Venezuela

About the Flag

Venezuela is located in northern South America bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean between Colombia and Guyana. It is a member of the OAS, OPEC, CARICOM, the UN, and the IMO. Formerly a Spanish colony and briefly a German colony, in 1811 the country gained independence under the leadership of Simón Bolívar. The capital is Caracas. The legal system is based on the Napoleonic Code. The President is the Chief of State and Head of Government, and there is a bicameral Congress of the Republic. Spanish is the official language but there are many native dialects. Despite efforts to broaden the base of the economy, petroleum plays a dominant role. Major trading partners include the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan. The unit of currency is the bolivar.

Vessel registration in Venezuela is governed by the rules enacted in the Organic Law on Aquatic Spaces (Ley Orgánica de los Espacios Acuáticos) published in the Official Gazette Extraordinary No. 5,890 dated 31st July 2008 as well as the General Law of Merchant Marine and Related Activities (Decreto con Fuerza de Ley General de Marinas y Actividades Conexas) published in Official Gazette No. 37,570 dated 14th November 2002.

Resulting from this legislation, the Venezuelan Shipping Registry, or "RENAVE" office, is located within the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces ascribed to Ministry of the Popular Power for Aquatic and Air Transportation, with branches in the different port captaincies throughout the
country.

This listing has been prepared with the kind assistance of José Sabatino of Sabatino Pizzolante Maritime and Commercial Attorneys | Centro Comercial Inversiones Pareca, Piso 2, Ofic. 2-08 / 2-09, Av. Salom, Urb. Cumboto Sur. Puerto Cabello 2050. Estado Carabobo | Venezuela | Tel. [58] (242) 3641801 / 3641026 | Fax [58] (242) 3640998 | www.sabatinop.com.