SeaPort Manatee

Hurricane Idalia – Updated 8/31/23

Port Condition IV – SeaPort Manatee is open for vessel traffic and shoreside cargo operations.

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SeaPort Manatee garners nearly $12 million federal infrastructure grant
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SeaPort Manatee has been awarded a federal grant of nearly $12 million to advance a 16.56-acre expansion of container yard facilities at the thriving Florida Gulf Coast trade gateway

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SeaPort Manatee’s annual impact surges past $5.1 billion
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With an annual economic impact surpassing $5.1 billion, SeaPort Manatee serves as a ships-to-shelves gateway for Southwest and Central Florida while offering more than 5,000 acres of on-port and adjoining properties for future growth.

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Important Info

Latest News


Enter The Port

All visitors must proceed to the Access Control Center located at the SeaPort Manatee North Gate, 1705 Piney Point Road, Palmetto, FL 34221

About The Port

Located “Where Tampa Bay Meets the Gulf of Mexico,” SeaPort Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the expanded Panama Canal, with 10 40-foot-draft berths serving container, bulk, breakbulk, heavylift, project and general cargo customers. SeaPort Manatee generates more than $5.1 billion in annual economic impact while providing for more than 37,000 direct and indirect jobs, all without benefit of local property tax support.


SeaPort Manatee is one of Florida’s largest and fastest growing ports, handling a variety of cargos.

Bulk

  • Mobile harbor cranes equipped with clam-buckets and grabs
  • 40 feet deep water draft

Break-Bulk

  • Mobile harbor cranes with a lift capacity of 120 tons each, 165 tons combined

Containers

  • Four container spreaders
  • Fast efficient truck turn times
  • Closest US port to the Panama Canal

Project

  • Four mobile harbor cranes, highest tandem lift capacity of any Florida port 

Travel Lanes Map

Map description / instructions here


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History

In 1965, Manatee County bought 357 acres to launch a Barge Port and Industrial Port which was eventually named Port Manatee. That same year, the Florida legislature created the Manatee County Port Authority. Port Manatee’s official dedication ceremony took place on October 29, 1970.

Even before its formal dedication ceremony, Port Manatee received its first vessel call, with 2,000 tons of Korean plywood being offloaded from the 576-foot-long M/V Fermland on Aug. 1, 1970. 

1950

Community leaders looked south from the Piney Point ferry landing in the early 1950s and envisioned a thriving seaport to promote trade and commerce, provide a steady tax base for the community and create new jobs in Manatee County.

1965

Manatee County purchased 357 acres near Piney Point for $900 an acre to launch the Barge Port and Industrial Port, later renamed Port Manatee.

1965

Florida Legislature passes the Manatee County Port Authority Act, officially creating the port and its oversight board.

1970s

Port Manatee primarily served the petroleum and phosphate industries. Petroleum tank farms and fertilizer warehouses dotted the landscape where little else existed.

Aug. 7, 1970

Aug. 7, 1970

The M/V Fermland was the first ship to dock at Port Manatee.

Oct. 29, 1970

Oct. 29, 1970

Official port dedication ceremony.

1971

Port Manatee hosts the largest ship to ever call on Tampa Bay at the time, the 732-foot Zenkoren Maru No. 5 carrying 12,000 tons of potash.

1980s

1980s

Refined petroleum and phosphates are the port’s major commodities. Scrap metal, waste paper and plywood also play key roles in the port’s development.

1980s

1980s

Berth 11 was built on the south side of the port creating opportunities for new tenants at Port Manatee

1980s

Berth 12 provided key services for the reconstruction of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

1983

Eastern Portland Cement Company, owner of four 170-foot silos, begins importing cement at Port Manatee.

1989

Fresh Del Monte Produce begins operations at the port. The Port Manatee terminal becomes its third largest U.S. facility.

1990

Port Manatee awarded Foreign Trade Zone No. 169.

1990s

1990s

Warehouse 6 was built for Del Monte’s facility.

1992

David L. McDonald PPM® named port director.

1993 – 2003

1993 – 2003

Regal Cruises sailed from the cruise terminal at Berth 9.

2001

Construction began on the Gulfstream Natural Gas system pipeline, bringing natural gas through Port Manatee.

2001

2001

Internationally recognized seagrass transplant project began, resulting in 25 acres of new seagrass meadows in Tampa Bay.

2003

2003

Manbirtee Key transformed into a bird refuge in partnership with Gulfstream Natural Gas System and Audubon of Florida.

2007

2007

The 174,000 square-foot Warehouse 11, Port Manatee’s largest warehouse completed.

2007

2007

Gottwald HMK 6407 Mobile Harbor Container Crane made its first pick, opening the door to a new era of container shipping at Port Manatee.

2009

2009

Port Manatee signs strategic alliance with the Panama Canal becoming the 10th U.S. port to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Panama Canal Authority.

2009

The Manatee County Port Authority approves the first phase of the port’s $750 million master plan. The plan calls for a dedicated container terminal on the port’s south side adjacent to the expanded 1,584-foot Berth 12, a second mobile harbor container crane, new cold storage facilities, berth upgrades, land acquisitions and permits for a new container terminal on the port’s north side.

2009

The Port Manatee Encouragement Zone is established to attract major shippers and to entice the relocation of distribution facilities and support industries to a vast green field area neighboring the port.

2010

Second mobile harbor crane added.

2011

Berth 12 welcomes first vessel.

2012

Carlos Buqueras named Port Manatee executive director.

2013

Port Manatee finished construction of the initial 10 acres of the first phase of the South Port Intermodal Terminal, a planned 52-acre containerized cargo and vehicle-handling facility. Also completed is the development of the 40-foot-draft Berth 14, which, combined with the adjacent Berth 12, provides 1600 feet of contiguous berthing area.

2014

2014

Air Products Port Manatee begins production.

2014

2014

International Trade Hub at Port Manatee was founded.

2014

2014

World Direct Shipping begins cross-Gulf service.

2022

2022

SeaPort Manatee is being launched as the forward-looking identity of the Manatee County Port Authority’s dynamic global trade gateway on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Today

SeaPort Manatee adds more than $5.1 billion annually in regional economic impact and supports more than 37,000 jobs.


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About SeaPort Manatee

ONE OF FLORIDA’S LARGEST AND FASTEST-GROWING DEEPWATER SEAPORTS. 

Port-Manatee Crane photo

Located in the eastern Gulf of Mexico at the entrance to Tampa Bay, SeaPort Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the Panama Canal – providing shippers with speedy access to Pacific Rim market

The port and its partners move more than 11 million tons of containerized, breakbulk, bulk, and project cargo each year including fresh produce, forestry products, petroleum products, citrus juice products, fertilizer, steel, aluminum, automobiles, cement, aggregate and more.

SeaPort Manatee is Fresh Del Monte Produce’s third-largest U. S. port facility and is also the Southeast’s leading forestry product importer.

As a leading economic engine, SeaPort Manatee adds more than $5.1 billion dollars annually in regional economic impact and supports more than 37,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Mission Statement

The mission of SeaPort Manatee is to be a powerful catalyst of countywide and regional economic growth and hub of trade-related activity, by developing diversified and competitive deepwater shipping facilities and conducting maritime-related activities in a profitable and environmentally responsible manner.

Adopted with quorum present and voting in regular session on September 22, 2022.


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Governing Board

SeaPort Manatee is a dependent special district created by the Florida Legislature in 1967. The port’s governing body is the seven-member Manatee County Port Authority Board. Members serve four-year staggered terms with annual elections of officers. The authority sets policy and oversees major expenditures for the port.

While the Manatee County Port Authority is comprised of the same seven members as the elected Manatee County Commission – each governing body has a separate set of officers and financial accountability. 

SeaPort Manatee is not considered a unit of Manatee County Government and does not receive ad-valorem tax support from the citizens of Manatee County.


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Port Facts

SeaPort Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the Panama Canal, serving bulk, breakbulk, container, heavy lift, project and general cargo customers. The port generates more than $5.1 billion in annual economic impact for the local community, while supporting more than 37,000 direct and indirect jobs, without the benefit of ad-valorem taxes.

Key Commodities

The more than 11 million tons of cargo moving through SeaPort Manatee each year include a broad range of commodities, representing imports and exports to countries of Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Primary imports include:

  • Fruit and vegetable juices
  • Aluminum 
  • Washing, drying machines
  • Bananas and plantains 
  • Refrigerators, freezers 

Primary exports include:

  • Fertilizer 
  • Wood pulp
  • Paper, paperboard scrap
  • Scrap Iron, steel 
  • Sulfur 

Location

SeaPort Manatee is conveniently located near the entrance to Tampa Bay in west-central Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico. It is regarded as the closest U.S. seaport to the Panama Canal, as well as burgeoning Mexican manufacturing centers.

More than eight million Florida residents live within a two-hour-drive of SeaPort Manatee, and the majority of Florida’s 130 million annual visitors may be found within a three-hour drive.

Excellent Road, Rail Links

SeaPort Manatee offers exceptional highway connections, with 60-mph access to Interstate 75 and Interstate 275, as well as Interstate 4. Trucks leaving SeaPort Manatee reach I-75 and I-275 in as few as four minutes via U.S. Highway 41.

SeaPort Manatee’s short line railroad directly connects to the CSX Corp. mainline, which is less than 1 mile from the port’s north gate. To accommodate customers’ demands, the short line is available to port users on a 24/7 basis. The short line features two modern switcher engines and nearly 7 miles of track, offering a capacity of more than 300 rail cars.

Port-Manatee Railroad image

Facts & Figures

Truck scale operations

SeaPort Manatee’s scale house is available 24 hours a day with advance notice, with regular hours of operation of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Abundant warehouse space

SeaPort Manatee offers more than 1 million square feet of public warehouse and office space, featuring 207,000 square feet of refrigerated space.

Large laydown area

SeaPort Manatee offers approximately 70 acres of laydown area.

40-foot-draft channel

SeaPort Manatee is just 12 miles from the Egmont Key pilot station, including 2.95 miles from the intersection of Cut B with the main Tampa Bay Shipping Channel.

The channel and berthing areas are maintained at the design depth of 40 feet at mean low water.

The channel width at the toe of slope is 400 feet.

The turning basin has a diameter of 1,300 feet, capable of accommodating Panamax vessels.

Ten 40-foot-depth berths

Berths 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 are each maintained at 40-foot design draft at mean low water.

Plentiful refrigerated plugs

SeaPort Manatee offers 624 stationary refrigerated plugs plus 120 portable receptacles, for a total reefer plug capacity of 744.

Multiple cranes

SeaPort Manatee offers four Gottwald mobile harbor cranes capable of handling containers, bulk, breakbulk, heavylift and general cargos at multiple berth locations.

Gottwald crane specifications:

  • Greatest tandem lift capability of any Florida port authority (165 tons)
  • Lift capacity of each crane of 120 tons at 80 feet
  • Reach capability across 13-container width
  • Each able to move as many as 25 containers per hour
  • Hoisting speeds of 66 feet per minute for 100 tons, 132 feet per minute for 45 tons
  • Maximum radius each of 167 feet
  • Height each of 131 feet
  • Height each of 257 feet from ground with boom elevated to 36-foot radius point
  • Eye view from operator’s cab of 85 feet
  • Operational weight each of 460 tons

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Leadership

SeaPort Manatee’s senior management understands the unique features and benefits of the Tampa Bay region’s maritime community and is deeply engaged in the ever-changing world of international trade.

Please click here to view SeaPort Manatee’s organizational chart

Director of Business Development

Mr. Layton is responsible for all aspects of the business development at SeaPort Manatee.
Tlayton@seaportmanatee.com


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Customer Service Staff

SeaPort Manatee’s day-to-day operations are managed by a dedicated team of transportation professionals.

Deputy Director of Business Administration & Finance – Abby Lindecamp

alindecamp@seaportmanatee.com

Deputy Director of Business Development –
Malcolm Edwards

medwards@seaportmanatee.com

Sheila Neal

Finance & Purchasing Manager – Sheila Neal

sneal@seaportmanatee.com


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Planning & Development

Planning – Masterplan

The Manatee County Port Authority approved the latest update of SeaPort Manatee’s $750 million master plan in 2016. It provides a strategic vision and framework for continued diverse growth of the port for the coming decade and beyond while concentrating on generating local, regional, and statewide economic benefits. An electronic copy of the Master Plan is available on the Port Publications webpage.

Planning & Development Photo

Development – Master Development Plan

The Master Development Plan (MDP) approval process was established for manufacturing properties by the State of Florida in 2013. Per these state statutes, a local program was adopted by Manatee County in 2015. Seaport Manatee received approval to utilize this process in June 2022. The approved MDP expires in June 2042.

Development projects built on port property within this timeframe bypass formal site plan review by Manatee County and applicants only need to secure Manatee County building permits and state-level permits for development. The MDP also qualifies future port projects with an expedited state development review process with state-level permitting agencies.

The Port has developed the two following resources to guide development consultants through the MDP process:

Economic Development – Land Use and Zoning Incentives

Manatee County has adopted several unique land use and zoning provisions to encourage economic development in Southwest Florida.
To learn more, please visit our Real Estate webpage.


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Business

Queen B Ship

Tampa Bay’s SeaPort Manatee is undeniably unique. With nearly 5,000 acres of largely undeveloped land just outside the port’s gates, SeaPort Manatee has room to grow. The port offers major incentives to entice the relocation and development of distribution centers within the Florida International Gateway. And, shippers don’t face landside gridlock thanks to fast access to Interstates 75 and 275 and SeaPort Manatee’s own railroad connecting to CSX rail lines. SeaPort Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the Panama Canal and it is a short distance from the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.


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Agenda

Manatee County Port Authority meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of every month at 9 a.m. on the third floor of the SeaPort Manatee Intermodal Center, 1905 Intermodal Circle, Palmetto, FL  34221.  The public is welcome.

2024 Notice of Port Authority Meetings Schedule (PDF)

Next scheduled meeting:

A meeting of the Manatee County Port Authority will be held Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 1:30 pm, or as soon thereafter as is practicable, during a Land Use meeting, in the Patricia M. Glass Commission Chambers on the first floor of the County Administrative Center at 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida

Manatee County Port Authority Agenda March 21, 2024 (PDF)

If you have any questions, please contact Pam Wingo via email at pwingo@seaportmanatee.com or call 941-721-2395.

Any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact Pam Wingo 48 hours in advance of the meeting by telephone (941) 721-2395 or by email at pwingo@seaportmanatee.com

Manatee County Port Authority minutes can be accessed through the Manatee Clerk of Circuit Court


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Cargo

As a diverse global gateway, SeaPort Manatee can handle a variety of bulk, break bulk, containerized and heavy lift project cargos. SeaPort Manatee offers excellent highway connectivity, a congestion free environment as well as on-dock-rail.

Added to support SeaPort Manatee’s cargo mix are four Gottwald mobile harbor cranes and one Liebherr mobile harbor crane capable of handling a variety of commodities at multiple berth locations. These cranes each have a lift capacity of 120 tons at 80 feet and a tandem lift capacity of 165 tons making this the highest tandem lift capacity of any Florida Port. SeaPort Manatee’s 70 acres of laydown area with competitive free time as well as 1200 PSF capacity make it a competitive choice for project cargo.

Bulk

  • Mobile harbor cranes equipped with clam-buckets
  • 40 feet deep water draft
  • Previously handled bulk commodities include liquid petroleum products, citrus juice, dry aggregates, salt, and agricultural products 

Break-Bulk

  • Mobile harbor cranes with a lift capacity of 120 tons each
  • 20 acres intermodal yard
  • Ample laydown area of 70 acres
  • Previously handled breakbulk commodities include used vehicles, steel, aluminum, lumber, plywood, fencing, wood pulp, fruit, and vegetables.

Containers

  • Four container spreaders
  • Fast efficient truck turn times
  • Three mobile harbor cranes can handle 25-30 lifts an hour
  • Closest US port to the Panama Canal
  • Two to three-day transit time to Central American and Mexican ports

Project

  • Five mobile harbor cranes, the highest tandem lift capacity of any Florida port
  • 70 acres ample laydown area

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Finance

Tariff Information

To review current fees and charges for dockage, wharfage and related services at SeaPort Manatee, please click the provided links. 

SeaPort Manatee Tariff No. 3
SeaPort Manatee Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan 12/13/2023 PDF

If you have any questions, please contact:

Denise Stufflebeam
Senior Director of Business Administration and Finance
dstufflebeam@seaportmanatee.com
Tel: (941) 722 6621 ext. 339

Reports & Charts

 Current Manatee County Port Authority Reports and Charts are listed below.

Department of Financial Services
Florida Commission on Ethics


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FTZ

SeaPort Manatee’s Foreign-Trade Zone No. 169 (FTZ No. 169)

With benefits extending throughout an even wider geographical range, SeaPort Manatee’s Foreign-Trade Zone No. 169 (FTZ No. 169) allows many businesses within a 60-mile radius or 90-minute drive of the port to defer, reduce or often eliminate costly U.S. Customs duties on products imported into the United States. 

For more on FTZ No. 169, contact Malcolm Edwards, SeaPort Manatee’s senior manager for trade development, via email at medwards@seaportmanatee.com or by phone at 941-722-6621 ext. 341.


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Procurement

Thank you for your interest in bidding opportunities at SeaPort Manatee. Current Manatee County Port Authority Procurements and other solicitations are posted on DemandStar.com under Agency Name: Manatee County Port Authority.

SeaPort Manatee Procurement Policy

The following procurement has been posted on Demandstar:

ITB-Berth 6 Concrete Repair
The Project consists of the repair of the concrete deck of Berth 6. The Berth is constructed of precast, prestressed hollow core concrete planks with a reinforced concrete overlay slab. The planks are supported by cast-in-place concrete pile caps and piles.

Please see the following procurement:

RFP-Mobile Harbor Crane(s)
Manatee County Port Authority (MCPA) is seeking proposals to provide one Mobile Harbor Crane (Crane) with an option to purchase a second Mobile Harbor Crane suitable for port operations at SeaPort Manatee in Palmetto, Florida, as defined in this Request for Proposal (RFP) document. 

 


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Real Estate

SeaPort Manatee’s property encompasses 1,100 acres inside the fence with more than 5,000 acres of privately owned land ripe for development. 

The port offers more than 1 million square feet of public warehouse and office space featuring 207,000 square feet of refrigerated space.

We have the following lots available for lease – please refer to facility map:

  1. 10 acres, 0.37 mile from the dock 
  2. 6.5 acres, 0.45 mile from the dock 
  3. 26 acres, 0.76 mile from the dock 
  4. 21 acres, 0.22 mile from the dock
  5. 5 acres, 130 feet from the dock 
  6. 21 acres, 520 feet from the dock 
  7. 24 acres, 130 feet from the dock 
  8. 52 acres, 1 mile from the dock, located off port 
  9. 10 acres, 1.7 miles from the dock, located off port
Port-Manatee Facility Map
Click to Enlarge

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY

Click to Enlarge

Multiple initiatives are in place in and around SeaPort Manatee to encourage development by businesses seeking to capitalize upon proximity to the port and its facilities. Both new projects and expansion of existing facilities are supported by these initiatives.

The Florida International Gateway (FIG) is an area within the Florida International Gateway Improvement District which encompasses nearly 5,000 acres of largely undeveloped land adjacent to SeaPort Manatee.

The FIG area features excellent highway and rail connectivity, customized economic development incentives and expedited permitting. No other property within Florida offers more direct, extensive, and beneficial incentives to attract the development of logistically focused manufacturing, processing, warehousing and distribution facilities. With the cooperation of the Manatee County Port Authority, Manatee County government and the State of Florida, land within the district offers an unrivaled array of incentives, effectively leveling the economic development playing field with neighboring states

The Florida International Gateway Improvement District is located on Tampa Bay and is inclusive of SeaPort Manatee, east to Interstate 75, extending from the Manatee County line on the north to Buckeye Road on the south.

The district generates revenues for the port area from tax increment financing. This does not mean taxes are higher, just more of the dollars generated stay focused on this specific area of the county. These dollars are deposited into the SeaPort Manatee Improvement Trust Fund and may be used for a variety of port-related activities in the district

PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ENCOURAGEMENT ZONE

Manatee County has established the Planned Development Encouragement Zone (PDEZ) to facilitate preapproval of a variety of land uses for local property owners. The PDEZ encourages port-compatible development on vacant lands in the vicinity of SeaPort Manatee and provides an entitlement with no expiration date. This makes properties marketable for a wider variety of uses without worry of expiration of entitlements. This district is available to all property owners in the area.

REGIONAL IMPACT EXEMPTION

Lands within 3 miles of SeaPort Manatee are granted automatic exemption from State of Florida Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) Program requirements. This exemption can furnish significant time and cost benefits.

RAPID-RESPONSE PERMITTING

Expedited review of all county permitting related to building and development in the SeaPort Manatee area is provided by the Manatee County Economic Development Team.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE GRANTS

An economic development incentive (EDI) grant program is available to companies creating a minimum of five high-wage jobs. The amount of the grant is customized based upon the number of jobs created and the average annual wage and is paid based on performance over a five-year period.

TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE INCENTIVE

The transportation impact fee incentive provides relief from road impact fees to expanding, new or relocating businesses that create at least five quality jobs meeting standardized criteria within the area of SeaPort Manatee.

ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES

Additional incentives are available through various local and state economic development agencies.

FOREIGN-TRADE ZONE NO. 169

Qualified businesses may benefit from extended privileges provided by SeaPort Manatee’s Foreign-Trade Zone No. 169.


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Security

SeaPort Manatee is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all employees, tenants and visitors.

SeaPort Manatee’s security department is on duty 24/7, operating from its state-of-the industry access control center at the port’s main entrance. Security personnel monitor the port’s more than 1,100 acres from the high-tech center via a sophisticated surveillance system, enabling vehicles to move quickly through the port with a high level of unobtrusive scrutiny. Security personnel also patrol the port’s grounds and monitor waterways using sophisticated surveillance systems and a variety of watercraft.


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Permits/Licenses

TWIC

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential, also known as TWIC®, is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who need access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities/vessels, and others who require a TWIC®.

SeaPort Manatee Security operates a TWIC Enrollment Center under contract with the Transportation Security Administration and its contractor. Information regarding enrollment requirements and to make an appointment for enrollment, please visit https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/twic

SeaPort Manatee Permits and Licenses

To enroll in the port’s access control system, the applicant must:

  • Possess a valid TWIC as required under federal law
  • Demonstrate a verifiable business purpose to enter the port
  • Go to the port’s credentialing office to electronically scan and validate the TWIC. Individuals must know their TWIC pin code to enroll their credential. (Individuals who do not know their pin code must visit the TWIC Enrollment Center to reset the code)
  • Pay the appropriate fee

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Port Access/TWIC

SeaPort Manatee takes Security very seriously. Facilitating the safe and secure movement of cargo and the protection of the port’s critical infrastructure is the highest priority.  Since 9/11 security measures have been dramatically increased.  To ensure a safe and secure environment for all employees and assets, the port has implemented strict access control procedures. The identity and business purpose of all persons entering the port display is verified before access is granted.

SeaPort Manatee is fully compliant with the provisions of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and utilizes the federal Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) as the primary credential to initiate access control. Persons who possess a valid TWIC and are employed by port tenants or licensed operators may apply to enroll their TWIC into the port’s access control system. A $40 enrollment fee will apply.

TEMPORARY ACCESS CREDENTIALS

Individuals not registered into the port’s electronic access control system who are actively engaged in a commercial activity are required to receive a temporary access credential prior to obtaining access. For temporary access, applicants must:

  • Present a valid driver’s license or government issued photo identification card
  • Demonstrate a verifiable business purpose to enter the port. This is accomplished by contacting the individual or business that is vetting access or by verifying tenant-issued load, pick-up or reservation numbers.
  • Individuals not possessing a valid TWIC must be escorted or monitored at all times while on the port Security and escort fees apply as follows:
    Port Escort Service for Non-TWIC Holders: $80

VISITOR PASSES

Visitors not registered into the port’s electronic access control system who are not actively engaged in a commercial activity who require access to the administrative offices of the port or its tenant operators must receive a visitor pass prior to entering the port.

  • Present a valid driver’s license or government issued photo identification card.
  • Be listed as a visitor by a port or tenant employee authorized to receive visitors.
  • Individuals will require monitoring as outlined in rule 411 at no cost.

For more information on SeaPort Manatee’s visitor and temporary Access policies and pricing, contact the Security Department at (941) 722-6455.


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Security Training

SeaPort Manatee offers a host of security training courses and is the country’s only seaport approved by the U.S. Coast Guard to teach Facility Security Officer (FSO) training. The port offers a number of facility security training courses that comply with all International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.

These modular courses were developed to meet the training requirements outlined in 33 CFR 205, 210 and 215.

Email David St. Pierre for more details at dstpierre@seaportmanatee.com

Port-Manatee Security class Photo

THERE ARE FIVE OPTIONS:

FACILITY SECURITY OFFICER (FSO) (3-DAY, OFFERED QUARTERLY)

The FSO Certification course has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and fully meets the training requirements outlined in the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code section B 18.1 and the implementation regulations of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 105 — fully complying with U.S. Coast Guard training requirements.

MTSA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS (2-DAY, OFFERED QUARTERLY)

MARITIME SECURITY FOR MILITARY, FIRST RESPONDER, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL

This 16 hour program is intended for law enforcement personnel who perform Port Security duties and was developed to meet the training standards published by the U.S. Maritime Administration, meets the requirements of 33 CRF 105.210 and ISPS Code B 18.2 and is specifically tailored for response personnel. A certificate will be issued to attest to the completion of the training.

MTSA SECURITY AWARENESS (HALF-DAY, MORNINGS ONLY)

MTSA/ISPS FAMILIARIZATION FOR FACILITY PERSONNEL TRAINING

The MTSA/ISPS Familiarization module was developed to meet the professional training requirements outlined in 33CFR 105.215. This 4-hour seminar provides a basic understanding of the regulations, crime prevention and how facility personnel support security operations at the facility. The session is a pre-requisite for security personnel training. A certificate will be issued to all individuals completing this course.

MTSA SECURITY PLAN AUDITING (FULL-DAY, IN-DEPTH TRAINING ON THE AUDITING PROCESS)

This 8 -hour course was created to provide information on the requirements and process of auditing Facility Security Plans as required under MTSA regulations. This course supplements the Facility Security Officer course by providing in-depth training specifically on the auditing process.

PORT SECURITY PERSONNEL (PERSONNEL WITH SECURITY DUTIES) TRAINING

This 4-hour Security personnel training meets the professional training requirements for persons filling positions in seaport security outlined in current Coast Guard regulations.

REGISTRATION

To register for training, please contact David St. Pierre, Director of Public Safety and Security, dstpierre@seaportmanatee.com or (941) 722-6621


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Zone Watch Program

SeaPort  Manatee Zone Watch Image

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Manatee County Port Authority have entered into a cooperative agreement to establish a community based watch program to assist in the enforcement and implementation of a security zone on and around a dredge material island near SeaPort Manatee known as Manbirtee Key.

The Manbirtee Key Security Zone became effective Jan. 1, 2008. Under federal regulations, commercial and recreational boaters desiring to enter the zone must first gain permission from the Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

This community watch program was designed to provide a mechanism for boaters to be granted access while maintaining the desired level of security in the area concerned.


PROGRAM APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO:

  • Complete the required Zone Watch application. (A government issued photo identification card will be required to establish identity.)
  • Submit to background screening. Possession of the following credentials is accepted as proof of meeting the background screening requirements:
  • Certified Law Enforcement Credentials
  • Certified Fire Fighter Credentials
  • Transportation Workers Identification Credentials (TWIC)
  • TSA Known Traveler Number – Number must be provided for authentication using the TSA Website.
  • Florida Concealed Carry Permit.

Individuals not meeting any of the above criteria, must obtain a background screening at their own expense. This can be accomplished by:

Applying for a Known Traveler Number (KTN), using the TSA Pre Check Program. To find enrollment locations and to make an appointment visit https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/

Request a certified copy (not Instant Search) of applicant’s criminal history from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) website: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records/Record-Check using the certified search tab. The applicant must provide the notarized copy provided by the FDLE.

Applicants must bring their application and any of the above listed accepted proof of background screening to the SeaPort Manatee Access Control Center at 1705 Piney Point Road, Palmetto, FL 34221, weekdays from 8 am thru 4 pm. Applicants will be charged a $50.00 fee to register in the required training. Applicants will be provided the training date at the time of registration.

Applicants become active Zone Watch Participants and issued program credentials upon completion of the required training.

If you have any questions, please contact SeaPort Manatee Security at 941-722-6621

Zone Watch application


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Community

SeaPort Manatee supports and serves its community in a variety of ways – working on local projects and offering various public outreach programs to educate people about the port.


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Environment

The Manatee County Port Authority is committed to enhancing Tampa Bay’s pristine ecosystem while reducing its environmental footprint. With more than $16 million invested in environmental projects since 2000, SeaPort Manatee and its partners are dedicated to protecting the natural environment in and around the port’s rural setting. 

SeaPort Manatee meets and exceeds federal and state environmental mandates and holds all tenants and users to such high standards through requirements in SeaPort Manatee tariff documents.

Drawing from a donor bed of 5.33 acres lying in the path of proposed expansion dredging, 25 acres of new seagrass meadows now flourish in Tampa Bay waters adjacent to SeaPort Manatee. Beginning in 2001, scientists carefully transplanted the seagrass to locations scarred by years of propeller driven recreational boats traversing shallow bay waters. With a 400-acre environmental management area in place to protect the habitat from further scarring, seagrass now grows unimpeded.

For the previous 30 years, seagrass transplantation was largely considered experimental, meeting with varying degrees of success around the world. The project’s size and overwhelming success attracted global attention and earned several honors, including the 2006 Gulf Guardian Award from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program. The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) also selected the project as the Western Hemisphere’s top environmental program in 2006.

MANBIRTEE KEY BIRD SANCTUARY

MANBIRTEE KEY BIRD SANCTUARYThe 60-acre, man-made island, known as Manbirtee Key, is the result of SeaPort Manatee’s original dredging project in the 1960s. The port partnered with Gulfstream Natural Gas System and Audubon of Florida in a multi-million dollar project converting the spoil island to a thriving bird sanctuary. Manbirtee Key has attracted more than 120 species of birds since its restoration in 2003 and the number of nesting species are on the rise.

The island was constructed to suit a wide range of nesting and feeding habitats. Invasive plant species, overgrown vegetation and predators (such as raccoons, possums and snakes) were removed from the island.

Due to the low disturbance level and distance to predators from the mainland, even threatened species are making a comeback to the island.

The name Manbirtee Key comes from the winning entry in a local “Name the Island” contest for elementary school children. The name is a combination of the words man, bird and manatee.

 

SUPPORTING CLEANER TAMPA BAY WATERS THROUGH UNIQUE CLAM RESTORATION PROJECT

UNIQUE CLAM RESTORATION PROJECTSeaPort Manatee is partnering with Eckerd College, the Gulf Shellfish Institute and Manatee County-based Bay Shellfish Co. in a clam restoration endeavor, which is bringing about clearer waters and, in turn, helping many native species to thrive. This unique program involves placement of 600,000 juvenile clams off SeaPort Manatee. The native-species clams naturally filter nitrogen, phosphorous and chlorophyll-a from bay waters while feeding on phytoplankton, providing innate fertilizer for indigenous seagrasses and supporting a full range of local marine species.

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan

SeaPort Manatee Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan 12/13/2023 (PDF)


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Speakers

SeaPort Manatee staff members are available to speak to community groups on a variety of topics including the port’s current and future projects, regional economic impact and more.

To request a speaker for your group, please contact the communications department at (941) 722 6621 or communications@seaportmanatee.com


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Newsroom

SeaPort Manatee is committed to providing timely, accurate information to the public. Here you can find news releases, publications, photo and video galleries.

For media inquiries please contact:
Virginia Zimmermann
Director of Communications and Public Relations
vzimmermann@seaportmanatee.com
Cell: (941) 932 – 1006


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Port Publications

Download 2023 Directory

SeaPort Manatee publishes an annual directory that includes port facts and figures, recent and future developments and serves as a marketing platform for the port’s business partners

The Manatee County Port Authority approved the latest update of SeaPort Manatee’s $750 million master plan in 2016. It provides a strategic vision and framework for continued diverse growth of the port for the coming decade and beyond while concentrating on generating local, regional, and statewide economic benefits.

Download 2023 SeaPort Manatee Trade Numbers

The 2023 Trade Numbers brochure includes port facts and figures on the latest trading partners and growth impact on Central and Southwest Florida.

Download Master Plan Update 2022

The SeaPort Manatee Master Plan Update provides the roadmap to deliver up to 20 million tons of annual operating capacity through targeted strategic investments, enable continued growth across all existing port business lines, position the port to respond to new and unique market opportunities, and further cement SeaPort Manatee’s role as Southwest Florida’s Gateway. 


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Contact

If you have questions or comments about SeaPort Manatee, contact our administration office at (941) 722-6621 and a staff member will assist in directing your call. You may also contact us through our online Feedback form.

Electronic mail sent to and from SeaPort Manatee may be subject to the Public Records Act and may be released as part of a public records request.

    Main Phone:
    (941) 722-6621

    Access Control Center:
    (941) 722 6455

    Hours of Operation:
    24 hours a day to accommodate customer needs

    Business Office Hours:
    8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, Eastern Standard Time
    Inquiries: info@seaportmanatee.com

    Emergency:
    Always DIAL 911 First. Port Security (941) 722-6455

    Media:
    communications@seaportmanatee.com, (941) 722 6621


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    Port Access

    SeaPort Manatee is a restricted access area regulated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Persons entering SeaPort Manatee are subject to security screening and must be guests of a specific port business, tenants, or agencies or be conducting verifiable port-specific business. All individuals requiring unescorted access must possess a valid Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC). Individuals not possessing a valid TWIC are subject to the port’s USCG-approved escorting requirements.

    Media Guide:
    To visit the port, media representatives must contact the port’s communications department at (941) 932 1006 or communications@seaportmanatee.com to make arrangements and receive instructions. Media representatives receiving access to the port will be issued a visitor badge and escorted by an individual with access to the restricted area. Access to the port is contingent upon current operating conditions to ensure the safety of visitors.

    Visitors to SeaPort Manatee must proceed to the Access Control Center located at the SeaPort Manatee North Gate Entrance.

    SeaPort Manatee North Gate
    Access Control Center

    1705 Piney Point Rd
    Palmetto, FL 34221 U.S.A.
    Phone: 941-722-6455
    Map

    Business and Finance
    Administration Building

    300 Tampa Bay Way, Suite 1
    Palmetto, FL 34221 U.S.A.
    Phone: 941-722-6621
    Map

    Seaport Security
    Access Control Center

    1705 Piney Point Rd
    Palmetto, FL 34221 U.S.A.
    Phone: 941-722-6455
    Map

    Scale House
    1715 Piney Point Road
    Palmetto, FL 34221 U.S.A.
    Phone: 941-721-2320
    Map

    Operations and Maintenance
    13340 Reeder Road
    Palmetto, FL 34221 U.S.A.
    Phone: 941-722-6621
    Map


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    Community Involvement

    Ship Shape Showcase 2022

    SeaPort Manatee is committed to staying connected with the local community and keeping the public informed about the port’s operations. Port supported events and organizations include

    • Port Manatee Propeller Club
    • Anchor House
    • Trucker Appreciation Event
    • Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s Ship Shape Showcase Event
    • Manatee County Fair 
    • Manatee River Rotary Club
    • Palmetto Rotary Club
    • Palmetto High School Athletic Boosters
    • Local Business Exhibitions
    • Speaking Engagements

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    Request for Berth

      Click here to download a PDF version.

      Vessel Information


      Cargo Information

      Custom’s InspectionsCoast Guard Inspections

      Vessel will:
      Load CheckDischarge Check

      Will vessel receive (check one):
      StoresBunker

      Will vessel request water (check one):
      YesNo

      Will vessel change crew (check one):
      YesNo


      Agent Information


      Billing Information (fill in the responsible party)


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