• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Members of Florida's congressional delegation introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives to strengthen protections for ports against unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) flights, commonly referred to as drones.
H.R.9299, the Seaport Security Act of 2026, establishes a framework to help ports deter and respond to unsafe or malicious drone flights while preserving authorized commercial, governmental and emergency UAS operations.
Under the legislation, controlled or restricted low-altitude airspace (under 400 feet) will be established over critical seaport areas, while enhanced UAS detection and mitigation capabilities will be coordinated through the Federal Aviation Administration and US Department of Homeland Security.
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Jimmy Patronis (northwest Florida) with Rep. Mike Haridopolos (central east coast Florida) as cosponsor, was hailed by cruise ports including Port Canaveral, JAXPORT and Port of Palm Beach.
Patronis said growing drone threats in Florida and across the country are exposing "dangerous gaps" in the ability to protect vital port infrastructure" and "This commonsense legislation gives authorities the tools they need to detect and deter rogue drone activity."
Current rederal authorities governing drone activity around maritime facilities are fragmented and do not provide ports with a clear, uniform framework to address unauthorized UAS operations.
H.R.9299 would give ports the "tools they need to detect, deter and respond to unauthorized drone activity while ensuring legitimate commercial and emergency operations can continue safely," Haridopolos added.
At Port Canaveral alone, more than 500 drone incursions were recorded in 2025, including unauthorized flights over nationally strategic aerospace and military operations and cruise terminals serving up to 60,000 passengers daily.
"Thousands of cruise passengers, millions of tons of high value cargo, energy supplies, aerospace recoveries and military cargos are regularly moving in and out of our port. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Congressmen Haridopolos and Patronis to support not just Florida's seaports, but all US seaports that are important to our nation's maritime transportation system," said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.
"We join our fellow seaports in supporting a coordinated federal framework that provides ports with the tools and authorities needed to address evolving drone threats while ensuring the safe and efficient movement of cargo, military assets and passengers," JAXPORT CEO Eric Green said.
"As one of the leading states in the nation for seaports, the Florida Ports Council recognizes the importance of addressing the unauthorized drone activity in the maritime industry," said Florida Ports Council Chairman and Port of Palm Beach Executive Director Michael Meekins. "Our ports need clear federal authority and coordinated tools to detect and respond to unauthorized drone activities."
