Port Tampa Bay has secured $10 million in federal funding to advance the Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Project. The project will deepen the port’s shipping channel and expand cargo-handling capacity.
The project will deepen the channel from 43 feet to 47 feet along a 42-mile stretch. The upgrade will allow the port to accommodate larger vessels and improve navigation safety. It represents the largest infrastructure initiative in the port’s history.
The funding includes $3 million from Fiscal Year 2026 community project funding for planning, engineering, and design. An additional $7 million comes from general-use funding through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These funds will support Phase 1 project development activities. The project received congressional authorization in late 2024. Construction is expected to begin as early as 2027.
The improvements will enhance access to global shipping routes and increase cargo throughput. The project will also strengthen supply chain reliability across Florida. It will support freight movement along the I-4 corridor and connections to international trade routes, including the Panama Canal.