Channels & Berths

Berth draft changes in 2025 not reflected in Ports Guide

Channel Guidelines

Tampa Bay Main Channel

Max Draft of 39'01" +/- tide at any time.

  • Drafts of over 39'01” must be started in at least 4 hours before appropriate tide window.
  • Maximum draft vessels should transit with less than 6 foot seas. If seas are greater than 6 feet, apply formula for increased draft due to heel or proceed at appropriate reduced speed.
  • Any new vessel arrivals that have not previously called the Ports of Tampa Bay with a LOA exceeding 1,050' and Beam exceeding 145' require approval from the Tampa Bay Pilots Association prior submitting a notice of arrival.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge

  • Required minumum clearnce for the Skyway Bridge is 1 meter.  Air draft clearance should be calculated using the PORTS air gap measurement at the time of transit. 
  • If the PORTS air gap sensor is not operational, the maximum air draft is 180' at zero tide. Air draft should be adjusted for plus/minus tide at the time of transit.

Southwest Channel

  • Maximum draft of 14 feet plus tide.

Port Manatee

Draft and Current Restrictions

  • Draft of 37’-06” plus tide to a maximum of 40’-00”.

To or From Sea

  • Less than 30 foot draft; anytime.
  • Draft from 30 to 35 feet; current 0.5 kt or less.
  • Greater than 35 foot draft; slack water.

Shifts to or From the North:

  • Less than 27 foot draft; anytime.
  • Draft from 27 to 34 feet; current 0.5 kt or less.
  • Greater than 34 foot draft; slack water. Vessel Length Restrictions
    • LOA from 700 to 799 feet; 0.5 kt of current or less.
    • LOA 800 and greater; Slack Water for all drafts.
    • Maximum LOA; 900 feet. Vessel Movement Restrictions
      • Maximum two vessel movements per slack water.
      • Only one vessel with draft greater than 36 feet per slack water.
      • LOA over 700’ and draft over 34’ requires 2 class A tugs for turnaround.

Old Port Tampa

Draft Restriction

  • Maximum draft of 30’-09” plus tide to a maximum of 33’00” due to G-Cut / J-cut turn restriction.
  • Maximum 2 moves per tide.

Current Restrictions Outbound

  • Draft of less than 25 feet, current less than 1 kt.
  • Draft 25 feet or greater, head out, current less than 0.5 kt.
  • Draft of 25 feet or greater, head in, slack water.

 Inbound

  • Draft of less than 25 feet; current 1.0 kt or less.
  • Tank vessel with draft less than 25 feet requires current less than 1.0 kt flood or 0.5 kt ebb.
  • Draft of 25 feet or greater; slack water. 1 Class-A tug required.

Vessel Length Restrictions

  • LOA of greatwer than 700’; current less than 0.5 kt. inbound or outbound.
  • Maximum LOA of 750 feet.

Additional Restrictions

  • One way traffic in G-Cut for drafts greater than 27 feet.
  • Maximum combined beam of 196 feet for meeting in Old Tampa Bay.
  • No passing in Old Port Tampa.
  1. A vessel moored at Tampa Bulk will shift as far to the East as neccessary so that a vessel maneuvering to/from Motiva will have adequate clearance for assist tug use.
  2. A vessels will not berth or unberth at Tampa Bulk with a vessel at Motiva.
  3. With a vessel at Chevron, no vessels may pass in or out of Old Port Tampa.
  • No split tides if winds are greater than 20 kts. as measured at Port Tampa PORTS.

Weedon Island

 Draft Restrictions

  • Channel decommissioned. New surveys required before any transits.

Bayboro Harbor includes North Approach

Draft Restriction

  • Maximum draft of 21’-01” plus tide.

Point Pinellas Channel

Draft Restriction

  • Maximum draft of 18’-06” feet plus tide.

Rattlesnake

Draft Restrictions

  • Maximum draft of 12 feet plus tide.
  • Maximum draft of 14 feet plus tide to Misener berth.

Big Bend

  • Maximum Draft of 39’-08” plus tide to max 41' in East/West Entrance Channel and Turning Basin.
  • Maximum Draft of 32’-07” plus tide in North/South Channel.
  • Maximum LOA 750’ in channel.  Vessels between 700'-750' require daylight transit in channel.

East Tampa

  • Maximum draft of 29’-11” plus tide in entrance channel and turning basin.
  • Maximum LOA of 675’.
  • LOA of 650 or greater; daylight transits only for turnarounds.
  • Combination of LOA of phosphate vessel and beam of sulphur vessel not to exceed 650 feet for phos- phate vessel to sail.
  • Lightship (in ballast) wind restriciton of less than 18 knots.

Port Sutton Entrance Channel and Port Sutton to Berth 31

Maximum Draft 40’-07” plus tide.

Maximum draft of 40’-07” plus tide in Port Sutton Turning Basin.

Port Sutton

Maximum Draft of 33’-07” plus tide East of Berth #3.

Two vessel combined maximum beam of 120' for vessels transiting to/from Berth 21, 22 with a vessel moored at Berth 23.

Three vessel combined maximum beam of 212' for vessels transiting to/from Berths 21, 22, 23, with vessels moored at TPS NH3 and/or KMTP WB and Berth 24.

Three vessel combined maximun beam of 282' for vessels transiting to/from Berths 21, 22, 23, 24, KMTP WB, TPS NH3, with vessels moored at KMTP LB or KMTP WB and Berth 26.

Gadsden Anchorage

Draft Restrictions

  • Maximum draft of 27 feet.

Vessel Length Restriction

  • Maximum LOA of 675 feet or up to 685 feet with 1 stand-by tug.

East Bay Channel - Northeast Channel - East Bay Turning Basin to Berth #211

Maximum draft of 39’-10” feet plus tide.

East Bay - Upper Basin Channel

Maximum draft of 35’-08” plus tide to Berth #210.
Maximum draft of 35’-08” plus tide to Berth #209.
Maximum draft of 35’-00” plus tide to Berth #208.

East Bay - Upper Basin Channel North of Berth #208 and Upper Turning Basin

Maximum draft of 33’-02” plus tide.

RO-RO vessel transits wind restricted at 20 knots or greater.

RO-RO vessels greater than 660' LOA transiting north of berth 208 daylight restricted and if turning berths 201 & 202 must be clear.

East Bay Anchorage

Maximum draft 30’-00” plus tide.
Anchorage not for general purpose, contact Tampa Port Authority.

Hillsborough D Cut to Sta 60-00

Maximum draft of 38’-00” plus tide.
One way traffic for vessels with a draft greater than 36’-00”.

Hillsborough D Cut, Sparkman Channel and Ybor Channel

Maximum Draft of 33’-09” plus or minus tide, within 100' right and left of channel centerline.   Survey date 02/2025

Underkeel Clearance Allowances

1 meter clearance in main ship channels.  5% clearance in auxiliary channels.
6” underkeel clearance alongside Petroleum and Hazardous materials berth.
4”underkeel clearance alongside General & Bulk cargo berths.

Example

       42'-6"'                   Minimum ACOE Survey Depth
-      1 meter                     UKC main channel
_______
=     39’-3"                        Max draft plus tide for transit

Facility Guidelines

Last Changes 12/17/2019

HTML Source EditorWord Wrap
Berth Number Name Maximum Draft A/S Date of Last Soundings Berth Length Dock Face Dimensions Notes
TPA #1 Smorgon Steel - Scrap 36’-08” 09/2023 650 530 x 7.5  
TPA #2 Pasco - Liquid Sulphur 33-09” 09/2023 650 500 x 7.5  
TPA #3 Cemex - Cement 34’-09” 09/2023 553 553 x 7.5  
TPA #4 Holcim - Cement 18’-05” 5/1997 550 550 x 7  
  TPS Blackpoint 34’-01” 11/2022 700 500 x 7.5 Soundings good to 300’ West of Chiksan
TPA #5 Scrap Steel 34’-08” 10/2023      
Kinder Morgan Tampaplex Loading Berth - PS Berth 6 34’-10” 04/2024 800 730 x 10  
  Kinder Morgan Tampaplex Waiting Berth - PS Berth 7 34’-05” 04/2024 800 800 x 6  
  Tampa Port Service Ammonia 36’-00” 10/2023 750 315 Soundings good for 360’ East of Chicksan
TPA #21   19’-03” 1/2001 450 200 x 8 Draft for 400’ LOA centered on dock.  Extends 150’ North.
TPA #22 Gulf Sulphur Port Sutton 34’-10” 10/2023 700 254 x 10  
TPA #23 Kinder Morgan Port Sutton 34’-10” 10/2023 900 700 x 12  
TPA #24 Martin Gas 34’-08” 10/2018 715 200 x 8 Fendering not in line.
TPA #24B Central Oil 14’-00” 5/1997 225 120 x 6.3  
TPA #26 Cacciatore Cement 34’-03” 11/2023 800 485 x 11  
TPA #27 Targa - LPG 34’-07” 10/2020 400   400’ LOA with Berth 26. 300’  offset to W.  Center E, 85’ and W 215’
TPA #30 LPG / Aggregates 43’-06” 12/2023 1400 400 x 8.5 4 dolphins.  1000’ Centered on berth.
TPA #31 Cement / Aggregates 43’-10” 12/2023 1000 370 x 8.5 1000’ centered on berth.
TPA #200 International Ship Repair Var        
TPA #201 General Cargo 34’-07” 1/2024 904 904 x 11.5  
TPA #202 General Cargo 34’-08” 1/2024 675 600 x 11.5  
TPA #204 CFI - Phosphate 34’-10” 12/2017 920 920 x 10 Shore wires.
TPA #205 Tampa Juice 34’-01” 10/2023 580 206 x 8.5 Good for 290’ S of Manifold
TPA #206 I.S.R. 26'-05" 1/2020     A/S barge Coastal 24, N part of 206
TPA #208 General Cargo 35’-03” 1/2024 900 900 x 11.5  
TPA #209 General Cargo 33’-00” 10/2023 600 600 x 11.5  
TPA #210 General Cargo 34’-07” 1/2024 600 600 x 11.5  
TPA #211 General Cargo 43’-09” 2/2024 600 600 x 11.5  
TPA #212 General Cargo / Containers 44’-01” 2/2024 750 750 x 11.5  
TPA #213 General Cargo / Containers 43’-05” 11/2020 1450 1290 x 11.5  
TPA #145 Newport - Phosphate 38’-05” 3/2025 1000 555 x 10  
TPA #143 Rockport North - Phosphate 43’-03” 3/2025 1460 1490 x 12 53’ freeboard required for loader.
TPA #142 Rockport South - Phosphate 31’-08” 6/2018
TPA #150 General Cargo 41’-02” 4/2022 1440    
  Shrimp Docks 15’-00” 4/1989      
TPA #219

North

South

39'-01"

43'-02'

 2/2024 1434 400 x 11  
TPA #220 Aggregates, Acid 41’-08” 2/2017 900 480 x 11  Vessels to be docked center of berth upon arrival
TBA #222 Petroleum 47’-07” 04/2024 1,020 270 x 11 Max LOA 750’  Beam 120’
TPA #223 Petroleum  /  Ammonia 40’-11” 02/2024 750 865 x 8  
TPA #227 Petroleum 41’-01” 2/2024 800 270 x 11 Soundings good to 420’ East of manifold center.
DD #4 TSR - Graving Dock 24’-00” 7/1989 740’ x 124’-09” x 28’ Contact Pilot Office for restrictions.
DD #3 TSR - Graving Dock 24’-00” 7/1989 740’ x 110’-03” x 28’
DD #2 TSR - Graving Dock 21’-04” 7/1989 900’ x 150’ x 22’-04”
DD #1 TSR - Graving Dock 17’-00” 7/1989 448’ x 79’ x 20’
Pier D TSR - Lay Berth 25’-04” 4/2013 595 595  
Pier F TSR - Lay Berth 25’-07” 4/2013 675 675  
Pier A TSR - Lay Berth 7’-07” 4/2013 700 700  
  Gulf Sulphur 35’-00” 2/2025 650 305 x 8 Sulphur Enterprise turn off of TSR, Max 24’ fwd, 31’ Aft.  Left wheel only.
TPA #243 BP - Petroleum 31’-09” 1/2018 700 275 x 7 need recert. bollards/fender
TPA #244 Citgo - Petroleum 34’-03” 03/2023 700 240 x 10  
TPA #245 Argos - Aggregates

N 33’-03”
S 33’-05”

 02/2024
04/2024		 1040 1040 x 9  
TPA #247 Tampa Marine Terminal 34’-07” 3/2013 650 575 x 8  
TPA #248 GMR - Layberth See Note 12/2008 830 830 x 5 Max draft 17’ W 400’.  Max
draft 16’-06” E of 400’.
TPA #250 GMR - Layberth 14’ to 25’ 12/2000 700 700 x 5  
TPA #251 Port Ybor South/GMR 28’-04” 4/2016 860 920 x 8 RO-RO ramp height 6.2’
TPA #252 Port Ybor North/GMR 23’-04” 4/2016
  GMR - Shipyard 15’-00” 1/2009 880 880 x 5  
 TPA #254 Marathon Petroleum 36’-03” 2/2025 786 280 x 6 Manifold to GMR 420’ Manifold to Cargill 360’
TPA #256 Cargill - Citrus Pellets 34’-04” 11/2018 700 320 x 10 Fenders not in line.
TPA #257 Mariani Asphalt 34’-00” 1/5/2017 410 250 x 8 Conflict with Buckeye and Cargill.
TPA #258 Buckeye Tampa Petroleum 34’-00” 01/2025 600 310 x 9.5 Good for 300’ N of Manifold. 
  Sahlman Shrimp Docks 15’ to 32’ 1984 360 360 x 6  
  ISR - Shipyard 25’-00” 11/2008 750 600 x 10 Not used until surveyed
  ISR - Layberth 19’-05” 11/2008 600 380 Not used until surveyed
TPA #263 ISR - Metroport - Shipyard 14’ - 19’ W
19’ - 26’ E		 5/2016 700 w/264 575 x 10 Decommisioned - Not in use
TPA #264 ISR - Metroport - Shipyard 10’-17’ N-S 11/2008 350 350 x 10 Decommisioned - Not in use
TPA #265 ISR - Metroport - Shipyard 18’ - 22’ W
21’6”-27 E		 11/2008 750 750 x 10 Decommisioned - Not in use
TPA #266 Cruise Terminal 6 31’-02” 1/2017 275 275 x 10  
TPA #267 Cruise Terminal 6 31’-09” 11/2017 600 1200 x 10  
TPA #268 Cruise Terminal 6 29’-11” 2/2024 700  
TPA #269 Cruise Terminal 3 34’-10” 11/2011 960 1050 x 7.5  
TPA #271 Aquarium - American Victory 31’-03” 3/2000 548 548 x 7.5  
TPA #272 Cruise Terminal 2 34’-07” 9/2013 600 1221 x 7.5  
TPA #273 Cruise Terminal 2 34’-06” 3/2016 621  
  Harbour Island 27’-00” 9/1989 450   Seddon Ch. 18’ plus tide.

East Tampa

Berth Number Name Maximum Draft A/S Date of Last Soundings Berth Length Dock Face Dimensions Notes
  Mosaic - Phosphate Loading 34'-05" 05/2024 675 500 x 8 See channel restrictions under Channel Guidlines
  Mosaic - Sulphur 33'-05"" 05/2024 675 230 x 8  

Big Bend

Berth Number Name Maximum Draft A/S Date of Last Soundings Berth Length Dock Face Dimensions Notes
TPA #400 Mosaic Phosphate West 42’-02” 02/2024 1500 1500 x 10 See channel restrictions under Channel Guidelines.
TPA #401 Mosaic Phosphate East 42'-02" 02/2024
  TECO Coal 34’-04” 04/2024 788 788 x 9.5 Dravo Ht 53.6’ above MLW

TPA #300

TPA #302

Port Redwing

Port Redwing

42’-08”

43'-10"

04/2019

03/2019

1500

1000

500 X 10

1000 X 110

 See channel restrictions

Port Manatee

Berth Number Name Maximum Draft A/S Date of Last Soundings Berth Length Dock Face Dimensions Notes
Berth #4 General Cargo 39’-03” 05/2025 600 600 x 8  
Berth #5 General Cargo 39’-03” 05/2025 600 600 x 8  
Berth #6 General Cargo 38’-10” 05/2025 645 415 x 8  
Berth #7 Phosphate, Petroleum 39'-03” 05/2025 840 724 x 8 Berth 7 -37'-07" if past berth 8 face
Berth #8 General Cargo, Petroleum 39’-05” 05/2025 670 500 x 8
Berth 9 - 39'-00" inside 50' of berth 8 bulkhead

Berth #9 General Cargo, Petroleum 41'-04” 05/2025 808 708 x 8                
Berth #10 General Cargo, Petroleum 39’-05” 05/2025 780 595 x 8
Berth #11 Delmonte - Refrigerated Cargo 32’-01” 05/2025 681 581 x 8
Berth #12 General Cargo 38’-08” 05/2025 1250 950 x 8  
Berth #14 General Cargo 39’-03” 05/2025 790 790 x 8  

St. Petersburg / Bayboro

Berth Number Name Maximum Draft A/S Date of Last Soundings Berth Length Dock Face Dimensions Notes
  Cruise Terminal 21’-02” 1/2018 1500 1500 x 8  
  USF East Wharf 15’-11” 1/2018 970 970 x 8  
  USCG South Wharf 13’-00” 6/2003 1200 1200 x 8  

Weedon Island

Berth Number Name Maximum Draft A/S Date of Last Soundings Berth Length Dock Face Dimensions Notes
Weedon Island
  North Berth See Note 12/2010 675 800 x 8 Facility No Longer in Service as of 2017.  New surveys required.
  South Berth See Note 12/2010 675 1060 x 8
  Barge Berth       800 x 8

Old Port Tampa

Berth Number Name Maximum Draft A/S Date of Last Soundings Berth Length Dock Face Dimensions Notes
  Chevron - Petroleum 31’-01” 7/2017 750 545 x 10  

See channel restrictions for
Old Tampa Bay.
  Motiva - Petroleum  31’-06” 1/2018  750 650 x 8  

See channel restrictions for
Old Tampa Bay.
  Tampa Bulk - Citrus Pellets 31’-09” 1/2017 730 730 x 7  

See channel restrictions for
Old Tampa Bay.

Rattlesnake

Berth Number Name Maximum Draft A/S Date of Last Soundings Berth Length Dock Face Dimensions Notes
  Misener - General Cargo 14’-00” 10/1995 600 600 x 7  
  U.S. Army Covered Dock 10’-00” 3/1994 150 150 x 5  
  Targa - LPG 11’-00” 11/2002 325 325 x 5  
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