Sign in

Private company

Companhia das Naus

Portuguese institution that served as an insurance company for Portuguese vessels based in Lisbon1

The Companhia das Naus (in English, Company of the Carracks) was a Portuguese institution founded in 1380 by King Ferdinand I. It functioned as a kind of insurance company, providing owners of Portuguese vessels with some security in case of accident and thereby fostering the development of the Portuguese navy. All vessels weighing more than fifty casks were compulsorily registered, paying a percentage of the profits of each chartered cargo which was added to the common funds.2 It was founded by Ferdinand I of Portugal.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1380Founded1
  • HeadquartersLisbon1

See how the biggest companies compare on our leaderboards

The Companhia das Naus (in English, Company of the Carracks) was a Portuguese institution founded in 1380 by King Ferdinand I. It functioned as a kind of insurance company, providing owners of Portuguese vessels with some security in case of accident and thereby fostering the development of the Portuguese navy.2

The story

Founded by Ferdinand I of Portugal in 1380.1

Leadership

Who has led Companhia das Naus, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Timeline

  1. 1380Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

  1. 1
  2. 2