Port Canaveral Soars to Record Year
For the first time in its history, more than 3 million multi-day cruise passengers sailed from Port Canaveral, contributing $40 million in cruise revenue during the fiscal year ending September 30, also a record as newer and larger cruise ships and 66 additional ship calls helped boost passenger totals. Cruise traffic rose 16.08 per percent with 3,100,199 passengers. Overall, Port Canaveral’s total revenues surged dramatically to nearly $57.8 million, eclipsing the previous Port record of $51.2 in 2006 by 13 percent.
Canaveral Moves Forward with Welcome Center & Cove Development
In an unanimous vote during its August Board meeting, the Canaveral Port Authority approved construction of a new Welcome Center and development of an entertainment district on the south-side of Port Canaveral. The $16.6 million Canaveral Cove project is scheduled for completion in June 2013. GWWO, Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland, will design the 15,000-square foot Welcome Center. It will include exhibit areas, movie theater/auditorium, and offices. “We envision the Welcome Center and infrastructure improvements as a catalyst for private development on other property at the Port…
Port Canaveral Activity Generates $649m in Wages
Business activity at Port Canaveral in 2009 generated 13,093 jobs, $648.8m in wages, and $1.1b in revenue, according to the newly released economic impact analysis of cruise, cargo, real estate and marina activity during 2009. The Canaveral Port Authority commissioned leading industry consulting firm Martin Associates of Lancaster, Pa. to conduct the economic impact study. The figures last were updated in 2006. The analysis, which took place during the first quarter of 2010, primarily was based on 233 interviews with firms providing services in the four business sectors and 900 individual surveys of cruise ship passengers and crew. The amount of state and local taxes generated from the activities was $48m. By 2012, Port activity is expected to generate 16,367 jobs.
Canaveral Creates Seaport Police Department
Joseph Hellebrand, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, will serve as chief of the newly created Port Canaveral Police Department. The Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners established the department late last year as culmination of a four-year initiative to enhance public safety at the world’s second busiest cruise port and Central Florida’s outlet to the sea. “The formation of the Police Department is simply the next step in the evolution of public safety at Port Canaveral in the aftermath of 9/11 and the increased demands of both federal and state laws and regulations,” said Port CEO Stan Payne. Hillebrand, who rose through the ranks from rookie officer to deputy chief with Melbourne, Florida Police Department, will develop the Port’s new department during the next few months.
Port Canaveral Inner Harbor Re-opens; Ship Channel Remains Closed
Small vessels were permitted through the Canaveral Lock and Barge Canal to re-enter Port Canaveral. However, the channel remains closed to ship traffic pending completion of harbor surveys and repositioning of navigational aids. Assessments show several buoys out of alignment and some additional shoaling at the entrance to the channel. Dredge operations are expected to resume Tuesday morning, subject to wind and wave conditions. The project to restore the channel depth nearly was complete before Hurricane Jeanne caused additional shoaling. "These certainly have been trying times for all of us, but as in the aftermath of Frances," says Stan Payne, Chief Executive Officer of the Canaveral Port Authority. "The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.
Expansion Brings 3 NCL Ships into Port Canaveral
Beginning next year, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit will join Norwegian Dawn in weekly stops at Port Canaveral. In addition, the Norwegian Majesty will make a call in Port Canaveral next year, bringing the total number of port calls for Norwegian Cruise Line to 45 in the next two years. “Port Canaveral offers a wide variety of options to our guests. The shore excursion program we’ve introduced with Norwegian Dawn has been very successful and we’re looking forward to offering those options and more to our passengers onboard Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Majesty next year,” says Andy Stuart, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Passenger Services for Norwegian Cruise Line.
