SeaPort Manatee handled an all-time-high total throughput of 11,855,828 tons of cargo in fiscal 2025, slimly surpassing the prior record of 11,779,601 tons moved in fiscal 2024, while also reporting best-ever levels of liquid and dry bulk activity.
SeaPort Manatee handled an all-time-high total throughput of 11,855,828 tons of cargo in fiscal 2025, slimly surpassing the prior record of 11,779,601 tons moved in fiscal 2024, while also reporting best-ever levels of liquid and dry bulk activity.
Located in Southwest Florida, at the entrance to Tampa Bay, 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 $7.3 billion in annual economic impact while providing for more than 42,000 direct and indirect jobs, all without benefit of local property tax support.
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 Coordinates: 27°38’01 “N 82°33’41*W
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
The M/V Fermland was the first ship to dock at Port Manatee.
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
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
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
Warehouse 6 was built for Del Monte’s facility.
1992
David L. McDonald PPM® named port director.
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
Internationally recognized seagrass transplant project began, resulting in 25 acres of new seagrass meadows in Tampa Bay.
2003
Manbirtee Key transformed into a bird refuge in partnership with Gulfstream Natural Gas System and Audubon of Florida.
2007
The 174,000 square-foot Warehouse 11, Port Manatee’s largest warehouse completed.
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
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
Air Products Port Manatee begins production.
2014
International Trade Hub at Port Manatee was founded.
2014
World Direct Shipping begins cross-Gulf service.
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 $7.3 billion annually in regional economic impact and supports more than 42,000 jobs.
ONE OF FLORIDA’S LARGEST AND FASTEST-GROWING DEEPWATER SEAPORTS.
Located in Southwest Florida, 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 $7.3 billion dollars annually in regional economic impact and supports more than 42,000 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.
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.
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 nearly $7.3 billion in annual economic impact for the local community, while supporting more than 42,000 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
Refrigerators, freezers
Aluminum
Natural Calcium and phosphate
Bananas and plantains
Primary exports include:
Machinery for heating and sterilizing
Wood pulp
Kraft paper and paperboard
Scrap Iron, steel
Paper and paperboard scrap
Location
SeaPort Manatee is conveniently located near the entrance to Tampa Bay in Southwest Florida. 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 140 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.
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 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 five Gottwald mobile harbor cranes capable of handling containers, bulk, breakbulk, heavylift and general cargos at multiple berth locations.
Gottwald crane specifications:
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
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.
Carlos Buqueras With three decades of distinguished Florida port leadership, SeaPort Manatee Executive Director Carlos Buqueras is globally renowned for his visionary achievements in all facets of seaport business development and operations, including containerized, bulk and breakbulk cargos, as well as cruise and ferry industry prominence.
Sheila Ballestros McLean, MBA Ms. Ballestros McLean is the Chief Financial Officer of SeaPort Manatee, responsible for the strategic oversight and operational execution of all financial functions. She ensures fiscal integrity, regulatory compliance, and long-term financial sustainability while supporting the authority’s mission to advance maritime commerce, infrastructure development, and economic growth. smclean@seaportmanatee.com
Senior Director of Business Administration & Finance
Denise Stufflebeam, CPE™ As the Senior Director of Business Administration and Finance, Ms. Stufflebeam manages the daily administration of the port’s accounting and finance functions. She also oversees the information technology department and its operations. She manages the operating, capital and grant project budgets and prepares the annual budget. She coordinates and writes the agendas for the monthly Port Authority meetings and oversees the port’s risk management. dstufflebeam@seaportmanatee.com
David St. Pierre, CPE™ As Senior Director of Public Safety & Security, Mr. St. Pierre is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the port’s security and emergency action plans and manages the daily activities of the SeaPort Manatee security department. dstpierre@seaportmanatee.com
Troy Layton Mr. Layton is responsible for all aspects of the operation and maintenance departments, including facilities, fleet, grounds, vessel traffic, cargo placement, scales, and applicable tlayton@seaportmanatee.com
John Glass, P.E. Mr. Glass is responsible for design and oversight of all construction projects at SeaPort Manatee. He also handles securing environmental permits and ensures compliance with local, state and federal environmental requirements. jglass@seaportmanatee.com
Roxana Santoyo In her dual role as director of business development for SeaPort Manatee and the International Trade Hub at SeaPort Manatee, Ms. Santoyo leads commercial acitivities, driving the port’s role as a regional and global trade gateway. rsantoyo@seaportmanatee.com
Director of Communications & Project Development
Amanda Tyner, MPA, MPE Ms. Tyner oversees planning and project development initiatives that strengthen SeaPort Manatee’s role as the leading trade gateway for Southwest and Central Florida, and leads the development and implementation of its communications and community engagement efforts. atyner@seaportmanatee.com
The Manatee County Port Authority board convenes on a monthly basis, typically during a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Manatee County, in the Patricia M. Glass Commission Chambers on the first floor of the County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. West, Bradenton, Florida, or on the third floor of the Port Manatee Intermodal Center, 1905 Intermodal Circle, Palmetto, Florida. The public is welcome.
A Meeting of the Manatee County Port Authority will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as is practicable, in the third floor of the Port Manatee Intermodal Center, 1905 Intermodal Circle, Palmetto, Florida 34221.
Anyone wishing to attend this meeting who does not have an appropriate SeaPort Manatee identification badge may enter SeaPort Manatee by the north or south gate by displaying photo identification, generally a driver’s license.
Any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact Elisa Goldberg 48 hours in advance of the meeting by telephone (941) 721-2392 or by email at egoldberg@seaportmanatee.com.
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.
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.
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 is 2.5 days sailing time from major seaports of Mexico.
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 five Gottwald mobile harbor cranes 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. 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
Seven 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
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.
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 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.
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)
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.
Navagation
Jobs. Learn about jobs at the Port, by visiting our Jobs webpage.
Procurement. Learn about goods and services the Port is seeking, by visiting our Procurement webpage.
Zone Watch Program. Learn about the Port’s community based watch program, by visiting our Zone Watch Program webpage.
Contact. For more information about community involvement at the Port, please share your information on our Contact webpage.
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.
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 $50 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: $100
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.
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
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: communications@seaportmanatee.com Cell: (941) 722-6621
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.
REGISTRATION
To register for training, please contact David St. Pierre, Senior Director of Public Safety & Security, dstpierre@seaportmanatee.com or (941) 722-6621
TRAINING OPTIONS:
Facility Security Officer (FSO) / 3-day course
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.
Offered quarterly.
Next available course: August 4 – August 6, 2026. Location of training: 1705 Piney Point Road, Palmetto, FL 34221
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.
Offered quarterly. For Military, First Responder, and Law Enforcement Personnel.
Next available course: TBD
Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) & International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) / 4-Hour Seminar
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.
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.
Next available course: TBD
Port Security Personnel Training
For personnel with security duties. This 4-hour Security personnel training meets the professional training requirements for persons filling positions in seaport security outlined in current Coast Guard regulations.
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:
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
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
The 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
SeaPort 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.
If you require any SeaPort Manatee related B-roll, please contact us at communications@seaportmanatee.com and we will be happy to provide footage.
All photos are available to download. Please credit the Manatee County Port Authority when printing or reproducing any of the images. If you have any questions or would like additional photos, please contact the SeaPort Manatee communications department at communications@seaportmanatee.com.
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
Emergency: Always DIAL 911 First. Port Security (941) 722-6455
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 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.
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.
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
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
Anchor House
Local Business Exhibitions
Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s Ship Shape Showcase Event
Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee
Manatee County Fair
Manatee River Rotary Club
Palmetto High School Athletic Boosters
Palmetto Rotary Club
Port Manatee Propeller Club
Speaking Engagements
Trucker Appreciation Event
For information about Port projects and initiatives, or to schedule a site visit to interact with Port staff, please contact the Port’s Community Engagement team.
