NEWS: Port Canaveral Begins Multi-Million Dollar Expansion

By Lisa Gilmore Leave a Comment

The whole cruise industry has experienced some ups and downs while navigating the pandemic and post-pandemic vacation atmosphere and changing protocols.

©Disney

Along with supply chain challenges and labor shortages, cruises have been under the additional pressure of navigating the complications of various international health and safety protocols, vaccination requirements, and capacity limits. But now, after a few years of sailing these turbulent waters, there are some silver linings!

Click Orlando released that Port Canaveral has officially begun construction on expanding this cruise port.

©Port Canaveral

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday, March 24th, 2022, on this $48 million expansion into the North Cargo Berth complex. And this expansion will provide more capacity to host ships which will particularly impact the cargo and shipping industry and may help alleviate some of the supply chain challenges that have impacted business worldwide.

©Port Canaveral

Florida State Senator, Tom Wright, said: “The improvements of the cargo berths will allow the port to address their growing needs, continue to help bring in additional funding for our state.” This project should be completed in a year and should allow the port to address the growing needs and provide some relief to some of the supply chain strains.

Disney Cruise Line Terminal

Port Canaveral is more recognized for its role in the cruise industry as the second-busiest American cruise port, and this additional capacity can benefit not just the shipping and cargo industry as the cruise industry gears up for a busy 2022 season. Even though the cruise industry is still recovering from the losses seen in 2020 and 2021, Port Canaveral CEO John Murray forecasted that 2022 is on track to beat the record for 2019, which saw $106 million in total revenue.

©Disney

If you’re setting sail with a cruise line soon, remember to check their current health and safety requirements before your trip. And keep checking back with DFB as we learn more about changes in the cruise industry and about the future of Disney Cruise Line.