Florida objects to Port Canaveral's new cruise terminal location

A cruise terminal there could jeopardize growth of the space program, Florida Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue and Florida Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly wrote in a letter to Canaveral Port Authority commissioners.

'Recognizing the positive economic impact of the aerospace sector on Florida’s economy, FDOT invested over $13 million in improvements to NCB8 to support cargo operations. Now, Port Canaveral has decided to unilaterally repurpose those state-sponsored improvements for alternative purposes — an approach that misaligns with our state’s economic strategy, and will push high-technology, high-growth companies away from the port and potentially out of state,' the letter said.

Port Canaveral had been planning a new multi-user cruise facility on the south side of the port at the current Bluepoints Marina. In early May, the port announced plans to fast-track a terminal at the North 8 Berth instead, with a multi-story parking garage for up to 3,000 vehicles and roadway improvements in and out of the new facility, including turning lanes and a 'flyover' ramp directly connecting the site with State Road 401.

In their letter, the Florida officials said 'these profound changes will impact the movement of people and goods on SR 401, and we are unclear what outcomes the corresponding permitting and traffic would return.'

Threat to withdraw funding

Perdue and Kelly warned that unless the cruise plans are immediately rescinded, FDOT would repurpose planned Canaveral investments for other ports, while Florida Commerce would cease funding or support for funding. And three recent applications to the Florida Seaport Tourism Economic Development Council for cruise projects would not be certified.

'Florida’s cruise tourism and commercial space launch sectors are both vitally important,' the letter said. 'Port Canaveral bears the responsibility of housing and supporting both. We will help you do both. But in this case, the port has announced its intention to support one sector to the direct detriment of the other. That decision must, therefore, be reversed.'

Port seeks a resolution

In a statement, Port Canaveral spokesman Steve Linden said the board understands the concerns that were raised and will work on a resolution.

'The port has been an integral part of the commercial space industry’s growth and operations in our state, and our commitment to the enterprise remains strong. We look forward to working in partnership with Secretary Perdue and Secretary Kelly towards a positive resolution,' the statement said.

In past comments Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray has stressed balancing the needs of all port users — cruise, cargo, space, commercial fisherman and recreational boaters — is core to the port's mission and important for mutual success.

Cruise negotiations under way

Plans for the new cruise facilities have been advancing, with Canaveral recently selecting BEA Architects as the designer and contract negotiations under way with costs to be presented for approval at the Aug. 21 commission meeting.

The aim was to have the new site operational by late 2025 to handle Norwegian Joy, and the plan was to eventually relocate MSC Cruises there.

A Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings told Seatrade Cruise News the company has no comment at this time. 

Perdue and Kelly said there were other alternatives for cruise berthing but not for the space business.

The location of the new cruise terminal is in green at the top of the map, while new cargo berths are indicated at bottom right

Cargo berth expansion

At the same time the port has been working on new cruise capacity to meet growing demand, it has expanded cargo facilities. 

The side-by-side North Cargo Berths 3 and 4 — offline since 2014 — are being upgraded to take modern ships. The 880-foot NCB3 was completed in June 2023, and the 981-foot NCB4 is scheduled to be ready this fall.

Those and other berths are available to the space business. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin frequent North Berth 6, but others are available when needed by recovery vessels.

LNG

The Florida officials' letter also said changing NCB8 into a cruise facility reneged on Port Canaveral's commitment to expanded LNG access by reallocating some of the berth's displaced cargo operations onto property previously designated for an LNG facility.

In prior interviews Murray said the space operators indicated their need for LNG was specialized, and they were exploring off-port operations.