The U.S. has declared a national emergency due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and taken action to improve security at American ports.

As part of the national emergency announcement, U.S. President Joe Biden invoked emergency authority to ban Russian-affiliated vessels from entering U.S. ports. Ships owned or operated by Russian citizens or registered in Russia are affected by the ruling, which includes exceptions pertaining to humanitarian use and the import of specific approved materials.

In his emergency declaration, Biden explained the reasons for designating the national emergency, stating, "The policies and actions of the Government of the Russian Federation to continue the premeditated, unjustified, unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine constitute a national emergency by reason of a disturbance or threatened disturbance of international relations of the United States."

The Secretary of Homeland Security has been authorized to develop further rulings regarding Russian access to U.S. ports.