ReBerth and Partnerships
Focus of 2015 State of the Port
|
On June 11, Port CEO John Walsh provided a local community and business audience with an annual review of Port accomplishments and plans, held this year in the Port's newest cruise facility Cruise Terminal 1. The theme of his 2015 State of the Port (SOTP) focused on transformation -- Experience Our reBerth. Walsh discussed the Port's investments in maintaining and increasing its thriving cruise business; new cargo and logistics capabilities and facilities to attract 2,000+ jobs into Central Florida; and re-development of The Cove into an exciting retail, dining and entertainment destination. This year's event featured speakers who highlighted a key factor in the Port's plans -- partnerships. As Walsh explained, "We have a good foundation upon which to build, but it's great partnerships that will get us there and make us known." Rick Weddle of the Orlando Economic Development Commission spoke about partnering with Orlando's Port to attract new business to Central Florida. Peter Richards of GT USA talked about his company's desire to help the Port achieve its potential and serve its community.  Janice and Bernard Caffery of Lakeland, FL have cruised out of Port Canaveral 124 times and they have 26 future trips booked. In recognition of their loyalty, Commission Chairman Jerry Allender opened the SOTP by announcing June 11, 2015 as Caffery Day and awarding them with free parking for life.
    Real Estate Vision Master Plan Initiative
|
GT USA OPEN FOR BUSINESS:
New Cargo Era Begins
|
|
|
| | Badr Jafar, Vice Chairman of Gulftainer's Executive Board |
"This is a historic occasion for our Port and our community," announced Canaveral Port Authority Commission Chairman Jerry Allender in his welcoming remarks at the Canaveral Cargo Terminal Grand Opening Ceremony on June 12, the day after this year's State of the Port. As part of an overall cargo growth initiative, Port Canaveral's first modern container-handling facility opened with fanfare, celebrating a new gateway for participation in the $6 trillion global cargo shipping industry. The impact is an anticipated contribution of more than $630 million to the local economy and 2,000 jobs. The facility is the first U.S. venture by industry leader Gulftainer, the world's largest privately owned terminal operator, recognized and trusted in seaports around the globe. Through its American subsidiary GT USA, the company is investing $100 million in the new state-of-the-art general cargo and container terminal, infrastructure, equipment and people. "We're committed to making this port an indispensible part of the global supply system," said Badr Jafar, Vice Chairman of Gulftainer's Executive Board. "With two berths, two cranes and more than 20 acres of land already fully developed, we have hit the ground running." CMA CGM, one of the world's leading shipping groups, helped GT USA and the Port celebrate the opening by bringing in the deepest vessel to enter Canaveral harbor-- the 4300-CEU-capacity CMA CGM Jamaica. Everyone at the Port that day-- more than 200 invited guests that included local, state, national and international public officials, business leaders and media--had impressive evidence of a new cargo era as the fully loaded container ship docked at a Canaveral berth. "Today we celebrate a new beginning," said Port CEO John Walsh.
|
|
GT USA - Port Canaveral Global Partnership Takes Center Stage at Summit
|
|
| |
Peter Richards, Managing Director
of Gulftainer Group Worldwide
|
Based upon GT USA's historic agreement to invest in and operate a container terminal at Port Canaveral, the company was invited to be a special guest at the 2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit held in March.
SelectUSA is a federal initiative to showcase the United States as the world's premier business location and encourage foreign investment that can create American jobs and stimulate our economy. President Obama was the keynote speaker for this second Summit that attracted more than 2600 global investors, U.S. economic development agencies and high-ranking government officials.
The Canaveral Port Authority and Gulftainer partnership was used as an example of foreign investment in the United States. Government officials and global investors were eager to meet with Gulftainer staff to learn more.
Peter Richards, Managing Director of Gulftainer Group Worldwide, said, "Port Canaveral's container terminal has garnered a lot of international interest. It is an example to the rest of the world."
When fully operational, the new terminal is expected to contribute $630 million and nearly 2,000 direct and indirect jobs to the local economy.
|
|
TripAdvisor Recognizes Exploration Tower with 2015 Certificate of Excellence
|
Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral has earned the 2015 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor. This achievement comes as a direct result of the consistently great reviews from TripAdvisor travelers and guests. The online travel website allows users to rate and provide feedback about travel-related destinations, such as restaurants, retail stores, theme parks, attractions, and other recreation/leisure-related activities. Each year, the website calculates the results and awards the businesses with consistently high ratings. Of the 29 rankings in Cape Canaveral, Exploration Tower is listed as #4.
|
|
Port Canaveral Ranks #1
in Inlet Sand Management Funding
|
Port Canaveral, competing with many other Florida inlets, consistently ranks at or near the top in the state's Beach Management Funding Assistance list, largely due to the proactive and successful history of its Inlet Sand Management program. This program, recently updated to incorporate knowledge gained and expand its scope farther south, earned the highest ranking in the state again for FY 2015-16. Inlets alter the natural drift of sand. During its first 40 years, the Canaveral inlet created erosion on beaches to its south. However, Florida's first deepwater Inlet Management Plan, initiated by the Canaveral Port Authority in 1992, along with large-scale beach restoration sponsored by Brevard County, have restored these beaches to pre-inlet widths. The program is recognized and emulated globally. Healthy beaches provide storm protection for beachside homes and businesses, habitat for local species, recreation and important tourism revenue. It's estimated every state dollar spent protecting beaches prevents the loss of $8 in state taxes from recreation and tourism (Florida Atlantic University, 2003). |
|
Titusville Middle School Recognizes Board for Mentorship Program & Career Day
|
On May 26, the Port Authority hosted a Career Day for students from Jackson Middle School in Titusville, FL who participate in J.U.M.P. - Jackson's Ultimate Mentoring Program. The 23 students who attended, along with adult mentors and school administrators, toured the Port and learned about career opportunities with the Port, its support agencies and tenants. The day included visits to Wild Oceans Seafood; Parker Brothers Concepts; a pilot boat tour, as well as a lunch-and-learn in Jetty Park with Port Staff and representatives of a variety of professions and groups. They introduced the students to a wide range of potential careers and some of the training and skills needed to enter them. Commission Chairman Jerry Allender and CEO John Walsh addressed the students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and never give up.
The six-year-old J.U.M.P. program was created to provide students with the one-on-one positive attention of an adult mentor. This year, six Port staff members and a Port contractor volunteered their time to go to the middle school once a week to meet with mentees.
"The Port has been amazing," said Jackson Principal Annetha Jones, who presented Commissioners in June with the Brevard Schools Business Partner of the Year Award. "The support from the Port has helped us have our best year ever with this program."
|
Carnival Magic Coming to Port Canaveral Earlier in 2016
|
Port Canaveral will become homeport to the Carnival Magic in April 2016 instead of December 2016, joining the Carnival Valor and Carnival Sunshine in sailing from Central Florida. Carnival Magic will take over Carnival Valor's current seven-day day Port Canaveral cruise program starting April 23, 2016. Carnival Valor will offer a new series of five- and eight-day departures from Port Canaveral beginning June 4, 2016 instead of October 2016 as previously announced. "Port Canaveral continues to provide our cruise guests and travel agent partners with customer service and quality facilities for embarking on a Fun Ship vacation experience," said Christine Duffy, Carnival's president. "We applaud Carnival's decision to move up the arrival of Carnival Magic to join Carnival Valor and Carnival Sunshine so their passengers who sail from Orlando's Port will have more options," said Port Canaveral CEO John E. Walsh. Carnival Magic will offer weeklong western Caribbean cruises while Carnival Valor and Carnival Sunshine will sail a variety of five- and eight-day eastern, western and southern Caribbean itineraries. Carnival Valor will undergo extensive renovations to add a variety of Fun Ship 2.0 innovations. Carnival Victory will homeport at Port Canaveral in February 2016 and sail three- and four-day Bahamas cruises. |
|
|
Port Video Wins Prestigious Telly Award
|
 |
 The 36th Annual Telly Awards has recognized Canaveral Port Authority Communications Department with a Silver & Bronze for its "We are Port Canaveral" corporate video that debuted during the 2014 State of the Port annual business community briefing. The recognition is a high honor and first-time recognition for the Port Authority. The Telly competition involved nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous other countries. NG Production Films of Orlando produced the dynamic, but engaging docu-style, 'directors cut' movie with interviews involving Port staff and community leaders serving as the actors, directors and producers. The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world. Less than 10% of entries are chosen as winners of the Silver Telly, the highest honor. Approximately 25% of entries are chosen as winners of the Bronze Telly. |
|
2015 Reverse Trade Show
Set for August at Port Canaveral
|
Canaveral Port Authority will host its annual Reverse Trade Show from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, at Cruise Terminal 1 at Port Canaveral. The community will have the opportunity to introduce your business, face-to-face, at no cost, to local procurement professionals from Brevard County agencies and Port Canaveral staff. A partial list of past participants include: Brevard County Government; Brevard Sheriff's Department; Canaveral Fire Rescue; City of Cape Canaveral; City of Titusville; City of Melbourne; and Brevard School Board.
Informational sessions will be offered on general procurement, vendor insurance requirements, and engineering and construction. For more information, contact the Canaveral Port Authority Purchasing Department.
|
|
|
Join our new online community engagement forum - submit, follow, give input, vote on ideas and participate in discussions that interest you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2015 Canaveral Port Authority. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
