Port Canaveral CEO John Murray Keynotes National Space Club Florida Committee in Cape Canaveral

Port Canaveral has been part of space operations since 1956, SpaceX established operations at the Port in 2015

SpaceX currently has eight vessels in its maritime fleet at Port Canaveral, and in 2024, offload and recovery operations recovered 69 boosters and 165 fairings.

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA — In remarks delivered to the National Space Club Florida Committee, Canaveral Port Authority CEO Capt. John Murray outlined the Port’s significance in Central Florida, the state economies, and the long-standing historical support of America’s space program in the Cape Canaveral area.

“Port Canaveral has been part of space operations since 1956, but since the shuttle program’s end, we now see a uniquely different space enterprise,” Murray said.

“The industry has evolved to include maritime components – support vessels and landing platforms – in at-sea recovery operations. It is exciting and challenging at the same time, but we couldn’t be prouder to support.”

The Port has been working with commercial space companies for a decade, beginning with SpaceX, which established operations at the Port in 2015.

SpaceX currently has eight vessels in its maritime fleet at Port Canaveral, and in 2024, offload and recovery operations recovered 69 boosters and 165 fairings.

The Port has modified its two mobile harbor cranes to handle the Falcon 9 booster, with SpaceX utilizing the cranes for 180 days in 2024.

Additionally, the Port has ordered a third mobile harbor crane, expected to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2025, with modifications to accommodate lifting space components.

Blue Origin has collaborated with the Port since 2018 and began leasing on-port facilities in 2022.

The company currently has two vessels in its maritime fleet. Its planned offload and recovery operations at the Port required roadway modifications and wayfinding relocation to transport the New Glenn boosters from the Canaveral Cargo Terminal to its facility at Exploration Park. Blue Origin has acquired a special-purpose crane and proprietary break-over equipment for its New Glenn booster recovery operation.

Murray noted that as other commercial space companies develop their launch capabilities, they could look to the Port to support their maritime recovery operations. As part of the long-term planning for future aerospace operations, Port Canaveral, along with federal and state government entities, participated in the Space Florida Wharf Study released in May 2024, which identified maritime options beyond the Port.

“The Port is a catalyst for success and a driver of economic prosperity, and our support for the space industry in Florida remains part of our mission. We look forward to our continued collaboration with our partners to ensure that the aerospace industry continues to play a vital role in our state,” Murray said.

The National Space Club Florida Committee convenes monthly to provide its members with education, information, and networking opportunities centered on the aerospace industry on the Space Coast.

Port Canaveral is strategically located to service all Florida markets and the Southeastern United States. In addition to world-class cruise facilities and diverse cargo operations, Port Canaveral offers more recreational opportunities than all other deep-water Florida seaports combined.

Similar Stories