Seattle-based cruise company SSA Marine and Tampa-based holding company Slip Knott, LLC have revealed plans for a new cruise port on Florida’s Gulf Coast in Manatee County. Located just south of Tampa Bay, near Bradenton, Florida, the proposed port would open the region to the largest modern cruise ships for the first time.
The new cruise port and terminal facility would be built on a 300-acre site known as the Knott-Cowen tract, which is adjacent to and on the Gulf of Mexico side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Currently, mega cruise ships are unable to sail out of the Port of Tampa since they can not sail under the Skyway.
This was the plan in January 2026. Since that time, there has been considerable public opposition to the proposed plan, and now, Senate Bill 302 is moving through the Florida legislature, which will hinder and possibly stop the project.
A new cruise port would certainly bring larger cruise ships and an economic boost to the Tampa Bay area, but many are more concerned about the environmental impact. The facility will require extensive dredging to create deep-water access for the larger cruise vessels. The environmental concern is that the dredging will disturb the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a protected area that links lower Tampa Bay with the Manatee River. Senate Bill 302 is aimed at protecting the area.
Republican Representative Will Robinson has strongly supported the legislation and stated, “It is one of the most pristine areas in our state, and we don’t need mega cruise ships in this area.” Robinson considered it “one of the more important environmental bills” to be voted on during this session.
The bill was passed on March 9, 2026, with a unanimous vote of 109 to 0. The bill will now go to Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk, where it is expected to be signed. If so, it will go into effect on July 1, 2026.