New Rattlesnake Key owner plans cruise terminal development near Skyway Bridge
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.
