http://www.floridatoday.com/article/...25/1006/NEWS01

More than two decades ago, sleepy Port Canaveral took a big leap:


It hooked up with the cruise industry in a hugely successful move, turning the facility into the world’s second busiest cruise port and creating an economic engine that creates 22,000 jobs and pumps $1.3 billion into the region’s economy.




So it came as no surprise when Canaveral Port Authority CEO Stanley Payne recently told port commissioners in his first annual “State of the Port” address that he’s expecting port revenue to grow almost 65 percent between now and 2013, despite the recession.


Most of the money would come from continued growth in the cruise industry, which so far is weathering the economic tailspin in decent shape.


Payne’s projections are certainly subject to the hurricane-force winds battering the economy. However, they show the port’s cruise strategy continues paying off and will remain its revenue linchpin.


It also demonstrates the wisdom of Payne and commissioners signing new contracts that include:


A 15-year deal with Disney Cruise Line, which includes that company’s $22 million terminal expansion and two new 4,000-passenger ships to homeport there.



An agreement with Royal Caribbean to homeport the Freedom of the Seas here. That vessel, the largest cruise ship ever to dock at Port Canaveral, is scheduled to arrive Monday.



A five-year contract with Carnival Cruise Line — the first of its type with that company — which guarantees the port a minimum $4 million annual revenue stream for the next five years.



To accommodate the larger vessels and improve overall harbor channel maintenance, the Army Corps of Engineers announced Wednesday that $9.6 million from President Obama’s economic stimulus package will be used for dredging at the port.


Meanwhile, the port is making progress in related areas.


Working closely with Space Coast tourism officials, the number of cruise ships making port-of-call day visits is expected to double to 59 this year, bringing in an additional $6 million to the local economy.


The passengers will visit Cocoa Village, hit the sands at Cocoa Beach, take an airboat ride on the St. Johns River or visit Kennedy Space Center.


There’s another bonus as well — visitors will hopefully like what they see and return for a full vacation.


Beyond that, port officials are steadily working to develop restaurant, entertainment and lodging facilities to expand the port’s activities.


That said, Port Canaveral is not without troubles.


The recession has hammered cargo shipping, with construction supplies that once poured in now scant.


However, the port should continue pursuing its long-term strategy to increase cargo shipments. It would also get a major boost if the U.S. ends its failed trade embargo with Cuba, which would open the port for Cuban cruises and cargo shipments there as well.


Payne and port commissioners are showing a steady hand in directing the port’s future, a course they should carefully follow in the years ahead.