TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A company says it aims to “bring additional tourism to West Central Florida” with the construction of a cruise port to accommodate ships that can’t fit under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

SSA Marine, which describes itself as a leader in cruise port development and operations, is working with Tampa-based Slip Knott LLC to explore plans to build the facility in Manatee County on the 328-acre Knott-Cowen tract, according to a website created to promote the project.

If those plans come to fruition, construction is estimated to take three to five years. The company believes construction of the port will create tens of thousands of jobs “in industries directly and indirectly related to the port in the state and region” with billions of dollars of economic impact.

But first, the project must clear hurdles in the zoning and permitting process, including hearings with Manatee County commissioners and the planning commission.

“Throughout this project, we are committed to transparently working through the public process and welcome the opportunity to engage local residents in meaningful dialogue and work collaboratively with the community to ensure this effort reflects West Central Florida’s needs and creates sustained, long-term public benefit,” the website says.

SSA Marine operates four Florida cruise ports, including at the Port of Tampa.