PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Port Canaveral’s cargo business is booming, but there is more demand than space available.
Port officials hope a major renovation underway will help the port expand its operations and accommodate larger ships.
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One of the ports cargo berths was built in 1976, and basically retired in 2014. It’s considered obsolete, but construction underway right now will allow for larger ships to dock and increase the port’s cargo capacity.
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“We have more cargo that could come here; we just don’t have the capabilities and facilities to handle it right now,” said Capt. John Murray, Canaveral Port Authority CEO.
Photos: Port Canaveral expanding to allow larger ships as cargo business booms
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Port Canaveral’s North Cargo Berth 3 Renovation Project is well underway. Federal and state grant funding is paying for the bulk of the $48 million project.
The world’s second busiest cruise port is hoping the project will increase its cargo revenue.
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“It will allow them to pull back the bulkhead that was there from the original construction that was there and widen the harbor which will allow larger ships to come in, Panama Canal type ships to come through,” said William Chivers with Rush Marine.
Since October, 160 cargo ships have moved through the port, generating $5 million in revenue.
And more berthing facilities mean more cargo calls.
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“Most of the product we move here is not containerized cargo, it’s bulk commodities, aggregates, oil, gasoline, jet fuel,” Murray said.
And the port’s cargo business is only getting more diverse.
Construction should be completed by April of next year.
See more in the video above.
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