The performances of the Nautical Training Center encouraged the Government to further develop the maritime sector in the Cape Verdean economy with a new institution of greater scope.

Decree-Law No. 40/96, of October 21, 1996, made official the creation of the Instituto Superior de Engenharias e Ciências do Mar (ISECMAR), based in Mindelo, São Vicente. As stated in the official texts, its mission consists of "training personnel in the areas of engineering and marine sciences at all levels" and "conducting research and experimental development activities in the field of science and technology," but also "providing courses in other areas," among others.

It is also worth noting that the texts foresee a diverse offer of courses and training, namely

1. Higher training in the branches of Engineering and Marine Sciences;
2. Courses that qualify for the exercise of maritime functions in the Merchant Navy and Fishing classes;
3. Courses in port administration and maritime transport;
4. Professional courses in Radiotechnics and Electronics in the maritime, aeronautical and telecommunications fields;
5. Short duration courses, creditable with appropriate certificates and diplomas;
6. Updating, recycling, specialization, improvement or professional reconversion courses;
7. Research and experimental development work in the fields of science and technology;
8. Other activities that prove to be convenient in the scope of Cape Verde's economic development;
9. (...) Studies and service provision, contributing to the development of the community (cf. paragraph 1 of art. 3 of the Statutes).

In this way, ISECMAR has provided Cape Verde with a high level formative institution in the maritime sector.

For more information about the Higher Institute of Engineering and Marine Sciences, see pages 84-98 of the book by Bartolomeu Varela, "The evolution of public higher education in Cape Verde: from the creation of the Secondary Education Teachers Training Course to the installation of the Public University" (Edições Universidade de Cabo Verde & Bartolomeu Lopes Varela, 2013), accessible online through the link.