Port Canaveral, which providers the Orlando, Florida, space, has been awarded the Inexperienced Marine re-certification for the eighth consecutive 12 months. The certification was offered on the latest GreenTech2024 environmental convention in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The certification achievement locations Port Canaveral among the many elite group of 32 U.S. seaports to have earned this distinction. It’s also one among solely three in Florida, together with Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and Port of Pensacola on the Panhandle, bestowed with the environmental honor.
(Photograph Credit score: Canaveral Port Authority)
“Port Canaveral has lengthy held a excessive normal of environmental accountability with our dedication to long-term sustainable objectives,” stated Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.
Murray emphasised, “This Inexperienced Marine re-certification underscores the standard of our environmental program and the dedication of our crew to finest practices in planning, implementation, and administration of our efforts.”
Inexperienced Marine, which advocates for voluntary protecting measures to reinforce environmental efficiency, has a stringent certification course of. Ports are awarded after they exceed normal regulatory necessities.
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These embrace regulatory necessities for aquatic invasive species, discount of greenhouse gases and air pollution, spill prevention, stormwater and water administration, management of underwater noise, mitigation of neighborhood impacts, and promotion of environmental management.
“As soon as once more, for an eighth consecutive 12 months, the port is exceeding compliance for all relevant indicators,”stated David Bolduc, Inexperienced Marine’s president and CEO. “Port Canaveral can also be reaching the very best degree 5 for the spill prevention indicator, demonstrating environmental excellence and management.”
Contributors within the Inexperienced Marine program are evaluated by way of an annual self-assessment and a biennial third-party verification.
Environmental Stewardship Amidst Progress
Since becoming a member of the Inexperienced Marine program in 2015, the 71-year-old Port Canaveral has set a benchmark in environmental efficiency, repeatedly enhancing its practices annually. It has invested hundreds of thousands in environmental initiatives, together with $120,000 yearly on water high quality monitoring within the Canaveral Barge Canal and surrounding waterways.
Amongst its initiatives, Port Canaveral has established synthetic reef habitats to reinforce marine biodiversity and seaside nourishment initiatives to fight coastal erosion.
Moreover, rigorous water high quality monitoring packages make sure the ecological well being of the encompassing waters. The port additionally prioritized wildlife safety with particular measures designed to safeguard endangered species, together with proactive efforts throughout sea turtle season.
Port Canaveral’s strategy to waste administration features a complete hazardous supplies and spill prevention plan that surpasses federal, state, and native necessities. The plan is included into detailed preventative methods, obligatory coordination with regulatory our bodies, and common worker coaching.
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Seeing an annual inflow of 19 homeporting ships with over 900 calls and almost 7 million cruise passengers to the port in 2024, Port Canaveral’s infrastructure additionally consists of a complicated wastewater administration system that directs all port wastewater to the Metropolis of Cocoa Seaside’s remedy services. Investments in stormwater remedy additionally make sure that water is cleaned of vitamins earlier than being launched into Canaveral Harbor.
Since welcoming its first homeported cruise ship in 1982, the SS Scandinavian Sea, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Worldwide have known as Port Canaveral residence, since 1990, 1998, and 2000, respectively.
MSC Cruises joined the port in 2021 with the arrival of MSC Divina and can increase its presence in 2025 when MSC Grandiosa begins to supply Port Canaveral cruises. Norwegian Cruise Line additionally arrived final 12 months with Norwegian Prima.
To accommodate its progress, Port Canaveral is constructing a seventh multi-ship cruise terminal at its North 8 berth. Anticipated to open in summer season 2026, the terminal will characteristic parking for as much as 3,000 automobiles, roadway enhancements, and a berth extension to 1,344 ft.
