On June 5th, 2025, Larnaca became a testing ground for the future of maritime training. Hosted by Alliance4XR, the workshop “Application of XR Environment in the Maritime Context” brought together professionals, educators, and students to dive into the real-world potential of Extended Reality (XR) technologies in the maritime sector.

Rather than focusing on abstract concepts, the event delivered a hands-on experience — showing how immersive tools can transform traditional learning environments, enhance operational safety, and drive innovation across the maritime industry.

Throughout the day, attendees engaged with interactive XR example designed specifically for maritime use cases — from shipboard emergency response to engine maintenance and green port operations.

The workshop also highlighted the key benefits of using XR-based scenarios in maritime contexts. Participants discussed how immersive simulations can significantly enhance safety training, improve decision-making under pressure, and provide cost-effective, risk-free environments for practicing complex operations — all while making learning more engaging and accessible for a wider range of users.

Other of the key themes was ethics in XR. As immersive technologies become more embedded in education and industry, we believe it’s crucial to address issues such as data privacy, inclusion, and the responsible use of simulation in professional training.

This workshop forms part of our broader mission within Alliance4XR: to empower higher education institutions and vocational training centres to embrace XR as a tool for pedagogical innovation.

Our next events will further explore how XR can enrich not only maritime fields, but a wide range of engineering and technical disciplines.