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Cruise ship terminal in Manatee County may be sunk
An amended bill headed to the governor’s desk would severely restrict dredging in an area near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
The plan to create a cruise ship port near the Sunshine Skyway may be sunk after the Florida House unanimously passed legislation limiting dredging needed by larger ships.
Bradenton Sen. Jim Boyd’s bill passed the Senate last month. It would expand the boundaries of the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve in Manatee County into an area cruise ships would need to pass through, south of the Sunshine Skyway. Dredging would not be allowed if it would impact water quality.
The measure now heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.
An amendment in Boyd’s bill would allow only minimal dredging for boat ramps and marinas. It reads:
“Minimum dredging and filling as may be authorized for the creation and maintenance of marinas, public boat ramps, piers, and docks and their attendant navigation channels and access roads. Such projects may be authorized only upon a specific finding by the board that there is assurance that the project will be constructed and operated in a manner that will not adversely affect the water quality and utility of the preserve.”
“Such dredging as is necessary for the purpose of eliminating conditions hazardous to the public health or for the purpose of eliminating stagnant waters, islands, and spoil banks, the dredging of which would enhance the aesthetic and environmental quality and utility of the preserve and be clearly in the public interest as determined by the board.”
The Terra Ceia preserve covers submerged lands in Tampa Bay, running from the Port Manatee ship channel to the Manatee-Hillsborough county line, then along the Intracoastal Waterway, around Emerson Point on Snead Island, and along the shores of Terra Ceia Bay, Miguel Bay, Joe Bay and Bishop Harbor.
In January, SSA Marine announced it was exploring plans to develop the port on the 330-acre Knott-Cowen tract, on an island on the Gulf side of the Skyway, in partnership with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC.
SSA said its facility would complement cruise operations at Port Tampa Bay and position the region for future industry growth as ships continue to increase in size and adopt lower-emission technologies.
As part of its proposal, SSA Marine disclosed it recently acquired environmentally sensitive Rattlesnake Key, an adjacent 710-acre island on Terra Ceia Bay, to prevent private commercial development. The purchase, through the subsidiary Rattlesnake Preservation Co., will allow SSA to work on conservation efforts with local officials, residents and environmental groups, the company said.
Backers say the terminal is needed to attract larger cruise ships that are too tall to fit under the Skyway.
But opponents say such a port would ruin the fragile ecosystem. They held rallies that attracted hundreds of people to pressure lawmakers to block the plan. At least 12,000 people signed a petition against the idea.
Steve Newborn covers the environment and politics in the Tampa Bay area for NPR affiliate WUSF.
The proposed dredging site. Image: Manatee County.
Wayne Collin
March 12, 2026at2:47 pm
I don’t understand why anyone would be against this, it would be a huge game for manage county. These taxes alone would be a huge gain. Not only would the facility and ships be taxed, but there is also a tax for each person that travels.
Luis Ramirez
March 12, 2026at8:50 am
This is an encouraging step forward and a meaningful victory for grassroots advocacy. However, the process is not over, and we must remain attentive to what comes next.
The Governor has previously supported development on environmentally sensitive lands, including proposals affecting state parks. As a result, an important question remains: when this bill reaches his desk, will he veto it or sign it into law? Even if it is approved, there is also the possibility that developers could attempt to block or weaken its enforcement through litigation.
For these reasons, continued vigilance is essential. The Governor has, on multiple occasions, demonstrated a close alignment with large development interests.
Responsibility also rests with the Manatee County Commission. When the Commission had the opportunity to purchase Rattlesnake Key, it declined to do so. That decision contributed to the circumstances we are confronting today. Many residents have long expressed concern that development interests have held significant influence over commission decisions.
This issue is not resolved. Community awareness and engagement will continue to be critical moving forward.
RUTH BARRENS
March 12, 2026at8:32 am
The Florida legislature finally did something right. Thanks, Steve, for your continued reporting on this potentially disastrous attempt to destroy our fragile environment.