Chief Executive Officer and Port Director
Port Canaveral
Captain John W. Murray joined the Canaveral Port Authority (CPA) in February 2016. A highly respected maritime executive, Capt. Murray brings a wealth of maritime experience to his role as Chief Executive Officer and Port Director for one of the world's most dynamic ports.
Prior to joining CPA, Capt. Murray was president and chief executive officer of Hapag-Lloyd USA, the U.S.-flag shipping subsidiary of Hapag-Lloyd AG, a leading global liner shipping company. A 40-year maritime industry veteran, Capt. Murray has held numerous positions of responsibility, rising through the management ranks following various mergers and acquisitions at Lykes Lines, CP Ships and finally, Hapag-Lloyd.
A U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, Capt. Murray earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nautical Science from the Maine Maritime Academy. Upon graduation, he joined Lykes Lines as a Third Mate, quickly rose to Master, and his last at-sea assignment was commanding the S.S. Brinton Lykes. Capt. Murray's shore side assignments included Mid-Atlantic Division Regional Operations Manager in Norfolk, Va., overseeing vessel fleet operations for Lykes' Marine Division, and Vice President, Operations with responsibility for all Lykes Lines container logistics, marine and insurance activities. He was named President and CEO of Lykes Lines in 2000.
Capt. Murray is at the helm of Port Canaveral, one of Florida's fastest growing seaports. With a staff of more than 200 Port employees, he manages a world-class gateway for cruises, cargo, recreation and logistics, as well as a gateway to new frontiers, including space.
Capt. Murray has been a member of the National Cargo Bureau since 1997, was elected to the American Bureau of Shipping in 2016, and is appointed to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Transportation Research Board. He served on the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Executive Working Group (EWG) and participated in the biannual Department of Defense forum established to regularly interact with commercial ocean carriers supporting U.S. military sealift requirements. Capt. Murray has testified before the U.S. Congress as a subject matter expert in maritime industry management and vessel operations in a global economy. His additional professional affiliations include a long-standing member of the National Defense Transportation Association, the Navy League of the United States, the Council of American Master Mariners, and the International Propeller Club chapters in Washington, D.C., Tampa and Port Canaveral, Florida. He is current vice-chair of the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council (FSTED).