SeaPort Manatee, positioned at the entrance to Tampa Bay, is Southwest Florida’s main deepwater port, managing a range of bulk and project cargos. The port is the closest U.S. deepwater cargo facility to the expanded Panama Canal, providing quick access to Mexico and Latin America. It connects to the U.S. highway system and CSX Railroads’ Class I mainline, with daily rail services to the eastern United States.
The port is integral to Southwest Florida’s economy, annually distributing nearly 400 million gallons of fuel to 11 counties, and playing a crucial role for the region’s construction industry by moving substantial quantities of lumber and dry bulk cargo.
As a preferred global gateway for cargo owners and manufacturers, SeaPort Manatee invests in U.S. seaport infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Transportation granted the port $11.95 million in September 2022 to expand the container yard to handle over 350,000 TEUs annually. In November 2024, the USDOT’s Maritime Administration awarded $10,375,000 for engineering and permitting updates to the port’s berths. Additionally, the port plans to modernize and add berths over the next two decades and is exploring the development of cruise, bulk storage, and warehousing facilities.
SeaPort Manatee is a vital economic force in Manatee County, generating $7.3 billion in economic impact and supporting over 42,000 jobs without relying on local property taxes.
