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
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
Tsakos Enhanced Educational Nautical School Visits NMIOTC
On Monday, 23 March 2026, thirty (30) 3rd Grade Students from the Chios-based Tsakos Enhanced Educational Nautical School (TEENS), led by the School Director, Mr. Michalis Xynos, visited the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC), in the context of their educational visit to Crete. The visitors were briefed about the Centre’s mission, role, educational and transformational activities, and discussed with NMIOTC Commandant about modern maritime security challenges and the Navy Officer’s career.
Call for Papers: A Decade of Cyber Defence in the Maritime Domain
The NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (#NMIOTC) is pleased to announce more details regarding its 10th Conference on Cyber Security in the Maritme Domain, scheduled for 23 & 24 September 2026 in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece. 📢 CALL FOR PAPERS: Subject matter experts are invited to submit an abstract (max 250 words) and a short CV by 15 July 2026. 👉 Registration: Open to military, law enforcement, industry, and academic professionals. 📆 Final registration deadline is 15 September 2026. 🔗 More Details & Registration: http://bit.ly/4uLTj7l Further information will be available on https://nmiotc.nato.int/nmiotc-annual-conferences/cyber-security-conference/
Ambassador Matthew Whitaker Visits NMIOTC
On Thursday, 19 March 2026, the Permanent Representative of the United States to NATO, H.E. Ambassador Matthew G. Whitaker visited the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC), in the context of his official visit to Greece. He was accompanied by Ambassador a.h. Michel Spinellis, Director- General of National Defence Policy & International Relations (GDNDPIR), Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, H.E. Ambassador Vasiliki Gounari, Permanent Representative of Greece to NATO, the U.S. Defence Attaché to Greece and Senior Defense Official at the U.S. Embassy Athens, Captain Mark Imblum USA-N, and Mr. Christopher Dostal, Deputy Political Counsellor. Ambassador Whitaker was briefed