility security plan
Customs compliance, supply chain security and foreign trade
- 4.1. The customs legal framework in ports: customs legislation, free zones, bonded areas and temporary storage facilities
- 4.2. Authorized Economic Operator (AEO): the WCO SAFE Framework, compliance requirements, benefits and the certification process for port operators
- 4.3. Anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing: control of financial operations and money laundering typologies in foreign trade
- 4.4. International sanctions and restrictive lists: compliance with OFAC, EU and UN sanctions in the admission of ships and cargo
- 4.5. Preventing illicit trafficking: controls against drug trafficking, smuggling, arms trafficking and counterfeit goods in containers
- 4.6. Manifest management and digital documentation: legal compliance in the electronic transmission of cargo data (Single Window)
- 4.7. Customs audits and inspections: responding to inspections, handling inventory discrepancies and the customs penalty regime
- 4.8. The Authorized Economic Operator
Environmental regulations, port sustainability and MARPOL
- 5.1. Environmental management in port terminals: compliance with local and international rules on the protection of coasts and waters
- 5.2. Reception of ship waste (MARPOL Annexes V and VI): terminal obligations to provide adequate port reception facilities (PRF)
- 5.3. Spill prevention and response: oil pollution contingency plans (OPRC 90), containment booms and remediation
- 5.4. Air emissions control: air quality rules, shore power (cold ironing or onshore power supply) and noise
- 5.5. Dredging and sediment management: environmental permits for dredging, disposal of material and protection of marine ecosystems
- 5.6. Green ports and ISO 14001: sustainability indicators, decarbonisation of terminal equipment and energy efficiency
- 5.7. Environmental risk matrix and impact assessment (EIA): environmental impact studies for port expansions and compliance audits
- 5.8. Port waste and emissions management
Occupational health and safety in port work
- 6.1. The OHS legal framework in port operations: ILO instruments (Recommendation 152), OSHA regulations and applicable national legislation
- 6.2. Risk management in cargo handling: safety protocols for gantry, STS and RTG cranes, forklifts and hook operations
- 6.3. Handling and stowage of dangerous goods: the IMDG Code in the terminal, segregation areas, labeling and dedicated emergency plans
- 6.4. Implementing ISO 45001 in terminals: occupational health and safety management systems, leadership and worker participation
- 6.5. Investigation of port accidents and incidents: reporting methodology, root cause analysis, corrective actions and notification to the authorities
- 6.6. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and work at height and in confined spaces: specific rules for quay staff, lashers and slingers
- 6.7. Emergency plans and medical evacuation: first aid protocols in the terminal, coordination with ambulances and disaster response
- 6.8. Coordination of business activities in the port
Competition law, free competition and transparency in port services
- 7.1. Competition regulation in the port sector: preventing monopolistic practices, abuse of dominant position and tariff collusion
- 7.2. Transparency in port tariff setting: rules on tariff schedules, mandatory services and non-discrimination of users
- 7.3. Operational neutrality and impartiality: guaranteeing non-discriminatory access to quays and to pilotage, towage and mooring services
- 7.4. Technical-nautical port services: legal regulation and concessions for towage, pilotage, mooring and launch services
- 7.5. Compliance in port public tenders: transparency in public procurement, public-private partnerships (PPP) and terminal tenders
- 7.6. Personal data protection in the port environment: compliance with privacy rules (GDPR and local laws) in access and crew records
- 7.7. Dispute resolution and user complaints: customer service channels, administrative mediation and procedures before regulators
- 7.8. The concession and tariff regime
Final project: compliance plan and regulatory audit for a port facility
- 8.1. Defining the project scenario: choosing a type of port terminal (container, bulk, multipurpose or cruise) and its regulatory context
- 8.2. Integrated compliance risk matrix: identifying and prioritizing legal, environmental, anti-corruption, security and OHS risks
- 8.3. Drafting the code of conduct and compliance policies: compliance policy, anti-corruption manual and ISPS security protocol
- 8.4. Designing the whistleblowing channel and due diligence: internal investigation procedure and supplier due diligence matrix
- 8.5. Emergency and legal contingency response plan: protocol for customs inspections, detentions or spills
- 8.6. Audit and continuous monitoring plan: internal audit schedule, key compliance indicators (KPIs) and training plan
- 8.7. Presentation of the compliance plan
- 8.8. Final presentation: defense of the integrated port compliance plan before a panel of maritime law specialists, auditors and port authority representatives
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Port Compliance and Regulations
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Professional Diploma in Port Compliance and Regulations
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Port Compliance and Regulations
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Port Compliance and Regulations
The port and logistics sector: port authorities, container, bulk, multipurpose and cruise terminals, port service providers and the companies that operate in them.
Corporate compliance and anti-bribery, port security and cyber security, customs and supply chain security, environmental rules, occupational health and safety, competition, procurement and data protection.
No. Navalis teaches the ISPS framework in depth; the designation and mandatory training of a PFSO depend on the rules of each maritime administration.
Yes. You work with ISO 37301 on compliance management, ISO 37001 on anti-bribery, ISO 14001 on environmental management and ISO 45001 on occupational health and safety.
You choose a type of terminal and draw up its integrated compliance plan: risk matrix, code of conduct and policies, whistleblowing channel, due diligence, contingency protocols and an audit and monitoring plan.
It helps, but it is not essential. Professionals from port operations, customs, logistics, security or environmental management can join; the admission interview confirms the fit.
The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of about 100 hours each and ends with a final project. It is taught fully online, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
More programs in Law and regulation
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at lawyers and consultants who want to specialize in port regulation, risk management and compliance, port executives and managers seeking stronger governance, ethics and sustainability skills, public officials and regulators, logistics and foreign trade professionals, and security and environmental managers. A degree in law, business administration, political science or a related field, or professional experience in the port, customs or logistics sector, is recommended, together with basic knowledge of administrative, commercial and port law.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.