Commissioner Louis E. Sola travelled to Central Florida earlier this week to understand more about Port Canaveral and how the facility serves not just passenger and cargo vessels, but the role it is playing in supporting America’s commercial space sector.

Port Canaveral President and Chief Executive Officer Captain John Murray, and the port’s Vice President of Government and Strategic Communications Diane Luensmann briefed the Commissioner on commercial and operational matters.  The two executives also explained planned initiatives that will permit the port to continue to best serve all its customers while simultaneously developing new lines of business to make Port Canaveral a multi-industry facility. They highlighted how the port’s collaboration with commercial space companies Blue Origin and SpaceX are efforts to expand business beyond a maritime focus.

Commissioner Sola was able to see firsthand the recently completed infrastructure projects that support Port Canaveral’s key, traditional businesses, as well as Blue Origin’s new facility with the landing platform vessel, Jacklyn, and SpaceX’s Starlink satellite platform.

The visit provided Commissioner Sola with important insights into the port’s strategic vision for economic growth and its plans to strengthen its position into the competitive aerospace sector, enhance port operations, and promote regional development.

Louis E. Sola is a Commissioner with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission. The thoughts and comments expressed here are his own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission.