PORT CANAVERAL EXPANDS CARGO CAPACITY

May 19, 2026 – U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (FL-8) held a press conference recently at Port Canaveral to announce the U.S. Department of Transportation’s awarding of a $20.21 million Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant to the Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) to expand capacity at two of the Port’s busiest cargo berths.

The PIDP grant will support a $37.43 million Port project to upgrade North Cargo Berths 1 and 2, which serve tanker vessels carrying refined petroleum products critical to supplying Central Florida region’s transportation system.

The project will modernize the aging bulkheads to extend their useful life by 20 to 30 years. Currently in the design and engineering stage, construction is estimated to begin in early 2027 with substantial completion approximately 16 months later. Once completed, the improvements will strengthen the Port’s role as a leading port of entry for bulk cargo, particularly fuel supplies serving markets across Florida and into the southeastern United States.

Fifty-four percent of the total project cost will be funded by the PIDP grant, with the Canaveral Port Authority and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) confirming committed and planned amounts of $4.36 million, or 12 percent, and $12.86 million, or 34 percent in local match of the total cost, respectively.

The renovations to North Cargo Berths 1 and 2 are part of the Port’s nearly $1 billion in capital improvements across all aspects of its operations over the next five years. Projects are wide-ranging and include harbor and berth box deepening to accommodate larger vessels, landside infrastructure improvements, renovation of seawalls and berthing facilities, expansions to cruise and cargo terminals, and roadway upgrades.

Source: Port Canaveral Press Release