diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 2df93651..34202339 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-FROM golang:1.21-alpine AS go-builder
+FROM golang:1.21-alpine3.18 AS go-builder
 
 RUN apk add --no-cache ca-certificates build-base git
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ RUN cd demo/ && LEDGER_ENABLED=false BUILD_TAGS=muslc LINK_STATICALLY=true make
   && (file /code/demo/build/meshd | grep "statically linked")
 
 # --------------------------------------------------------
-FROM alpine:3.16
+FROM alpine:3.18
 
 COPY --from=go-builder /code/demo/build/meshd /usr/bin/meshd
 
diff --git a/demo/Makefile b/demo/Makefile
index aece59aa..082596a4 100644
--- a/demo/Makefile
+++ b/demo/Makefile
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ ifeq ($(OS),Windows_NT)
 	$(error mesh demo server not supported)
 	exit 1
 else
-	go build -mod=readonly $(BUILD_FLAGS) -o $(BUILD_DIR)/$(APPNAME) ./cmd/meshd
+	CGO_ENABLED=0 go build -mod=readonly $(BUILD_FLAGS) -o $(BUILD_DIR)/$(APPNAME) ./cmd/meshd
 endif
 
 build-vendored:
diff --git a/tests/starship/configs/local.yaml b/tests/starship/configs/local.yaml
index de89d609..22b7c872 100644
--- a/tests/starship/configs/local.yaml
+++ b/tests/starship/configs/local.yaml
@@ -86,3 +86,13 @@ explorer:
   enabled: true
   ports:
     rest: 8080
+
+timeouts:
+  time_iota_ms: 1000
+  timeout_propose: 3000ms
+  timeout_propose_delta: 500ms
+  timeout_prevote: 1000ms
+  timeout_prevote_delta: 500ms
+  timeout_precommit: 1000ms
+  timeout_precommit_delta: 500ms
+  timeout_commit: 5000ms
diff --git a/tests/starship/mvp_test.go b/tests/starship/mvp_test.go
index 74345d43..1cbdcc54 100644
--- a/tests/starship/mvp_test.go
+++ b/tests/starship/mvp_test.go
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ func Test2WayContract(t *testing.T) {
 			return false
 		},
 		120*time.Second,
-		time.Second,
+		5*time.Second,
 		"list remote validators failed: %v",
 		qRsp,
 	)
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func Test2WayContract(t *testing.T) {
 			return false
 		},
 		120*time.Second,
-		time.Second,
+		5*time.Second,
 		"list remote validators failed: %v",
 		qRsp,
 	)
diff --git a/tests/starship/setup/client.go b/tests/starship/setup/client.go
index dd3d3446..04814254 100644
--- a/tests/starship/setup/client.go
+++ b/tests/starship/setup/client.go
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ func (c *Client) WaitForTx(t *testing.T, txHex string) {
 			return false
 		},
 		300*time.Second,
-		time.Second,
+		5*time.Second,
 		"waited for too long, still txn not successful",
 	)
 	require.NotNil(t, tx)
diff --git a/tests/starship/setup/main.go b/tests/starship/setup/main.go
index 2782af93..3d356a08 100644
--- a/tests/starship/setup/main.go
+++ b/tests/starship/setup/main.go
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func MeshSecurity(provider, consumer, configFile, wasmContractPath string, wasmC
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
-	time.Sleep(5 * time.Second)
+	time.Sleep(10 * time.Second)
 
 	// get ibc denom from account balance
 	coins, err := GetBalance(providerClient, providerClient.Address)