Difference between revisions of "Type A Trader"

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{{Starship nav bar three}}
 
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[[File:Imperial-Sunburst-Yellow-wiki.png|250px|right]]
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The [[Type A Trader]] is a civilian commercial trade ship designed as general purpose, mixed mode, cargo and passenger carriers. Their primary goal is the opening of new markets, so designs emphasize independent operation and without specific logistical support.  
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The [[Type A Trader]] is a civilian commercial trade ship designed as general purpose, mixed mode, cargo and passenger carriers. Their primary goal is the opening of new markets, so designs emphasize independent operation without specific logistical support.
 +
 
 +
There is a [[Type A Trader/summary|summary list]].
  
 
== Description ==  
 
== Description ==  
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They operate with minimal crew, and in some cases under-crewed to maximize profit. There is rarely separation between passenger areas and crew areas. Many designs incorporate [[Low Berth]]s to carry more passengers.  
 
They operate with minimal crew, and in some cases under-crewed to maximize profit. There is rarely separation between passenger areas and crew areas. Many designs incorporate [[Low Berth]]s to carry more passengers.  
  
−
The design is for operation to smaller population worlds, places with poorer [[starport]]s or unknown port status, or unscheduled routes. Most designs incorporate [[Fuel Scoop]]s, [[Fuel Purifiers]] to allow wilderness refueling. Many designs are streamlined with good landing capability assuming the ports lack orbital facilities. Other designs add small craft for carrying passengers and cargo from ship to surface and back again.  
+
The design is for operation to smaller population worlds, places with poorer [[starport]]s or unknown port status, or unscheduled routes. Most designs incorporate [[Fuel Scoop]]s and [[Fuel Purifier]]s to allow wilderness refueling. Many designs are streamlined with good landing capability as they assume the ports lack orbital facilities. Other designs add small craft for carrying passengers and cargo from ship to surface and back again.  
  
 
Designs always incorporate weapons and almost all examples are armed. Rarely are the weapon load-outs consistent between ships. Sensor upgrades are another frequent enhancement.  
 
Designs always incorporate weapons and almost all examples are armed. Rarely are the weapon load-outs consistent between ships. Sensor upgrades are another frequent enhancement.  
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Ships larger than the 500-1000 tons for the traders are design optimized to either [[Type M Liner]]s to carry passengers, [[Type R Freighter]]s to carry cargo, or [[Type T Transports]] for moving other items.  
 
Ships larger than the 500-1000 tons for the traders are design optimized to either [[Type M Liner]]s to carry passengers, [[Type R Freighter]]s to carry cargo, or [[Type T Transports]] for moving other items.  
  
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== Specific Mission Modifiers ==
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"  
 
!colspan="3"| Type A Ship mission classification
 
!colspan="3"| Type A Ship mission classification
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! Example  
 
! Example  
 
|-
 
|-
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| A || Commercial Merchant ||  [[Merchant Vessel]], [[Tramp Vessel]]
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| A || Commercial Merchant ||  [[Merchant Vessel]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
| AA || Armored Merchant || [[Armored Merchant]]
 
| AA || Armored Merchant || [[Armored Merchant]]
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| AC || Commercial Communications || [[Communications Vessel]]
 
| AC || Commercial Communications || [[Communications Vessel]]
 
|-
 
|-
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| AF || Commercial Far Traders || [[Far Trader]], [[Free Trader]]
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| AF || Commercial Far Traders || Far Trader, Free Trader
 
|-
 
|-
 
| AK || Commercial Courier || [[Courier Vessel]]
 
| AK || Commercial Courier || [[Courier Vessel]]
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| AW || Commercial Station || [[Space Station]], [[Trade Station]], [[X-Boat Station]], Far port
 
| AW || Commercial Station || [[Space Station]], [[Trade Station]], [[X-Boat Station]], Far port
 
|}
 
|}
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=== Free Trader ===
 +
''Free Trader'' is the term given to an independent interstellar merchant ship, which plys the space lanes carrying cargo and passengers. These free traders are small and relatively cheap type of merchant ship operating as [[Fledgling Line]]s. Usually, a free trader is a 200-ton vessel capable of Jump-1. This restricts their operation to a [[Main]] or [[Cluster]] of systems.  An example of this type of ship is the standard 200-ton [[Beowulf class Free Trader]].
 +
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The [[Ship Mission Code]] assigned to these ships is ''A'' or ''A1'' based upon the jump drive capability.
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 +
=== Far Trader ===
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''Far Trader'' is a variant designation of a free trader. A far trader has a higher jump capacity than a free trader; usually a Jump-2 capability (twice that of normal). A standard example of this type is the 200-ton [[Empress Marava class Far Trader]].
 +
 +
The [[Ship Mission Code]] assigned to these designs is ''AF'' or ''A2'' based upon the jump drive capability.
 +
 +
=== Deep Trader ===
 +
The ''Deep Trader'' or ''Fast Trader'' is another, rarer, variant of a free trader. Built for areas of low stellar density, jump-3 or jump-4 capable. Since these ships are generally custom-built or produced in low quantities, no standard example exists.
 +
 +
The [[Ship Mission Code]] assigned to these designs is ''A3'' based upon the jump drive capability.
 +
 +
== Related Terms ==
 +
These are terms related to the Trader ship designs and frequently used in conjunction with or as synonyms to "Trader".
 +
 +
=== Tramp Vessel ===
 +
Because Trader ships frequently operate on unstable schedules they are referred to as ''tramp vessels'', ''tramp traders'', ''tramp liners'', or ''tramp freighters'', a vessel that does not run regularly between fixed ports. These ships focus on the speculative cargo trade and as the routes become establish they tend to be supplanted by larger liners and freighters.
 +
 +
Some crews view the term ''tramp'', and its many synonyms and translations, as insulting. The word includes definitions of unreliability and criminality. In cultures where these activities are strongly frowned upon causes friction. Other crews embrace the definitions of freedom from corporate and governmental control.
 +
 +
=== Subsidized Trader ===
 +
The opposite of the above, ''Subsidized'' vessels have been hired by a local world or corporation to make regularly scheduled runs between two or more worlds. The goal is to provide a regular schedule of cargo, passengers, and mail between these worlds. Typically these worlds are low population worlds with poor ports and not considered profitable to normally schedule routes. The patron of these routes guarantees a minimum income regardless of the volume of traffic, hence the subsidiary. Most of these deals allow the ship to engage in speculative trade with the understanding the regular cargo has priority.
 +
 +
== Image Repository ==
 +
# A top down [[schematic]] of a [[Beowulf class Free Trader|''Beowulf'']] with a typical [[shuttle]].  <br> [[File: Free-Trader-T5-Core-Rules-Pg-358 25-July-2018a.jpg]]
 +
# A simple crew[[sophont]] sketch of a [[tail-sitter]] [[Tequila class Free Trader]]. <br> [[File: Tequila-class-Subsidized Trader-THUMB-CT-01b-Leo-Knight 17-Aug-2019c.jpg]]
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# The [[flattened spheroid]] [[Tachyon class Light Trader|''Tachyon'' class Light Trader]], a rarely encountered design. <br> [[File:J-1 100dT Tachyon class Light Trader (updated).jpg|300px]]
 +
# An image of a variant [[Type A class Free Trader]]. <br> [[File: Type A Free Trader Alt.png|300px]]
 +
# An early model [[Beowulf class Free Trader|''Beowulf'']] under [[spaceflight]]. <br> [[File: Free-Trader-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-36 03-July-2018a.jpg|300px]]
 +
# A contemporary trade vessel, a [[Jayhawk class Far Trader]], which is also known as a [[Marava II class Far Trader]]. <br> [[File: Far-Trader-T5-Core-Rules-Pg-358 25-July-2018a.jpg]]
 +
# The venerable [[Wulf class Free Trader|''Wulf'' class Free Trader]]. <br> [[File:J2 200dT Trader.jpg|400px]]
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# The A1 is externally identical to the [[Garu class Far Trader|Early model A2, a Garu]]. <br> [[File: Far-Trader-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-81 03-July-2018a.jpg|300px]]
 +
# A [[Salamander class Far Trader|''Salamander-class'']] coming into a [[starport]] to trade. <br> [[File: Salamander-class-Far-Trader-D20 30-May-2019a.jpg|400px]]
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# A very [[merchant prince]]-customized [[Jayhawk class Far Trader]]. <br> [[File: Jayhawk-class-Pink-Image-Deitrick-Path-of-Tears-Cover 12-Aguust-2019b.jpg]]
 +
# A [[Star class Armored Merchant]] on a trade mission to a potentially hostile [[rich world]]. <br> [[file: Star-Class-CT-RESIZE-High-Passage-3-WH-Keith-FASA-Cover 23-Oct-2019b.jpg|400px]]
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# A [[Type TJ class Merchant]]. The vessel could actually be a misidentified [[Type TI class Merchant]]: The two classes of vessel are externally virtually identical. <br> [[File:Type-TJ-W-H-Keith CT-The-Traveller-Adventure 28-Sept-2019.png|400px]]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
[[Ship Mission Code]]
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{{Ship referral tree with subtypes|name=Trader|tdes=A}}
  
−
{{Ship referral tree with subtypes|name=Trader|tdes=A}}
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'''[[Starship]]:'''
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{{:Referral-Tree-Starship-User-Types}}
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{{:Referral-Tree-Ships-by-Function}}
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

Revision as of 16:42, 24 April 2022

Naval Commercial
Fleet (B) Siege (C) Defense (D) Assault (E) Trader (A) Resources (J) Liner (M) Freighter (R) Explorer (S)
Imperial-Sunburst-Yellow-wiki.png

The Type A Trader is a civilian commercial trade ship designed as general purpose, mixed mode, cargo and passenger carriers. Their primary goal is the opening of new markets, so designs emphasize independent operation without specific logistical support.

There is a summary list.

Description

Trader designs are on the smaller side, generally between 100 and 500 tons, with the largest not exceeding 1000 tons. The construction is on the fine line of least expensive options with maximum capabilities.

They operate with minimal crew, and in some cases under-crewed to maximize profit. There is rarely separation between passenger areas and crew areas. Many designs incorporate Low Berths to carry more passengers.

The design is for operation to smaller population worlds, places with poorer starports or unknown port status, or unscheduled routes. Most designs incorporate Fuel Scoops and Fuel Purifiers to allow wilderness refueling. Many designs are streamlined with good landing capability as they assume the ports lack orbital facilities. Other designs add small craft for carrying passengers and cargo from ship to surface and back again.

Designs always incorporate weapons and almost all examples are armed. Rarely are the weapon load-outs consistent between ships. Sensor upgrades are another frequent enhancement.

Ships larger than the 500-1000 tons for the traders are design optimized to either Type M Liners to carry passengers, Type R Freighters to carry cargo, or Type T Transports for moving other items.

Specific Mission Modifiers

Type A Ship mission classification
Code Master Ship Mission Example
A Commercial Merchant Merchant Vessel
AA Armored Merchant Armored Merchant
AC Commercial Communications Communications Vessel
AF Commercial Far Traders Far Trader, Free Trader
AK Commercial Courier Courier Vessel
AP Commercial passenger Packet Ship
AQ Commercial Mother Ship Colony Ship, Sleeper Ship, Generation Ship
AW Commercial Station Space Station, Trade Station, X-Boat Station, Far port

Free Trader

Free Trader is the term given to an independent interstellar merchant ship, which plys the space lanes carrying cargo and passengers. These free traders are small and relatively cheap type of merchant ship operating as Fledgling Lines. Usually, a free trader is a 200-ton vessel capable of Jump-1. This restricts their operation to a Main or Cluster of systems. An example of this type of ship is the standard 200-ton Beowulf class Free Trader.

The Ship Mission Code assigned to these ships is A or A1 based upon the jump drive capability.

Far Trader

Far Trader is a variant designation of a free trader. A far trader has a higher jump capacity than a free trader; usually a Jump-2 capability (twice that of normal). A standard example of this type is the 200-ton Empress Marava class Far Trader.

The Ship Mission Code assigned to these designs is AF or A2 based upon the jump drive capability.

Deep Trader

The Deep Trader or Fast Trader is another, rarer, variant of a free trader. Built for areas of low stellar density, jump-3 or jump-4 capable. Since these ships are generally custom-built or produced in low quantities, no standard example exists.

The Ship Mission Code assigned to these designs is A3 based upon the jump drive capability.

Related Terms

These are terms related to the Trader ship designs and frequently used in conjunction with or as synonyms to "Trader".

Tramp Vessel

Because Trader ships frequently operate on unstable schedules they are referred to as tramp vessels, tramp traders, tramp liners, or tramp freighters, a vessel that does not run regularly between fixed ports. These ships focus on the speculative cargo trade and as the routes become establish they tend to be supplanted by larger liners and freighters.

Some crews view the term tramp, and its many synonyms and translations, as insulting. The word includes definitions of unreliability and criminality. In cultures where these activities are strongly frowned upon causes friction. Other crews embrace the definitions of freedom from corporate and governmental control.

Subsidized Trader

The opposite of the above, Subsidized vessels have been hired by a local world or corporation to make regularly scheduled runs between two or more worlds. The goal is to provide a regular schedule of cargo, passengers, and mail between these worlds. Typically these worlds are low population worlds with poor ports and not considered profitable to normally schedule routes. The patron of these routes guarantees a minimum income regardless of the volume of traffic, hence the subsidiary. Most of these deals allow the ship to engage in speculative trade with the understanding the regular cargo has priority.

Image Repository

  1. A top down schematic of a Beowulf with a typical shuttle.
    Free-Trader-T5-Core-Rules-Pg-358 25-July-2018a.jpg
  2. A simple crewsophont sketch of a tail-sitter Tequila class Free Trader.
    Tequila-class-Subsidized Trader-THUMB-CT-01b-Leo-Knight 17-Aug-2019c.jpg
  3. The flattened spheroid Tachyon class Light Trader, a rarely encountered design.
    J-1 100dT Tachyon class Light Trader (updated).jpg
  4. An image of a variant Type A class Free Trader.
    Type A Free Trader Alt.png
  5. An early model Beowulf under spaceflight.
    Free-Trader-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-36 03-July-2018a.jpg
  6. A contemporary trade vessel, a Jayhawk class Far Trader, which is also known as a Marava II class Far Trader.
    Far-Trader-T5-Core-Rules-Pg-358 25-July-2018a.jpg
  7. The venerable Wulf class Free Trader.
    J2 200dT Trader.jpg
  8. The A1 is externally identical to the Early model A2, a Garu.
    Far-Trader-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-81 03-July-2018a.jpg
  9. A Salamander-class coming into a starport to trade.
    Salamander-class-Far-Trader-D20 30-May-2019a.jpg
  10. A very merchant prince-customized Jayhawk class Far Trader.
    Jayhawk-class-Pink-Image-Deitrick-Path-of-Tears-Cover 12-Aguust-2019b.jpg
  11. A Star class Armored Merchant on a trade mission to a potentially hostile rich world.
    Star-Class-CT-RESIZE-High-Passage-3-WH-Keith-FASA-Cover 23-Oct-2019b.jpg
  12. A Type TJ class Merchant. The vessel could actually be a misidentified Type TI class Merchant: The two classes of vessel are externally virtually identical.
    Type-TJ-W-H-Keith CT-The-Traveller-Adventure 28-Sept-2019.png

See also

134 Representative Trader (A) Classes

§ == ( Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information: ) == §

Type A Trader

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

P

Q

R


More...

Starship:

References

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
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