Canaveral Port Authority CEO Capt. John Murray Delivers Annual ‘State of the Port’ Address

Port’s Vital Role as Economic Engine, Link to Global Commerce Highlighted

 An audience of 250 business and community leaders attended Port Canaveral’s Annual State of the Port presentation at Cruise Terminal 10
(Credit: Canaveral Port Authority)

Port Canaveral – November 6, 2025 – Canaveral Port Authority CEO Capt. John Murray delivered his annual State of the Port address, providing a comprehensive review of the Port’s strong 2025 performance with an outlook for continued business growth in the new fiscal year. Total earned revenues in Fiscal Year 2025, which ended September 30, were $218 million with the Port’s cruise business accounting for $182 million, cargo $25 million, and non-ship operations at $11 million.

"Our business growth and solid financial performance is building value that will pay dividends for years to come,” Murray said. “We’re a leader in our industry, but our continued success rests on the foundation of strategic planning, continuous improvement, and sound investments in our infrastructure.” 

Port Canaveral CEO Captain John Murray presented an overview of the Port’s FY2025 results and a look toward the future at the annual State of the Port presentation.
(Credit: Canaveral Port Authority)

Addressing an audience of nearly 250 government, business and community representatives at Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminal 10, Murray detailed how all segments of operations – cruise, cargo, recreation, real estate, commercial fishing and aerospace – contributed to the Port’s performance.

On the cruise side, the Port hosted 1,038 ship calls with a record 8.6 multi-day passenger movements – a 13 percent increase over the previous year. Murray noted that in April 2025, the Port reached a historic milestone of 100 million passenger movements since the Scandinavian Sea began sailing in 1982 from its Port Canaveral home.

Port Canaveral’s annual State of the Port presentation included an overview of the Port’s FY2025 results as well as a look at future projects.
(Credit: Canaveral Port Authority)

Cargo business remained strong throughout the fiscal year ending with a total of 6.1 tons, including three million tons of petroleum products, two million tons of aggregates, and 850,000 tons of forest products. A new mobile harbor crane arrived in August with lift capabilities that complement the two mobile harbor cranes currently deployed effectively tripling the Port’s cargo handling capacity.

A Vital Economic Engine

The Port continues to be an economic powerhouse in the Central Florida region with 27 percent of cruise passengers overnighting in a local hotel which equates to 2.3 million total Brevard County room nights annually and a 200-percent increase in new hotel construction in nearby City of Cape Canaveral alone over the past decade.

"We have an increasing responsibility to drive economic value in our region. Our growth is boosting the local economy with increased business investments in Port District communities that are creating new jobs and a growing tax base of revenues for local municipalities,” Murray stated.

State of the Port attendees view a video highlighting Port Canaveral employees, part of the event’s theme of “Growth by Design, Progress by People”
(Credit: Canaveral Port Authority)

Investing in the Future

Looking forward, the Port is expecting another robust year with $237.4 million total projected revenues for FY ’26 with cruise business growing to 18 homeported ships generating nine million multi-day passenger movements across 1,083 ship calls.

A host of planned renovation and improvement projects amounting to $255 million capital improvement projects scheduled in the new fiscal year alone to meet the needs of the Port’s growing number of customers. The Port’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan now stands at $912 million, up from just over $500 million less than two years ago.

Projects include creating 4,500 additional parking spaces in new terminal garages and surface lots and expanding terminal facilities including nearly doubling the size of the Port’s Cruise Terminal 5 and Cruise Terminal 10 to accommodate the arrival of new home-porting vessels — some of the world’s largest — in 2027. The completion of North Cargo Berth 4 renovations and the clearing of adjacent upland parcels will open access to cargo development opportunities. Planned improvements to public boating, camping and beach facilities will enhance the Port’s recreational facilities that attract 400,000 visitors a year.

“The Port has been a part of the local community for more than 70 years and has contributed significantly to the growth of the region,” Murray stated. “It takes a total team effort to fulfill our mission day in and out, and one that is only possible thanks to the commitment of our employees, partners and the continued support of our Port community.”

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 Watch the 2025 State of the Port presentation HERE

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