Developers Study New Cruise Port Near Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Florida

SSA Marine and Slip Knott LLC are evaluating plans to develop a new cruise port near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Manatee County, Florida.

Information published on the project’s website explains that the proposed Knott-Cowen Cruise Port is intended to support and complement existing cruise activity in West Central Florida. The port would be designed to accommodate newer, larger cruise ships with lower emissions.

According to the developers, many modern cruise vessels are currently unable to call in the region because of the height limitations imposed by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

“As cruise ships continue to modernize, the region will be well positioned to align with and support the cruise industry’s future growth,” SSA Marine and Slip Knott said.

The proposal outlines plans for a multi-berth cruise terminal located immediately adjacent to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The facility would be built on the 328-acre Knott-Cowen site in Manatee County.

Environmental preservation is a central element of the project. Plans include protecting the neighboring Rattlesnake Key, which the developers described as a “treasured local community asset.”

In addition to welcoming vessels with lower environmental impact, the project aims to safeguard the surrounding area. SSA Marine reportedly acquired the 710-acre Rattlesnake Key property through its subsidiary, the Rattlesnake Key Preservation Company.

“(The area) has long been the subject of concern regarding potential future commercial development, and our intent in purchasing the property is to remove any possibility of private commercialization and ensure its conservation,” the project website stated.

The cruise port would be privately funded by SSA Marine and is intended to modernize cruise infrastructure in West Central Florida while delivering substantial economic benefits.

Developers estimate that construction would take between three and five years following the planning phase, which began in early 2026.

“While the project remains in the early planning phase and will be subject to zoning and other required approvals, initial work has already begun to identify and evaluate potential considerations, including traffic, noise, environmental impacts and public access,” the developers said.

SSA Marine and Slip Knott project that the development could support more than 31,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state and region, increasing labor wages by an estimated $1.6 billion.

The overall investment is expected to generate more than $5 billion in total economic impact for Florida and the surrounding area.

Manatee County has a history of cruise operations. Port Manatee previously served as a homeport for several cruise lines.

According to Cruise Industry News, Regal Cruises was the last operator to sail from the port, which was located beyond the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

After Regal Cruises filed for bankruptcy in 2003, Port Manatee was left without cruise ships and eventually withdrew from the cruise sector.