New Cruise Port Near Tampa Proposed, Allowing Larg...

Cruise ships have been crusing out of Tampa, Florida for over 40 years.  And whereas the enduring cruise port is residence 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 alter all that with a brand new location for a brand-new cruise port. 

Why Giant Ships Can’t Go to Tampa

The largest motive bigger ships can’t go to Tampa is because of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  It’s a ravishing 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 underneath 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 line with news reports, SSA Marine, a cruise terminal operator in North America, has introduced an concept for a contemporary cruise port facility positioned on the Knott-Cowen tract.

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

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

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

A Strategic Transfer

The proposal comes from a partnership with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC.  The objective 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 present cruise actions within the area by with the ability to service the newer, bigger, low-emissions cruise vessels that will in any other case be unable to go to because of the 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 enormous for the native financial system along with providing extra selection to native cruisers.

Early estimates from the builders counsel 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 also 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’s a treasured local 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 conserving 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 great 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 will likely be properly positioned to align with and assist the cruise business’s future development,” Borzone stated.