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the skyway bridge
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links could be broken at any time. modern cruise ships are too large to sail under the skyway, thus threatening tampa's cruise port.
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| 01.28.26: Tampa landowners respond to Skyway cruise port backlash. |
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01.28.26, axios.com,
The developers of a proposed cruise port near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge say they share a goal
with those railing against it: preserving Rattlesnake Key. Why it matters: The cruise port proposal has renewed public concern about the 700-acre-plus island of mangrove forests and wetlands popular with anglers and boaters. • The tract has been on the state's land acquisition wish list for three decades, but proposals to take ownership have fallen through. State of play: Rattlesnake Key had long been owned by Tampa Bay Real Estate Investment Co., which sold it to cruise operator SSA Marine last year and is working with that company to develop the proposed port on a separate but nearby piece of land. • As part of that transaction, SSA Marine agreed to preserve the island, according to the cruise company and Honey Rand, a spokesperson for the real estate firm. • "The community said they wanted Rattlesnake Key preserved, and that is going to happen thanks to SSA," Rand told Axios, speaking publicly for the first time since the proposal was announced Jan. 16. • Through a holding company, the Tampa firm still owns a 328-acre property known as the Knott-Cowen tract, where the proposed port would be built. Yes, but: Critics say the preservation of Rattlesnake Key isn't enough to offset the potential damage to surrounding waterways and the tourism, fishing and boating industries. • "I don't think that protecting an area … that should already have our protection is grounds for destroying everything around it," said Justin Tramble, executive director of Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, an environmental advocacy nonprofit that opposes the plan. Zoom in: Tramble was referring to previous efforts to bring the island under state ownership through the Florida Forever land conservation program. • In 2022, state lawmakers and Manatee County officials designated about $25 million to buy the property. • Tampa Bay Real Estate Investment had also offered to include the Knott-Cowen tract and a few surrounding islands owned by the firm in the deal, Rand said. • But a state appraisal of the land undercut the sale, and the deal fell apart. What they're saying: "We could have possibly avoided all this distraction and disruption if that acquisition had gone through," Bradenton Republican Rep. Will Robinson told Florida Politics last week. Flashback: The recent failed purchase wasn't the state's first chance to acquire the land. • In 2012, the investment firm sought a land swap with the state: 1,000 acres of privately owned wetlands, including Rattlesnake Key and Knott-Cowen, in exchange for a small state-owned parcel closer to Interstate 275 that the owners were eyeing for development. • State officials weren't interested, Rand said, and the owners abandoned the plans. The latest: With the cruise port project now on the horizon, the landowners have begun preliminary talks with the county to rezone the port site. • County spokesperson Bill Logan stressed that the project "could not be any earlier" in the regulatory process. What's next: SSA Marine said in a statement that leaders "look forward to working closely with local officials, residents and environmental leaders in the months ahead to discuss how best to preserve" Rattlesnake Key. • As for the public backlash, Tramble of Tampa Bay Waterkeeper said he doesn't see it fading any time soon, nor does he want it to. • "Floridians and especially folks here in the Tampa Bay region understand the importance of protecting what we've got here," he said. |
| 01.24.26: Opposition grows to proposed cruise port near Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. The company leading the proposal, SSA Marine, is a subsidiary of Carrix, Inc., which is owned by Blackstone Infrastructure Partners. |
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01.24.26, thebradentontimes.com, MANATEE COUNTY — A proposal by global terminal operator SSA Marine to build a private cruise port
near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Manatee County has sparked intense public opposition,
particularly from environmental groups and residents concerned about its proximity to the Terra
Ceia Aquatic Preserve. While no formal development application has been submitted, the announcement alone has prompted citizen organizing, political pushback, and increased public scrutiny of the proposed development, as concerns grow locally about state-level encroachment on home rule. Last week, on the same day that SSA Marine announced its plans in a guest op-ed published in the Bradenton Herald, a consultant representing Slip Knott, LLC submitted pre-application paperwork to Manatee County’s Development Services Department. A pre-application is an informal, preliminary step in the county’s development review process, allowing an applicant to seek early feedback from staff before submitting a formal proposal and request. It does not constitute an application for approval, does not guarantee that a project will move forward, and, in some cases, is never followed by a formal submission. A formal planning application, if submitted, would require fees, detailed plans, staff review, and public hearings before the county’s Planning Commission and County Commission. According to public property records, Slip Knott, LLC is the current owner of the Knott-Cowen parcel—the 328-acre parcel north of Rattlesnake Key and Miguel Bay. In October, a subsidiary of SSA Marine purchased Rattlesnake Key from Cayo Cascabel LLC, a seller that shared a registered agent and corporate manager with Slip Knott, LLC. Rattlesnake Key Preservation Company, LLC—an SSA Marine subsidiary—announced the purchase in a press release pledging to preserve the island a nd prevent future development. The ownership ties between Rattlesnake Key and the Knott-Cowen tract, along with SSA Marine’s dual role as both developer and preservation entity, have led to confusion among some residents over which parcels are slated for development and by whom. Opposition Builds as Environmental Concerns Grow. This week, Suncoast Waterkeeper, a local environmental advocacy organization, announced it was taking action to build a coalition aimed at stopping the cruise port proposal. In a statement posted to its website, the group wrote, “The proposed port would threaten the health of our shared watersheds, including Tampa Bay, Terra Ceia Bay, Sarasota Bay, and beyond. SSA Marine’s claims about economic benefits and ecological preservation obscure the real, serious harm this terminal would inflict on our waterways, our health, our businesses, and our way of life.” SSA Marine has estimated that its project would generate more than 31,000 jobs and boost labor earnings by approximately $1.6 billion, projections that have not been confirmed by independent economic analysis. Opponents argue that those estimates don’t account for the potential environmental costs or long-term impacts to existing businesses dependent on the local waterways. On Wednesday, Suncoast Waterkeeper, together with Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, launched the Stop the Skyway Cruise Port petition, which collected more than 3,500 signatures over two days. A separate citizen-created petition posted on change.org by the owner of McKeever’s Marine, Manatee County resident Corey McKeever, surpassed 10,000 signatures after its launch the day following SSA Marine’s announcement. State Lawmakers Weigh In. On Thursday, two elected officials added their voices to the growing opposition to the proposal. Speaking to Florida Politics, state Rep. Will Robinson and Sen. Jim Boyd, both Manatee County Republicans, cited concerns about environmental impacts and site compatibility. “I’m not in favor of that proposal at all. I would do my best to dissuade those who are considering that,” Boyd told Florida Politics. “There’s got to be a better place for a port like that than Manatee County on the south side of the Skyway Bridge.” “It’s all about compatibility,” added Robinson. “To me, this area is in no shape or measure compatible with cruise ships, so economic benefits don’t matter if it’s not compatible. It would permanently change the character of that area to our region’s detriment.”. In response to our emailed request for comment, Rep. Bill Conerly shared concerns that, besides the environmental considerations, a private cruise port development in the area of Rattlesnake Key "raises concerns about seasonal traffic surges, roadway congestion, infrastructure strain, along with environmental impacts on sensitive coastal habitats. Even if located outside the port, increased vessel activity and tourism-related traffic could conflict with SeaPort Manatee’s cargo-focused mission." He added, "Strengthening SeaPort Manatee’s existing cargo operations remains the most responsible and sustainable path forward. For those reasons, I do not support a passenger cruise terminal.” When reached for comment, Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan, whose district includes the area, stopped short of taking a position like Robinson and Boyd, telling TBT by email, “I’ve heard concerns from residents and community stakeholders about the potential impact of this plan, and I hope to receive more information about how this proposal will impact our community.” SSA Marine Declines Comment as Questions Mount. So far, SSA Marine has declined to comment further on its proposal, directing inquiries to its website as public discussion and questions surrounding the project continue to grow. On Friday, TBT emailed the designated spokesperson for SSA Marine and the Rattlesnake Key Preservation Company for the project, asking whether recent statements by state elected officials had surprised the company or might affect its plans moving forward. The spokesperson declined to comment and again referred us to the project website. A second email containing the same questions was sent to the Director of Communications for SSA Marine, Chris Volk. That email hadn’t garnered any response before our publication deadline. Slip Knott, LLC, which owns the Knott-Cowen property and submitted the pre-application with the county, has also declined further comment. While both the developer and landowner have declined to comment further, opposition to the proposal appears to be growing, with environmental groups and residents indicating they intend to contest the project if it advances to a permitting process. Any formal application would be likely to face legal challenges, potentially at multiple levels, which could lead to lengthy and costly court battles. SSA Marine, however, is backed by a global parent company with significant financial resources, which could readily position it to withstand complex legal challenges should the project move forward. SSA Marine operates as the primary subsidiary of Carrix, Inc., one of the largest privately held marine terminal operators in the world—and the largest in North America. In November 2021, Blackstone Infrastructure Partners announced it had acquired full ownership of Carrix Inc., in a transaction reported to be valued at $2.5 billion or more. Blackstone Infrastructure Partners is the infrastructure investment arm of Blackstone Inc. According to its website, Blackstone Inc. is the world’s largest alternative asset manager, with more than $1 trillion in assets under management. Blackstone Inc. is led by chair and CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman, a Palm Beach resident who helped establish the firm in 1985 and is named among the world’s 50 wealthiest individuals on Forbes’ 2025 World’s Billionaires List. Schwarzman has been an active political donor at the national level and previously served as chairman of President Donald Trump’s Strategic and Policy Forum, which assembled a select group of successful business leaders to advise the president during his first term. In 2020, Reuters reported that two months ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Blackstone's Schwarzman had emerged as a top political donor, significantly surpassing his previous political contributions in 2016 and 2018. According to campaign finance data compiled by OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan research organization, Schwarzman donated more than $35 million to conservative causes in 2024. More recently, in November, the Associated Press reported that Schwarzman was on the White House list of 37 donors helping fund the White House ballroom project. Despite the scale of SSA Marine’s corporate backing and the national profile of its ownership, the proposed cruise terminal on the Knott-Cowen tract would, if a formal application is submitted, still be subject to the county’s comprehensive plan, land development code, and zoning authority. Port Authority Bill Pulled Amid Questions of Timing and Control. As public opposition to SSA Marine’s proposed cruise port grew, attention also turned to separate port-related legislation introduced during Florida’s 2026 legislative session. While lawmakers said the bill was unrelated to the private cruise terminal proposal, its timing, the lack of public engagement, and the lack of majority support among Port Authority members raised questions. House Bill 4073, sponsored by Rep. Bill Conerly and supported by members of the Manatee County legislative delegation, proposed restructuring the Manatee Port Authority by converting it from a dependent special district under county control into an independent special district, with four members appointed by the governor and one Manatee County Commissioner selected by the County Commission. The port authority serves as the governing and oversight body of SeaPort Manatee. While supporters of the measure argued that the change would strengthen the Port Authority’s expertise and governance, critics argued that it would limit the role of county commissioners, diminishing local policy influence on decisions regarding port operations and future development. Beyond restructuring the Port Authority’s governance model, the proposed legislation also revised how the agency’s powers were defined, adding substantial new language to the decades-old charter. Skepticism surrounding the bill was compounded by how abruptly it seemed to surface, advancing before broad public discussion was undertaken, despite the prior tie vote by authority members on whether to support the proposal. Against the broader backdrop of local concern over state preemption and encroachment on home rule, the timing of the legislation— followed months later by SSA Marine’s cruise port announcement—prompted heightened scrutiny of both issues. On Friday, Rep. Robinson and Sen. Boyd acknowledged the timing of the measure was less than ideal in light of SSA Marine’s announcement. "While HB 4073 has no direct relationship to a cruise terminal, there are concerns about proposed changes to control and jurisdiction at this critical time. Therefore, we believe it is prudent to pause and withdraw the local bill from further consideration this legislative session and allow for continued dialogue with all stakeholders,” the lawmakers wrote in a joint statement. When reached by phone late Friday afternoon, Robinson confirmed to TBT with confidence that the measure was “dead” and would not advance in this session—neither as a stand-alone measure nor as a last-minute add-in to any other legislation. In an email, Rep. Conerly, who sponsored the measure, built upon his comments regarding the proposed cruise port in the region. "SeaPort Manatee is a proven economic driver, supporting stable jobs, efficient cargo movement, and long-term industrial growth," he wrote. "Its success depends on maintaining a clear focus on freight operations that businesses and workers rely on every day." Though lawmakers strongly signaled their continued support for restricting the port authority, the decision to withdraw HB 4073 was met with relief by opponents of both the Port Authority's restructuring and the proposed cruise terminal. Despite that relief, concerns surrounding SSA Marine’s development proposal remained. Citizens’ sentiments have been visible in comment sections of local reporting and across social media community groups, suggesting that opponents of a cruise port development in the shared waters of the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve—where mangrove forests lace pristine coastlines—remain committed to pushing back until the proposal is either formally withdrawn or rejected by local review. With HB 4073 withdrawn for consideration during this legislative session, county officials and members of the public await to learn how SSA Marine or landowner Slip Knott, LLC., will proceed with their shared intention to see a cruise port constructed in Manatee County, near the Sunshine Skyway Causeway. One thing seems clear: the proposal has drawn the attention of environmental advocates, neighborhood groups, the county, and region—ensuring that whatever the next step, the public will be following this proposal closely. |
| 01.24.26: Over 10,000 sign petition opposing Manatee County cruise terminal development. |
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01.24.26, bradenton.com, One week after news broke of a cruise port proposal in Manatee County, thousands
of citizens are gearing up to oppose the plan. A petition on Change.org has garnered over 10,000 signatures as of Friday afternoon, raising concerns about environmental impacts and resident quality of life if the cruise port becomes reality. SSA Marine recently announced development plans to build a cruise port on 328 acres of undeveloped land on the Knott-Cowen Tract, just north of Rattlesnake Key in the Terra Ceia area. Plans submitted by the company show the cruise port would be adjacent to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The company said the Knott-Cowen Cruise Port would attract larger cruise ships that can’t fit under the Skyway Bridge to dock and depart from Port Tampa Bay, which already offers cruise ship service. The project is still in the early phases, though, and would require several approvals from the Manatee County Government and government agencies. If approved, construction could last three to five years, according to the project’s website. However, Manatee County residents — and those who enjoy Terra Ceia Bay — are concerned about the potential impacts of this project. “The proposed Knott-Cowen Cruise Port—on adjacent lands near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge—would cause direct and severe harm to Rattlesnake Key and the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve through dredging, mangrove removal, increased industrial activity, vessel wakes, and habitat fragmentation,” the petition states. Among the petitioners’ concerns are water quality impacts, increased vessel traffic, threats to wildlife and ecosystem strain that could harm local fisheries. The petition also links to several Facebook groups that are focused on preserving the local area, like the Save Rattlesnake Key group and People Protecting Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Petitioners react to Manatee cruise port plan. The petition is also flooded with comments from supporters, voicing a range of concerns. Some spoke about the sentimental value this land holds. “My father used to take us through Rattlesnake Key when we had boats and were younger. To hear the potential building on this land is so saddening and outrageous. If they do this those memories will no longer be able to be visited and that truly breaks my heart,” one comment says. Some call on the Manatee County commissioners to stop this proposal, since parts of the project, like a zoning change and comprehensive plan amendment, will need the local board’s approval to move forward. “Truly sickening! The last area in Manatee County of (its) kind. A truly special jewel. Manatee County Commissioners must take the gloves off for this one. This cannot be allowed to happen,” one comment says. And many comments touch on the concerns about environmental impacts that could come with building a cruise port. “This project would significantly harm the natural ecosystem and threatens one of the last remaining undeveloped shorelines in Manatee County,” one comment says. “The area supports a highly biodiverse mangrove forest that provides critical habitat, shoreline stabilization, and water-quality benefits. Rather than being disturbed or destroyed, this mangrove system should be further protected and conserved for its ecological value and long-term storm resilience.” SSA Marine’s proposal to build a cruise terminal is set to be considered by the Manatee County Commission at a later date. |
| 01.22.26: Development paperwork filed for new Manatee County cruise port. |
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01.22.26, bradenton.com, The company behind a proposal for a cruise ship port near the Sunshine Skyway
Bridge has shared new details of its plans in documents filed with Manatee County Government. The plans include a map of the proposed cruise ship port’s location within the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a protected natural area on the edge of Tampa Bay. The documents also include information about the company’s plan to dredge the area using rights they claim the State of Florida granted to the property approximately 70 years ago. The port concept would allow massive cruise ships that cannot fit under the Skyway to dock in Tampa Bay. It’s proposed for the Knott-Cowen Tract, a 328-acre piece of land that borders the north and south sides of Interstate 275, just east of the Skyway. The land is owned by Tampa-based company Slip Knott LLC, which is partnering with cruise ship terminal company SSA Marine to pursue the project. Here’s a closer look at the plans for the proposed port. Plans for Manatee County cruise ship center revealed. In filings with Manatee County Government, Slip Knott LLC shared a map that proposes a “cruise port center” at the south end of the Knott-Cowen Tract. The location is just south of I-275 and southeast of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It’s just west of Terra Ceia, an unincorporated community home to less than 500 residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.  The map shows a total of 308 acres included in the project, including 271 acres to the south of the interstate and 57 acres to the north. In addition to the Knott-Cowen Tract, the map shows that Paradise Island and Skeet Key, two islands to the west, are included in the project plans. It also depicts north and south I-275 exits to access the cruise port areas. “The addition of a cruise port at this location will strengthen and diversify the economy of Manatee County and provide a diverse range of employment opportunities to current and future residents of Manatee County,” says a letter dated Jan. 16 requesting a pre-application meeting with Manatee County’s Development Services. Residents react to cruise port proposal. SSA Marine announced its plans for a Manatee County cruise port in an opinion piece published last week on the Bradenton Herald’s website. The concept immediately drew a strong reaction from Manatee County residents on social media. While some have voiced support for the cruises and jobs that the port could bring to the area, many others strongly oppose it. Their concerns include potential environmental damage from dredging and cruise port traffic, as well as the crowds that the facility would bring to the area. What happens next? Filings with Manatee County Development Services say the company intends to seek a rezoning of its property for industrial development, as well as an amendment to the county’s Comprehensive Plan to allow the project to proceed. The department currently lists the project’s pre-application as “in review.” A letter from Manatee County Development Services dated Jan. 15 said the project qualifies for the county’s Rapid Response program, which speeds up consideration for projects that could have a significant impact on the local economy. If the company moves forward with its application, the project will require public hearings and approval by the Board of County Commissioners. |
| 01.22.26: Do the biggest cruise ships fit under Skyway Bridge? |
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01.22.26, bradenton.com, Developers planning to build a cruise port in Manatee County say one of the
project’s main goals is to attract larger cruise ships. The nearest cruise terminal to the planned Knott-Cowen Cruise Port is Port Tampa Bay. To dock there, cruise ships must fit under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. SSA Marine wants the proposed Manatee County port avoids the clearance issue, allowing taller ships to dock in the region. While a ship the size of the Titanic can easily pass beneath the Skyway, the largest modern ships cannot, according to ship dimensions reviews by the Bradenton Herald. “Our new port will complement existing cruise activities in the region by being able to service the newer, larger, low-emissions cruise vessels that would otherwise be unable to visit due to the height restrictions of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge,” Stefano Borzone, president of SSA Marine’s Cruise Division, said in an op-ed last week. “With cruise ships continuing to modernize, the region will be well positioned to align with and support the cruise industry’s future growth.” SSA Marine recently announced plans to build a cruise port on the 328-acre Knott-Cowen Tract, a piece of undeveloped land near Rattlesnake Key. The company also purchased Rattlesnake Key, which it says it intends to preserve. If granted approval, the company says it could construct the port in three to five years. With it may come the largest cruise ships the regions has ever seen. Can modern ships fit under Sunshine Skyway Bridge? Royal Caribbean operates some of the world’s largest cruise ships, including the Icon of the Seas, which took its maiden voyage from PortMiami in 2024. According to its Wikipedia page, the Icon of the Seas is 248 feet tall. The draft of the ship, the vertical distance from the waterline to the bottom of the ship, is 30 feet. That means the ship stands about 218 feet above the water line. That said, the Icon of the Seas can not clear the Skyway Bridge’s 190-foot clearance. The Icon of the Seas is a resort on the water. It touts 20 decks that include eight “neighborhoods,” a jogging track, laser tag, water parks and dozens of dining options. It can accommodate about 7,600 passengers. At 1,196 feet long, the Icon of the Seas is longer than the Titanic, which was about 883 feet long and sat about 140 feet above the water line. The Icon of the Seas also has twice as many decks as the Titanic. Another one of Royal Caribbean’s popular ships, the Oasis of the Seas, is about 206 feet above the waterline which, like the Icon, can not fit under the Skyway Bridge. One of Disney’s newest cruise ships, the Disney Wish, at 193 feet above water also cannot fit under the Skyway Bridge. Cruise ships steadily growing larger. Cruise ships have steadily increased in size since the 1970s. At the time, vessels had about an 800-passenger capacity. Then, in the 1980s, the industry began to modernize and cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival grew in popularity. The companies began operating cruise ships that could accommodate up to 1,500 passengers. It wasn’t until the 1990s that cruise ships began to carry more than 2,000 passengers, which rapidly grew in the 2000s as passenger counts rose to 5,000 for some ships. That growth continued to 2024, when the Icon of the Seas became the first cruise ship to surpass a capacity of 7,000 passengers, according to Port Economics, Management and Policy. |
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01.16.26: new rattlesnake key owner plans cruise terminal development near
skyway. option #1 above. |
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01.16.26, bradenton.com,
Over 300 acres of coastal Manatee County land near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge could soon become home
to cruise ship terminal. The new owner of Rattlesnake Key announced plans Friday morning to develop a cruise port on the Knott-Cowen Tract, a 328-acre piece of land just north of Rattlesnake Key. Building a cruise terminal on the 328-acre piece of land would allow larger cruise ships to visit Tampa Bay, the company said. "Our vision is rooted in a simple idea: enhancing West Central Florida’s position in an evolving cruise industry, while respecting the surrounding environment, creating long-term economic opportunities for the local community, and supporting regional tourism," Stefano Borzone, president of SSA Marine’s Cruise Division, announced in an op-ed. If approved, construction on the "Knott-Cowen Cruise Port" could take three to five years, according to the project’s website. SSA Marine plans to start community engagement this year and begin the permitting process with Manatee County Government, which will include public hearings with the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners. "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 site states. Borzone also said SSA Marine will preserve Rattlesnake Key. SSA Marine bought Rattlesnake Key through a subsidiary, the Rattlesnake Key Preservation Company, in October for $18 million from Cayo Cascabel LLC. The key, an island of over 700 acres of undeveloped land, had been owned by Cayo Cascabel LLC since 2004, when the company bought the key for $2 million. "We recognize Rattlesnake Key is a treasured local community asset that has long been the subject of concern regarding potential future commercial development. Our intent in purchasing the property is to remove any possibility of private commercialization and ensure its conservation," Borzone said. Past plans for Rattlesnake Key included a resort, public park or cruise ship port. County and state lawmakers attempted to purchase the land, too, though none of these plans came to fruition. Company plans cruise port near Rattlesnake Key. The closest cruise ship port is Port Tampa Bay, a starting point for major cruise companies like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, and a central hub for international shipping. Ships using Port Tampa Bay need to pass under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which has a vertical clearance of about 190 feet. SSA Marine says its port on the Knott-Cowen Tract will allow larger cruise ships that can’t fit under the Skyway Bridge to dock in the area. "Our new port will complement existing cruise activities in the region by being able to service the newer, larger, low-emissions cruise vessels that would otherwise be unable to visit due to the height restrictions of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge," Borzone said. "With cruise ships continuing to modernize, the region will be well positioned to align with and support the cruise industry’s future growth." SSA Marine is partnering with the Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC, which has owned the Knott-Cowen Tract land since 2007. The last sale price was $1.25 million, according to Manatee County property records. According to Borzone, the port could help the local economy by bringing 31,000 jobs and increasing regional labor earnings by $1.6 billion. "Throughout this project, we are committed to transparently working through the public process and welcome the opportunity to engage local residents in meaningful dialogue and work collaboratively with the community to ensure this effort reflects West Central Florida’s needs and creates sustained, long-term public benefit," Borzone said. Past attempts to preserve Rattlesnake Key. Failed attempts by Florida legislators in 2023 and 2024 have kept the land’s future uncertain. Florida legislators set aside $23 million in 2023 to purchase Rattlesnake Key, and Manatee County Government said it would contribute another $3 million. However, the plan hit a snag when the state’s appraisal came in at $7.6 million and opinions on a price were mixed. Then, in 2024, state legislators reduced the state’s financial commitment to $8 million, and Manatee County Government was in charge of spearheading the purchase, keeping its $3 million contribution. At the time, the land was listed for $75 million. And before SSA Marine’s recently-announced plan, others tried to develop Rattlesnake Key and the surrounding area. Slip Knott, LLC, now a partner with SSA Marine, pitched a marine wilderness park for the island in 2012. 01.16.26, bradenton.com, A vision for the future of the cruise industry in West Central Florida | Opinion, By Stefano Borzone, president of SSA Marine’s cruise division, Special to the Herald West Central Florida has long been a gateway to the world for commerce, tourism, and the communities that depend on both. As the cruise industry grows and modernizes, the region faces an important question: how to plan responsibly for future demand while protecting the natural assets that make this area unique. To help answer that question, SSA Marine, the leading cruise terminal operator in North America, in partnership with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC, is exploring the development of a modern cruise port facility in Manatee County on the Knott-Cowen tract, located adjacent to and seaward of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Our vision is rooted in a simple idea: enhancing West Central Florida’s position in an evolving cruise industry, while respecting the surrounding environment, creating long-term economic opportunities for the local community and supporting regional tourism. Our new port will complement existing cruise activities in the region by being able to service the newer, larger, low-emissions cruise vessels that would otherwise be unable to visit due to the height restrictions of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. With cruise ships continuing to modernize, the region will be well positioned to align with and support the cruise industry’s future growth. Cruise activity brings visitors, supports small businesses, and generates employment across a wide range of sectors, from hospitality and transportation to logistics and maritime services. We estimate that the construction investment of this project will generate more than 31,000 jobs in industries both directly and indirectly related to the new port in the state and regional economy, and boost labor earnings by approximately $1.6 billion. Throughout this project, we are committed to transparently working through the public process and welcome the opportunity to engage local residents in meaningful dialogue and work collaboratively with the community to ensure this effort reflects West Central Florida’s needs and creates sustained, long-term public benefit. Also central to this project is our commitment to environmental stewardship. To that end, SSA Marine recently acquired the adjacent 710-acre Rattlesnake Key property through its subsidiary, the Rattlesnake Key Preservation Company. We recognize Rattlesnake Key is a treasured local community asset that has long been the subject of concern regarding potential future commercial development. Our intent in purchasing the property is to remove any possibility of private commercialization and ensure its conservation. We look forward to working closely with local officials, residents, and environmental leaders in the months ahead to discuss how best to preserve the natural character of this special property. Together, we can define the next generation of cruising in West Central Florida: one that supports local jobs, strengthens the region, preserves the region’s unique ecology, and reflects the values of West Central Florida. Stefano Borzone is the president of SSA Marine’s cruise division. A veteran port operations and development executive, he oversees all of SSA Marine’s cruise operations, and collaborates closely with joint venture partners, customers, and port authorities. |
| 2013 opinion |
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while having a thriving cruise industry based in tampa bay is a
good thing, we hardly expect the taxpayers to be saddled with yet another corporate business,
insisting through basic extortion, that tax money compensation be acquired to satisfy their
upgrade demands. this is exactly the same as sport businesses demanding that taxpayers build
elaborate game palaces, in order to keep the team in town. if private business entities do not like their current business climate and do not wish to pay for the required upgrades, then we wish them well as they move on to better opportunities. do not try and sell us on how great the return on investment will be, as their projections are always skewed and more times than not, outright fabrications of reality, in favor of lining the pockets of the very proponents of the project. average joe business owners are not granted this prestigious free tax money upgrade option for their businesses. there are too many other infrastructural priorities that need financial attention beforehand. additionally, there seems to be no viable location to build a new port seaward of the bridge, that would not drastically damage the ecosystem that is already in place and in some cases, is already stressed by current environmental issues. ruining established and historic beach areas to placate the cruise industry will not be tolerated by rationally clear thinking people. until the skyway actually needs to be replaced, due to age and/or dilapidation, we think the decision should be 'do nothing and only port ships that fit under the bridge', as not all cruise ships will be the colossal monstrosities being discussed here. there will always be smaller cruise ships and tourists that prefer a smaller venue, as opposed to these newer floating cities at sea. the ports of tampa and manatee could well focus on becoming the preferred ports for these smaller ships and market to the tourists that wish to cruise on them. |
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then there's this great idea: change fort desoto into port desoto. remove all that historical, nature, and park nonsense by covering the whole thing with pavement and build a state-of-the-art cruise portal. there would be plenty of expensive easy access parking, room for huge hotels, a mega-shopping complex, 29 screen movieplex, private beaches for guests only, casinos, and all the other tourist trappings that rake in the big money for cruise tycoons and corrupt politicos. sure, there would be a small fenced in area reserved for the 'fort desoto memorial dog park', but let's not get too sentimental. why are we running this stupid website, when brilliant ideas flow from our minds like rain from the sky?~ |
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cruise articles: before 2020 • after 2020 |
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