Considering the geographical position of Cape Verde in the Atlantic and the development of economic and commercial activities associated with it (merchant shipping, fishing, tourist yachting, etc.), there is an increasing need for trained personnel in the nautical area. It was in this sense that the Decree-Law nº 57/82, of June 19th created the Nautical Training Center (CFN), to replace the Cabotage School. This initiative was made possible thanks to funding from the Norwegian Government and the support of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

After a few years of operation, the CFN already had a larger number of national technicians, and also six international technicians. Through Project CV/NOR/79/01 (name of the first actions implemented within the scope of the Center), the CFN provided long and short-term postgraduate courses, in the country and abroad, with a leadership entirely assumed by the Director of the institution.

The Center's mission was "the training of personnel for the National Merchant Marine", but not only. In fact, during its existence, the CFN contributed immensely to the development of the maritime sector in Cape Verde.

For more information on the Mindelo Nautical Training Center, see pages 79-84 of Bartolomeu Varela's book, "The evolution of public higher education in Cape Verde: from the creation of the Secondary School Teacher Training Course to the installation of the Public University" (Edições Universidade de Cabo Verde & Bartolomeu Lopes Varela, 2013), accessible online through the link.