The Hydrographic Institute was created by Decree-Law No. 43177, of 22 September 1960. As an organ of the Navy and the State Laboratory has the mission of ensuring research and technological development activities related to the sciences and techniques of the sea, with a view to their priority application in naval military operations, namely in the areas of hydrography, hydrographic cartography, navigation safety, oceanography and marine exploration. The Hydrographic Institute works under the direct dependence of the Chief of Staff of the Navy, under the supervision of the Ministry of National Defense and has administrative and financial autonomy. The competence related to the definition of its strategic guidelines, as well as the setting of objectives and monitoring of its execution, are exercised by the Minister of National Defense in coordination with the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education and with the Minister of the Sea.