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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To reinforce the Centre’s stature as a premier Education and Training provider through continuous review and update of our course portfolio, ensuring our programs remain aligned with the operational demands of the “fight tonight” while shaping the readiness required for the “fight tomorrow”, in full support of maritime forces and Allied Command Transformation’s efforts.
latest news
Tailored Training delivered to ESPS SANTA MARIA Boarding Team
On 2 October 2026 NMIOTC delivered one-day Tailored Training to a 17-member Boarding Team from the Spanish Navy Frigate ESPS SANTA MARIA, aiming at improving their Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) capacity in Maritime Interdiction Operations as well as their skills in Close Quarter Combat.
Course 5000 “Maritime Operational Terminology Course”
From 21 September to 2 October 2026, the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre conducted the 2026 iteration of its resident Course 5000 “Maritime Operational Terminology Course” (MOTC), hosting eight (8) participants representing Algeria, Georgia, Jordan, Mauritania and Ukraine. The course was delivered by NMIOTC Instructors in cooperation with augmenters from the NATO Allied Command Transformation, the United States Navy Reserves (USNR) and the Royal Netherlands Navy Reserves (KMR).
Courses 2000 & 3000 “Boarding Team Theoretical & Practical Issues”
From 9 to 20 February 2026, the NMIOTC delivered its Resident Courses 2000 “Boarding Team Theoretical Issues” and 3000 “Boarding Team Practical Issues” in tandem, hosting twenty eight (28) participants representing Bahrain, Belgium, Croatia, Georgia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lithuania, Portugal and Ukraine. Course “2000” provided theoretical training to Boarding Teams in order to better plan and conduct Boarding Operations. Course “3000”, that followed, focused on the associated practical training for safe and effective Boarding Operations.