Port Canaveral Secures $20M Federal Grant for Cargo Berth Upgrades

Port Canaveral will receive $20.21 million in federal funding to modernize two cargo berths that handle more than half the port's annual fuel shipments, U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos announced May 19.

The Port Infrastructure Development Program grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will support a $37.43 million project to upgrade North Cargo Berths 1 and 2. The berths service tanker vessels carrying refined petroleum products to Central Florida.

The project will replace aging bulkheads to extend their life by 20 to 30 years and expand capacity for bulk cargo. Transportation fuels account for more than 50 percent of the port's annual cargo tonnage.

The Canaveral Port Authority will contribute $4.36 million. The Florida Department of Transportation committed $12.86 million. The federal grant covers the remaining 54 percent of costs.

Design and engineering work is underway. Construction begins in early 2027 and will take approximately 16 months.

The berth renovations are part of nearly $1 billion in capital improvements planned at Port Canaveral over the next five years, including harbor deepening, seawall renovations, cruise and cargo terminal expansions, and roadway upgrades.