Is there a proposal to open a new cruise terminal in Port Manatee in Florida? Yes there is !!!

Here are the key details about the proposal…

* Who’s Behind It: Seattle-based SSA Marine is partnering with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC to develop the facility.

* SSA Marine is already a major cruise terminal operator in Florida, running operations at several ports including Port Tampa Bay, Port Canaveral, and Port Miami.
The Location: The terminal would be built on a roughly 328-acre coastal property known as the Knott-Cowen tract at the mouth of Tampa Bay next to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

* Why It’s Needed: Currently, only smaller ships can sail from Tampa due to the height restrictions of the Skyway Bridge. By placing the new terminal on the seaward side of the bridge, it would allow modern mega-cruise ships to dock without clearance issues.

* Environmental Consideration: The developers purchased the adjacent 710-acre Rattlesnake Key property to prevent private development and ensure its conservation.

* Timeline: Construction is expected to take three to five years if approved, but the project must first go through comprehensive zoning and permitting reviews with Manatee County authorities.

Knott-Cowen Cruise Port has already created a website with details…follow this link