by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Fri August 23, 2024
Port Canaveral has reversed its plans to build a new cruise terminal at what is Floridas second-largest cruise port and one of the busiest in the world, citing pressure from the state government, which said the new terminal would hamper the growth of the space industry.?
The Port Canaveral Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 on Wednesday, August 21 to halt the redesign of North Cargo Berth 8, as reported by local news station FOX35 Orlando. The terminal was expected to open in 2026.
The pushback has been present since early August, when Floridas Department of Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly and the states Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue co-wrote a letter to the port about how the new terminal could lead to the space industrys lack of growth, and how, should the new terminal be built, the port could lose future investment opportunities.?
"Floridas cruise tourism and commercial space launch sectors are both vitally important," Kelly and Perdue wrote. "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 Canaveral has an interesting balance to uphold: its not simply a cruise, cargo and commercial fishing port. Its also a spaceport.?
But the biggest issue? Lack of space.?
The space industrys continual growth will double the area it currently has at the port by 2033, according to the states aerospace agency, Space Florida.?
"Its tough to keep everybody happy all the time, but we do our best," explained Canaveral Port Authority CEO John Murray. "Miamis full. Everglades is full. If were full, we dont want large brand-new assets moving over to Texas, California, or New York. We want to keep that business here in Florida."
The state governmental officials and the port authorities will work together to find new solutions to the space problem at Port Canaveral.?
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