The Technical University of the Atlantic was created by the Government of Cape Verde, through Decree-Law No. 53/2019, published in the Official Gazette on December 5, 2019, to enhance marine studies and their contribution to the country's development process, within the scope of investment in excellent education and qualified professionals, in research, and in the commitment to internationalization lines of the maritime economy to increase competitiveness within the scope of the Special Economic Zone of the Maritime Economy of the island of São Vicente (ZEEEM-SV) and consequently of the country.

The UTA, as it is better known, began operating on January 1, 2020, and will operate under an installation regime for five years, that is, until 2025.

The Technical University of the Atlantic is part of the Maritime Campus, which is the training and research arm of the ZEEEM-SV and is an integrated structure of technical-professional training, higher education and public or private research institutions. The Maritime Institute (IMar) and the Maritime School (EMAR) are also part of the Maritime Campus.