Jerry Allender News

The Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) has joined the Green Marine environmental certification program, a North American initiative committed to advancing environmental excellence in maritime transportation. This marks a major milestone as the Canaveral Port Authority is the 100th participant to join Green Marine. Commission Chairman Jerry Allender says protecting the environment is one of the port’s most important duties. “It’s our responsibility to maintain – and when necessary restore – the critical balance of physical conditions that allows Port Canaveral to fulfill its many functions.

Canaveral Port Authority Commissioners today unanimously selected shipping line executive Capt. John W. Murray as the next chief executive officer of Port Canaveral. Murray currently is the President and CEO of Hapag-Lloyd USA, LLC, a global liner shipping company in Tampa that operates about 150 modern container ships and transports more than five million containers per year. “We believe our port and our community will be well served having Capt. Murray at the helm,” said Commission Chairman Jerry Allender. Allender said he hopes to have a negotiated contract with Murray on this month’s Commission meeting agenda scheduled for January 20. Outgoing CEO John E. Walsh’s last day is January 21. If necessary, Port Canaveral CFO Rodger Rees will step into the CEO role in the interim.

Sharjah-based ports operator Gulftainer has opened Canaveral Cargo Terminal at Port Canaveral in Florida in the US for business. Gulftainer, a subsidiary of UAE-based conglomerate Crescent Enterprises, said the opening comes one year after Canaveral Port Authority signed a 35-year agreement with GT USA, the US arm of Gulftainer, to operate and further develop the container and multipurpose cargo terminal. The opening comes one year after Canaveral Port Authority signed a 35-year agreement with GT USA, the US arm of UAE-based global ports and logistics company Gulftainer, to operate and further develop the container and multipurpose cargo terminal.

Thomas "Tom" Weinberg will serve a second consecutive term as Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board, accepting the job after an unanimous vote during the January Commission meeting. A fourth-generation Brevard County, Florida resident elected from District 5, Weinberg begin his Board tenure in January 2011. He is a licensed realtor who has held several local, state and federal positions, including Chief of Staff for former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez and Deputy County Administrator for Orange County, Florida government.

Canaveral Port Authority formally welcomed the 'Enchantment of the Seas' to its new homeport in Florida. The Port Authoritiy hosted about 100 community leaders aboard Royal Caribbean cruise ship for the traditional 'Plaque and Key Ceremony'. Enchantment of the Seas will sail year-round from the port on three- and four-day Bahamas voyages. In the picture from left: Commissioners John H. Evans and Jerry Allender; Enchantment of the Seas Capt. Gus Andersson; and Commissioners Tom Weinberg; Frank Sullivan; and R. Bruce Deardoff.

Cocoa Beach resident Tom Weinberg will serve as Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners for 2013. The former Chief of Staff for former Florida Sen. Mel Martinez was elected unanimously to the position during the first meeting of the year for the Board. Also elected were Titusville attorney Jerry Allender as Vice Chairman and Cocoa citrus grower Frank Sullivan as Secretary/Treasurer. Titusville attorney John H. Evans begins his first term on the Board. Also serving will be Merritt Island auto dealership owner Bruce Deardoff, the immediate past Chairman of the Board.