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The NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) is the only NATO Education & Training Facility (NETF) dedicated to the maritime domain. Officially established in 2008, is quality-assurance unconditionally accredited by Allied Command Transformation. Funded by Greece and multinationally manned, the Centre is located at the north-west of Crete, at the Akrotiri peninsula, in the northern area of Souda Bay, near the city of Chania, inside Hellenic Navy’s Souda Naval Base.
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NMIOTC Program of Work
vision of the commandant
further develop NMIOTC as NATO’s primary Education and Training hub for the maritime dimension of projecting stability

My vision is to further develop the concept of NMIOTC as a hub for the maritime dimension of projecting stability. To this end, we are undertaking a series of mid and long-term initiatives, such as establishing new individual and collective training products.
latest news
NMIOTC Course 12000
From 13th to 17th of October 2025, the NMIOTC Course 12000 “C-IED in Maritime Interdiction Operations” was conducted at the Centre’s premises. This “NATO Approved” Course fills an operational gap in capability and contributes to operations conducted by Boarding Teams when searching and exploiting evidence, which are fundamental to the C-IED (Counter-Improvised Explosive Device) process. The aim was to train international Boarding Team personnel in NATO Tactics, Technics and Procedures (TTPs) to undertake expedient weapons intelligence tasks on board vessels and other Maritime infrastructure in support of C-IED operations. In total, eighteen (18) trainees from eight (8) countries (Azerbaijan, Bulgaria,
Training Needs Analysis (TNA) Working Group
A Training Needs Analysis (TNA) Working Group took place from 8 to 10 Oct 2025 at the NMIOTC premises. Six(6) SMEs (ESP, GRC, POL, PRT, ROU and the USA), from the C-IED Centre of Excellence, the NMIOTC and the US Federal Bureau of Invistigation (FBI) reviewed the training material of the NATO Approved Course 23000 – Weapons Intelligence Team Supplement to the Maritime Environment, as well as the diving part of it, the Underwater Post Blast Exploitation (UPX) Course. The purpose of these Courses is to prepare deploying NATO Forces to gather intelligence on IEDs and weapons in the maritime
South Africa Workshop
From 30 September to 01 October 2025, representatives of the NMIOTC participated in a workshop hosted by Stellenbosch University, South Africa, focusing on the NMIOTC Course 32000 “Maritime Interdiction Operations in Maritime Oil and Gas Assets”. This event provided an excellent opportunity for the exchange of expertise and best practices related to maritime security and the protection of critical energy infrastructure. Discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere of cooperation, further strengthening the relationship between NMIOTC and academic and operational partners in the region.