Decree-Law No. 28/2016 regulating the registration, nationality, trademarks, documentation and tonnage of ships, the ship classification society and shipbuilding contracts contained in Book IV of the Cape Verde Maritime Code.

This Decree-Law, consisting of 147 articles, divided into twelve Chapters, regulates vessels' requirements, such as: registration, nationality, marks, documentation, tonnage, classification society and shipbuilding contracts contained in Book IV of the Cape Verde Maritime Code, approved by Legislative Decree 14/2010 of 15 November. It applies to all vessels, unless otherwise provided by law. Recreational vessels, in addition to the provisions of the Cape Verde Maritime Code, shall be governed by special legislation. Vessels are, under the terms of article 160 of the Cape Verde Maritime Code, obligatorily subject to property registration, so that they can carry out the activity that determines their classification. The purpose of the register is to: a) Ascertain that the technical requirements and safety conditions necessary for navigation and protection of the marine environment have been met and is a precondition for registration; and b) Advertise the legal status of vessels with a view to securing their legal trade.