How to Play / Running the port
Ships and landing pads
The five ship classes, which pads they need, and what happens when they can't land.
Ships arrive on their own. How many come depends on your reputation, your fees and your capacity (see Reputation and traffic).
Ship classes
| Ship | Pad | Hold | Landing fee | Available from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courier | Light | 500 | 600 | Level 1 |
| Light Hauler | Light | 2,000 | 800 | Level 1 |
| Tanker | Cargo | 8,000 | 1,500 | Level 1 |
| Heavy Freighter | Heavy | 20,000 | 3,000 | Level 3 |
| Bulk Carrier | Heavy | 50,000 | 6,000 | Level 4 |
Bigger ships bring bigger cargoes and bigger deals, but they need bigger pads.
Pads
| Pad | Size | Serves | Unlocked at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Pad | 30 × 30 m | Light ships | Level 1 |
| Cargo Pad | 40 × 40 m | Cargo and light ships | Level 1 |
| Heavy Pad | 60 × 60 m | Every ship | Level 3 |
Turnaround
A ship stays on the pad for at least 90 minutes of game time while its cargo is handled and deals are made. Ships that want repairs stay longer.
When every suitable pad is taken, ships wait in a holding queue. They are patient for about four hours — after that they give up and leave, and your reputation suffers. A Traffic Control Tower makes them more patient and lets more of them queue.
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