Ships and trade in the Solomani realms

[Murph]

Looking at Atlas of the Imperium, and The Traveller map, it appears that in order to trade in the Solomani realm you need a relatively high jump ship along the lines of J-3/J-4 for some areas. Now based on Traveller rules, you will go broke, and there will be NO trade within about two years since no one can afford to trade. Also the goods will cost massively more to move from world to world.

Anyone else noticed this?

 

[rancke]

Looking at Atlas of the Imperium, and The Traveller map, it appears that in order to trade in the Solomani realm you need a relatively high jump ship along the lines of J-3/J-4 for some areas. Now based on Traveller rules, you will go broke, and there will be NO trade within about two years since no one can afford to trade. Also the goods will cost massively more to move from world to world.

The deduction is simple: the Traveller trade rules do not apply to free traders in the Rim (They don't apply to regular shipping anywhere).

As for the cost, per parsec transport costs for jump-3 is roughly the same as for jump-2 and lower than for jump-1. Jump-4 is about 25% costlier than jump-2 (assuming there is an intermediate world where the jump-2 ship can refuel; otherwise jump-4 becomes cheaper). The exact relative figures depend on which ship design system you believe reflects the "truth" most effectively, but the above are fair ballpark figures.


Hans

 

[Murph]

Ok, I can see that.

The deduction is simple: the Traveller trade rules do not apply to free traders in the Rim (They don't apply to regular shipping anywhere).

As for the cost, per parsec transport costs for jump-3 is roughly the same as for jump-2 and lower than for jump-1. Jump-4 is about 25% costlier than jump-2 (assuming there is an intermediate world where the jump-2 ship can refuel; otherwise jump-4 becomes cheaper). The exact relative figures depend on which ship design system you believe reflects the "truth" most effectively, but the above are fair ballpark figures.


Hans

 

[aramis]

The deduction is simple: the Traveller trade rules do not apply to free traders in the Rim (They don't apply to regular shipping anywhere).

Actually, book rates can make money on J1-J3 runs, so long as the SHIP always does max jump and is a Bk2 design... and yes, I do mean flat, per jump pricing...

The price point of least agitprop is that point where line-ships make much money, and yet tramps squeak by... based upon canonical designs, coupled to a 10 day route schedule per jump vs a tramp's 14 day (due to cargo ready to load on arrival, thanks to a factor locally), that point is right abut book price for J1-J3...

Bk5, you can't make money on J1 until TL 13 PP's come online...

 

[Murph]

Its still not a lot of money.

 

[Condottiere]

My take on it would be that's very entrepreneurial, knowing the markets of the systems of the route you're planning to circuit.

 

[kilemall]

Fast turnaround would be helpful, also per ton per parsec pricing helps as then your tonnage reverts to the same pay ratio for fueling costs, then you are left with hoping your crewing and passengers can make up for the greater capital cost of the bigger plant.

Buying your ships up front instead of financing would help. So would primary runs between large pop worlds.

Also, don't forget subsidized merchants exist for a reason to fill in those gaps private enterprise will leave underserved.

A topic I have not seen addressed here very much, that perhaps in the various empires the Merchant Marine is seen as very much a branch of interstellar service, to stimulate and serve trade that are not viable at times and to be deputized logistics assets in time of war.

 

[Condottiere]

The Solomani have yet to nationalize the Merchant Marine.

 

[kilemall]

The Solomani have yet to nationalize the Merchant Marine.

But isn't that Transstar company kind of a de facto MM?

http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/Transstar

 

[Condottiere]

While you get the feeling of Aeroflot from the description, my take on it would be closer to the Iranian Republican Guard dominating a particular industry.

 

[kilemall]

While you get the feeling of Aeroflot from the description, my take on it would be closer to the Iranian Republican Guard dominating a particular industry.

Fair enough, but Aeroflot and presumably Transstar further the goals of their respective governments, maybe not a formal service like the US MM but close enough for nationalistic goals.

The Party and the People are One!

 

[maksimsmelchak]

But isn't that Transstar company kind of a de facto MM?

http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/Transstar

The early Zhodani corporations have the same feel: nationalized transportation.

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

 

[kilemall]

The early Zhodani corporations have the same feel: nationalized transportation.

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

And, lest we forget, Sharurshid.

 

[Murph]

A government operated monopoly along the High Population trade routes maybe?

But isn't that Transstar company kind of a de facto MM?

http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/Transstar