On August 20, 2025, Old Dominion University cut the ribbon on a milestone for Hampton Roads: the Maritime Autonomous Systems Test (MAST) facility in Norfolk, a new facility for testing and developing new marine technologies like autonomous ships.
As maritime innovation spreads around the globe, ODU and the City of Norfolk are positioning the Hampton Roads region as North America’s go-to ecosystem for autonomous vessel testing, maritime cybersecurity research, and workforce training in next-generation logistics technologies.
With access to Hampton Roads’ expansive waterways and close proximity to naval facilities and the Port of Virginia, ODU’s MAST gives researchers, startups, and industry partners a concrete edge. It’s where conceptual designs meet real-world sea conditions and evolve into testable and deployable solutions.
The new facility also supports hands-on learning for ODU students, to prepare them for state-of-the-art experiences with autonomous systems, acquiring skills that are increasingly coming into demand for the future maritime workforce.
As MAST attracts research grants, industrial partnerships, and new enterprises, its presence helps solidify Norfolk, as well as Hampton Roads, as a thriving innovation cluster that creates fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses across the blue economy spectrum.
For a region built on maritime heritage, defense logistics, and technological evolution, MAST feels like the future unfolding in real time. Students and faculty are already envisioning ocean-going drones, smart shipping corridors, and resilient coastal systems, all technologies that will be originating from the labs and test tracks of this groundbreaking facility.
The ribbon-cutting is a sign of our community recommitting to hometown-rooted innovation. The synergies evolving between university, city, entrepreneurs, and students are the same energies driving local tech ventures, veteran-led startups, and other blue-tech pioneers across Hampton Roads.
The MAST facility symbolizes a future where Virginia, and Hampton Roads specifically, are leading the transformation of global maritime systems. As autonomous vessels begin to navigate new waters, they’ll carry not just cargo, but the ingenuity, spirit, and ambition of our region.
