A bold proposal has emerged in Manatee County that could reshape the future of cruise tourism along Florida’s Gulf Coast: a new cruise ship port near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge designed to welcome the largest modern vessels that currently cannot access Port Tampa Bay because of height restrictions.
What’s Proposed
The plan, spearheaded by SSA Marine in partnership with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC, calls for a multi-berth terminal on roughly 328 acres of coastal land known as the Knott-Cowen tract, located on the Gulf side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Manatee County.
This new port would be constructed seaward of the bridge — which currently limits ship access due to its approximate 180-foot clearance over the water — allowing mega-size cruise ships built in the last decade to homeport or visit without restriction.
Developers estimate that, if approved and built, the port could take three to five years to complete and serve as a major maritime hub on Florida’s Gulf Coast, vastly expanding Tampa Bay’s cruise-tourism footprint.
Economic Benefits Promised
Proponents of the proposal highlight several potential economic and strategic advantages:
• Accommodating modern cruise ships: Many of the newest cruise vessels — including tall, large ships from major lines — are currently unable to sail to Port Tampa Bay because they can’t safely clear the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. A new port would solve this constraint and keep Tampa Bay competitive as a cruise destination.
• Job creation and tourism growth: Developers and industry advocates say expanded cruise service could generate thousands of jobs in tourism, hospitality, marine services, logistics, and support industries. Some estimates discussed publicly suggest tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and significant annual tax revenue for county and regional governments. Some reports include as many as 30,000 potential new jobs from such a venture.
• Regional tourism expansion: A new port could boost visitors not just to Manatee County but across the broader Tampa Bay region, supporting local businesses and attracting enhanced investment in waterfront development and travel infrastructure. Not only would this directly impact tourism, but it would also inadvertently bring even more out-of-state visitors to our region, helping boost local businesses.
• Industry relevance: As cruise lines continue building ever-larger ships, a port capable of hosting them can help Tampa Bay remain relevant in the evolving cruise industry instead of losing market share to East Coast or Caribbean ports.
Environmental and Community Concerns
However, community reaction — especially on social media and petition platforms — shows that the proposal is far from universally welcomed. A number of environmental groups and local residents have voiced strong opposition, emphasizing potential risks to fragile coastal ecosystems and quality of life.
• Ecosystem impact: The proposed site sits adjacent to the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve and near Rattlesnake Key, areas considered environmentally sensitive with rich wildlife habitat and seagrass beds. Environmental advocates argue that large-scale port construction and increased maritime traffic could disrupt water quality, wetlands, and marine wildlife.
• Growing petition movement: Online petitions opposing the project have quickly gained traction. As of late January 2026, residents had signed petitions numbering in the thousands on Change.org and other platforms, reflecting strong public anxiety about industrial development in a historically undeveloped area.
• Traffic and infrastructure concerns: Critics also raise concerns about the impact on local roads, congestion, and county infrastructure if cruise traffic and related commerce increase significantly around the site.
• Calls for careful review: Local leaders and commentators — including some Manatee County officials — have pointed out that the proposal is still early and will require public hearings, environmental assessments, zoning reviews, and broad community feedback before moving forward.
Mixed Social Media Reaction
On social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, responses reflect a polarized community:
- Many users express enthusiasm for economic development and the idea of bringing larger ships and more visitors to the region. Proponents often cite the job creation potential and the possibility of boosting local businesses.
- Opponents underscore worries about losing the region’s natural character, harm to wildlife, and potential environmental degradation. Some community posts encourage fellow residents to sign petitions or contact county commissioners.
Comments also span practical concerns (such as impact on local traffic and housing markets) and broader debates about how much industrial development coastal communities should allow.
What The Community is Saying on Facebook:
“Steve H. Writes – “This needs to happen in Manatee Cty or take a part of Ft DeSoto on the bayside and create this port. In a few years Tampa cruise port will be obsolete as cruise ships that can actually get under the skyway age out. Tampa will lose significant revenue and jobs and no longer be a cruise destination. I’ve been saying this for several years now. I’m glad it’s finally being looked at seriously.”
While Many in the Community respond to this logic, stating…
Bruni R. Wrote – “I just love all the transplants that have been here for less than two years going hard for this. No emotional connection to our real Florida or the environmental importance/history of this place.”
The reality is that South West Florida is changing fast, and not all are accommodating to seeing the ecological and financial changes being made. That said, I will raise one further point, which I don’t think either side of the community has yet added: the traffic. The Skyway Bridge is a vital artery for residents from Sarasota to get to Tampa. This additional strain on our roadways will cause a lot of delays in getting to the airport and or visiting St. Pete/Clearwater from Bradenton. This consideration I hope is going to be considered as a benefit for some might be outweighed by the benefits to others.
What’s Next
As of early 2026, the cruise port remains a proposal, not an approved development. Manatee County’s planning and zoning process will likely include public hearings, environmental impact studies, and multi-agency reviews before any formal decision. Supporters emphasize the port’s economic opportunities, while critics are expected to continue organizing opposition and pushing for stringent environmental protections.
The coming weeks and months could see local government votes and broader public debate, shaping one of the most consequential infrastructure decisions for Tampa Bay’s waterfronts in years.
