New Cruise Port Close to Tampa Proposed, Permitting Giant Ships to Lastly Skip Bridge

Cruise ships have been crusing out of Tampa, Florida for over 40 years.  And whereas the long-lasting cruise port is house to smaller ships like Grandeur of the Seas, Carnival Paradise, and Norwegian Star, bigger ships can’t go to town.

One firm is hoping to vary all that with a brand new location for a brand-new cruise port. 

Why Giant Ships Can’t Go to Tampa

The most important purpose bigger ships can’t go to Tampa is as a result of Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  It’s a fantastic bridge, however its 190-foot vertical clearance prevents some ships from calling on Tampa.

Cruise ships from the Icon-class or Oasis-class with Royal Caribbean are too tall to suit below the bridge, and Carnival’s Excel-class along with Norwegian’s Prima-class are over the 190-foot restrict.

However partly, these limitations may quickly be a factor of the previous.  In accordance with information stories, SSA Marine, a cruise terminal operator in North America, has introduced an concept for a contemporary cruise port facility situated on the Knott-Cowen tract.

As a result of this 328-acre website in Manatee County sits “seaward” (on the Gulf facet) of the Skyway Bridge, ships would not have to fret in regards to the top of the bridge.

The brand new website is about 24 nautical miles from the Tampa cruise port, and regardless that it’s an extended drive for Tampa residents, it’s much more accessible for cruise ships.

At the moment, navigating the slender channels close to Tampa takes about 2 hours earlier than ships cross below the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  So, the brand new location can be a timesaver for ship journey as properly.

A Strategic Transfer

The proposal comes from a partnership with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC.  The aim is to make West Central Florida a top-tier vacation spot for contemporary cruise ships.  And permitting bigger ships to sail out and in of the Tampa space may just do that.

“Our new port will complement current cruise actions within the area by having the ability to service the newer, bigger, low-emissions cruise vessels that will in any other case be unable to go to as a result of top restrictions of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge,” stated Stefano Borzone, president of SSA Marine’s Cruise Division.

By permitting these “mega-ships” to dock, the venture could possibly be big for the native financial system along with providing extra selection to native cruisers.

Early estimates from the builders recommend the venture may generate greater than 31,000 jobs within the state and regional financial system and increase labor earnings by $1.6 billion.

Conservation In Focus

The brand new proposal can be tied to Rattlesnake Key, a 700-acre island that has been the subject of conservation points for years.

In October 2025, SSA Marine purchased the island for $18 million only for the aim of stopping it from being commercialized.

“Our intent in buying the property is to take away any chance of personal commercialization and guarantee its conservation,” Borzone stated. “We acknowledge Rattlesnake Secret is a treasured area people asset.”

The corporate plans to make use of the island as a pure buffer and hopes to protect it whereas the brand new port operates close by.

What’s Subsequent

The venture continues to be in its early phases, so don’t plan on cruising out of the Tampa space on a mega ship any time quickly. Building may take 3-5 years as soon as the allowing course of is full, and that’s with none main snags within the course of.

However SSA Marine has dedicated to a clear public course of, together with preserving the group concerned and attending formal hearings with the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.

For cruisers, it’s an thrilling time.  One other port to entry the fantastic world of cruising on the most recent and newest ships is one thing Tampa is well-positioned to supply.

“With cruise ships persevering with to modernize, the area might be properly positioned to align with and help the cruise trade’s future progress,” Borzone stated.