Royal Decree No.35 of 1981 issuing the Maritime Act.

This Act consists of 7 Books divided into 392 articles: on the board of the ship (I); ship's personnel (II); regulation of marine activities (III); supplying debts (IV); exploitation of the ship (V); marine accidents (VI); marine insurance (VII). This Act shall apply to all maritime navigation except for military ships or ships operating for public interests. Actions concerning the establishment, transfer or devolution of ownership rights on the board of ships shall be carried out by a formal letter or by a definitive sentence (art. 18). Book I also includes provisions on: ship’s documents; inspection on ships; ownership of ships; registration of ships; registration and revocation of rights related to ships; ships' owners and suppliers of equipment. Book III contains provisions on marine activity contracts, and on sailor and supplier duties. Provisions of Book IV include: marine loans for exploitation; marine privileges; marine pawns; confiscation of ships; precautionary confiscation; executive confiscation. Book V addresses matters related to the lease of ships, marine transport contracts, transport of goods and transport of persons.