Developers Propose Controversial Cruise Port Near Historic Sunshine Skyway Bridge
A partnership between global terminal operator SSA Marine and Tampa-based landowner Slip Knott LLC has unveiled plans to construct a major cruise ship terminal in Manatee County, Florida. The proposed facility is slated for the 328-acre Knott-Cowen Tract, located seaward of the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge near the mouth of Tampa Bay. The project aims to solve a logistical hurdle for the local cruise industry: modern “mega-ships” are currently too tall to pass under the Skyway Bridge to reach existing terminals at Port Tampa Bay.
According to documents filed with Manatee County, the developers intend to privately finance the multi-berth terminal, positioning it as a significant economic engine for the region. SSA Marine, which operates cargo and cruise terminals worldwide, asserts the project would generate local jobs and capture a segment of the tourism market currently bypassing the area due to bridge height restrictions. The company also recently acquired the adjacent 710-acre Rattlesnake Key, stating this purchase was intended to preserve the island and prevent commercial development on that specific parcel.
The proposal has immediately encountered stiff resistance from environmental groups, local residents, and state legislators. Organizations such as Suncoast Waterkeeper have mobilized opposition, citing the location’s proximity to the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Critics argue that dredging and increased vessel traffic would inflict irreversible damage on sensitive seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and habitats essential for manatees and fish populations. A petition circulating against the development has already garnered over 12,000 signatures.
Political opposition is also mounting. State Senator Jim Boyd and State Representative Will Robinson, both Republicans representing the area, have publicly voiced their disapproval. They highlight previous legislative efforts to purchase the land for conservation, which stalled when the property owner rejected the state’s appraisal value of approximately $7 million, seeking a higher price. “I don’t think that’s a good idea at all,” Senator Boyd stated regarding the port proposal, emphasizing that the site contains some of the region’s most pristine coastline.
Local officials have raised additional concerns regarding infrastructure. Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn questioned how the new facility would impact operations at the nearby SeaPort Manatee, located just four miles away, and warned of potential seasonal traffic surges that could overwhelm local roadways. The project is still in the early exploratory stages and will require extensive permitting from county authorities, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before any construction can begin.
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