Key Aspects:
- A fill project has begun in the land redevelopment that will become the fourth cruise terminal at Port Tampa Bay.
- The project is taking place at the old Banana Docks site and includes more than five acres of land.
- Foundation development should be complete by late 2026 and the new cruise terminal is expected to open in 2029.
The east coast of Florida may get more attention from cruisers, but the west coast is going to make headlines as Port Tampa Bay begins development of what will become its fourth cruise terminal.
Filling operations have now begun at the Metroport, previously home to the iconic Banana Docks, which will provide the foundation for the new terminal. More than five acres of land must be restored at the site and stormwater infrastructure must be relocated to ensure the viability of the space.
This initial preparation is expected to be completed in late 2026, though exact timing may vary as the project progresses. Any severe weather impacts could also cause delays as is common with construction projects.
Once the filling is complete, a settlement period will ensure stability of the site before vertical construction on the terminal and parking facilities begins.
This will be the first new cruise terminal to be built at Port Tampa Bay in more than 25 years. While terminals have been updated over the years, it is likely the new terminal will feature even more updates and high-tech options to support more modern vessels.
“This project is about much more than adding another cruise terminal. It’s an investment in the future of Port Tampa Bay and the economy of West Central Florida,” said Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay President and CEO.
“As cruise demand continues to grow, this terminal will strengthen our ability to serve existing cruise partners, attract new opportunities and support jobs, tourism and business throughout the region.”
The former Metroport site is at the north end of Ybor Channel and was where shipments of bananas were unloaded in the mid-1900s. While the tropical treat is no longer unloaded at the site, the area is fondly remembered by residents who hope the history will be remembered in the new terminal’s design.
The beginning of the physical development of the new terminal is welcome news, particularly after a proposed plan to build a new cruise port in Manatee County south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was blocked.
What We Know About the New Terminal
While so specific design details about the new terminal have yet been confirmed, HDR and BEA Architects are partnering to design the new terminal and adjacent parking facilities. Initial renderings of the completed project have not yet been released.
BEA Architects has also worked on multiple cruise terminals in Miami as well as the dedicated Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Canaveral and Barcelona’s Cruise Terminal B.
The new Port Tampa Bay terminal will be the fourth cruise terminal for the port and is expected to be completed in 2029. At this early juncture, no information has been released about which cruise lines or ships may use the facility.
Cruise Hive previously reported that the new terminal is part of overall port development plans that will include new cargo berths, warehouses, channel deepening, and other projects that will also support additional cruise ships.
More than 200 additional annual ship calls will be able to be accommodated at the new terminal. This could increase Port Tampa Bay’s operational capacity to more than two million passengers annually.
It is expected that the new terminal will generate an estimated $100 million in economic impact to the region, including direct jobs as well as services for the facility.
