Canaveral Port Authority CEO Capt. John Murray recently presented the annual State of the Port address, summarizing Port Canaveral's 2024 performance. The port experienced revenue growth across all business sectors and anticipates a strong outlook for the upcoming fiscal year. Total revenues reached $191 million, with cruise operations contributing $156 million, cargo $23 million, and non-ship operations at $12 million.
"Port Canaveral continues to be a strategic economic driver for creating jobs, helping local businesses to grow and prosper, and bringing more guests to experience all that our Port community has to offer," stated Capt. John Murray. "We are proud of our growth and the collective success of our region."
Speaking before an audience of nearly 250 business leaders, community members, elected officials, and port partners, Capt. Murray emphasized the diversity of the port's operations—ranging from cruise and cargo to recreation, commercial fishing, military, and aerospace—which he described as unique in the maritime industry.
As the world's second busiest cruise port, Port Canaveral managed a record 7.6 million passenger movements—a 12-percent increase from the previous year—with 13 homeported ships making 911 cruise ship calls. Over 914,000 vehicles were parked at the facility during this period. The port expanded its parking facilities and improved its parking processing system to enhance convenience for guests.
"Cruise continues to be a significant segment of our business portfolio with some of the newest and largest ships in the world based at Port Canaveral," Capt. Murray added.
Cargo operations also made substantial contributions with 728 ship calls handling 6.6 million tons of essential commodities such as transportation fuels (3.6 million tons), aggregates (1.8 million tons), and lumber (732,000 tons). Notable developments included deploying a second mobile harbor crane and renovating North Cruise Berth 4.
The port maintained its commitment to environmental sustainability by earning Green Marine recertification and piloting smart pond technology through the National Stormwater Trust for automatic water level adjustments during severe weather events. Additionally, it supported projects like beach nourishment by partnering with Brevard County on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initiatives.
Looking ahead to FY 2025, Port Canaveral expects another robust year with projected revenues reaching $211 million across both cruise and cargo sectors.
The cruise sector is set for expansion with plans for 16 homeported ships facilitating an estimated 8.4 million passenger movements over approximately 1,030 ship calls along with several ship upgrades—including Royal Caribbean’s new Icon-class LNG-powered Star of the Seas—and welcoming two new cruise partners: Princess Cruises & Celebrity Cruises each debuting their vessels at this location next year.
"We are tremendously proud to be an integral part of this community for more than seven decades," noted Capt.Murray."We will continue working hard towards sound business decisions ensuring economic prosperity not only within our region but throughout Florida."