about us

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
Courses 2000 & 3000 “Boarding Team Theoretical & Practical Issues”
From 15th to 26th of September 2025, the Resident Courses 2000 “Boarding Team Theoretical Issues” and 3000 “Boarding Team Practical Issues” were conducted in tandem at NMIOTC premises. Course “2000” provided theoretical training to Boarding Teams in order to better plan and conduct Boarding Operations. Course “3000”, which followed, focused on the associated practical training for safe and effective Boarding Operations. In total, thirty two (32) trainees from ten (10) NATO and Partner countries (Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Croatia, Denmark, Georgia, Jordan, Lithuania, Morocco, Portugal, and Ukraine) attended both courses.
9th NMIOTC Cyber Security Conference in Maritime Domain
On 25 September 2025, the 9th NMIOTC Conference on Cyber Security in the Maritime Domain successfully concluded after two days of high-level discussions at the Centre’s premises in Souda Bay, Greece. The event gathered more than 130 participants from 30 nations, including representatives of national and international organizations, the academic community, and the maritime private sector and shipping industry. NMIOTC Commandant welcomed all participants and highlighted the Center’s contributions to cybersecurity training, as well as its future plans to develop a Digital Transformation concept in support of Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO). Opening remarks were delivered by Commodore Dimitrios Athanasiou GRC-N,
Course 16000 “Maritime Aspects of Joint Operations”
From 8th to 12th of September 2025, NMIOTC’s Resident Course 16000 “Maritime Aspects of Joint Operations” was conducted at the Centre’s premises, with support from NATO MARCOM HQs, HNDGS and HNGS. The objective of the course is to familiarize Staff Officers of various professional backgrounds with maritime aspects of Joint Operations. In total, seven (7) trainees from six (6) NATO Nations (Czech Republic, France, Germany, Latvia, Poland & USA) attended the Course.