Opposition Grows Against Proposed Tampa Bay Cruise Port

The movement to block a proposed cruise port in Tampa Bay, Florida, continues to grow.

Developers have been considering building a new port on the 328 acres of land known as the Knott-Cowen tract in Manatee County. Preliminary plans also call for the purchase of Rattlesnake Key, which is a 710-acre island adjacent to the proposed site.

This would enable the world’s largest mega-ships, which can’t currently fit under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, to operate out of Tampa for the first time.

But while cruisers may be happy about this possible development, the number of unhappy people is growing.

A Change.org petition launched soon after the idea was announced, and since Cruise Hive last checked the progress on January 21, the number of signatures has risen from 6,075 to a staggering 18,999. This number is only expected to grow, with plenty of signatures still pouring in on a daily basis.

The opposition has concerns that the new port would destroy the unique ecosystem in this area, harming marine habitats, nesting birds, coral reefs, and fish nurseries.

They also worry about how increased ship traffic could endanger local wildlife, such as manatees, and lower the economic value of the bay for tourism, fishing, and boating.

Lawmakers Take Steps to Protect Marine Preserve

In a new development in the saga, Florida State Senator Jim Boyd has filed new legislation that may block plans to build the new cruise port.

The legislative proposal, which was filed on February 18, 2026, would clarify restrictions on dredging in the area surrounding the Manatee County property.

These waters are designated as part of the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, which is part of a major environmental restoration project that is focused on marine protection and restoring natural tidal circulation.

Under Boyd’s proposal, Senate Bill 302 would be amended to only allow dredging in the preserve under very specific conditions, such as improving human health by getting rid of stagnant waters.

It also sets forth policies to ensure that any dredging that is completed is done in a way that will not negatively affect the water quality or harm the preserve.

“If passed, this provides another tool in the toolbox to ensure the heart of our community is protected and maintained for generations to come,” Senator Boyd said in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times.

Constructing a multi-ship berth capable of accommodating the world’s largest ships would likely require at least 50 feet of digging and dredging, so these restrictions would certainly pose a barrier.

For context, cruise ships typically need at least 25 to 50 feet of water beneath them in order to dock safely. At this time, it’s unclear when Boyd’s proposal will go to a vote. Cruise Hive will share updates as they become available.

Continuing to Explore the Idea

At this stage, the new cruise port is still in the conceptual and fact-finding stage. Even as the opposition grows, the developers are continuing to explore this option.

When asked about the possible new legislation, the developers implied that it would be a factor in the decision making process but it has not brought the project to a stop – at least not yet.

Honey Rand, the spokesperson for the landowner, told the Tampa Bay Times that the legislation “will move through the usual process as will consideration of the entitlements associated with Knott-Cowen, the proposed project, the zoning and many, many other factors.”

If the new port does come to fruition, it is expected to create more than 31,000 jobs tied to the construction and bring more than 13,000 permanent jobs upon completion.

The developers also predict that the new port will bring in roughly $40 million annually in tax revenue, though this has not been confirmed. For now, cruisers on both sides of the debate will need to wait and see what happens next.