Become a successful bulk commodity trader by chartering vessels, buying low, selling high, and managing contracts effectively. Navigate financial challenges like loans, overdrafts, and dynamic interest rates.
Core Gameplay:
Starting Position: You begin with $0 cash and a mandatory $1,000,000 term loan.
Financial Management:
Term Loan: $1M principal, repaid with fixed $50,000 principal payments monthly, plus interest.
Overdraft: A $200,000 overdraft facility is available if your cash goes negative, at a higher interest rate (Base + 3-5%).
Interest Rates: The base interest rate (starts ~5-8% annually) fluctuates with economic cycles. Your personal rate is this base + a credit spread (0-4%) determined by your credit rating.
Credit Rating: Updated monthly. Based on annual revenue (<$1M: C, $1-5M: B, >$5M: A) and payment history (0 missed: AAA, 1-2: AA, etc.). A-rating gets base rate, B adds +1%, C adds +2-3%.
TC Billing: Time charter costs are billed bi-monthly (15th & last day). Pro-rata logic applies. Late payments incur a 5% penalty and damage your credit rating.
Charter Vessels: Use the "SHIPBROKER" menu. Shorter charters (6 months) have higher daily rates, longer charters (24, 36 months) have discounted rates. Each vessel card has a "Charter This Vessel" button. Charters expire; manage them wisely!
Vessel Speed & Fuel:
Control vessel speed (ECO, NORMAL, MAX) via the Fleet Overview or Fleet Management screen.
ECO speed uses ~70% fuel, NORMAL ~85%, MAX 100% of the vessel's max daily sea consumption.
Voyage times are calculated based on distance (NM) and current speed (knots).
Vessels consume a small amount of fuel daily when idle or during loading/discharging in port.
Trade Commodities:
Use the "TRADE" menu when your vessel is in port.
Buy FOB: Purchase commodities "Free On Board" from origin ports. Add items to a "Trade Recap", then "Confirm All Purchases". Vessel operations lock until all confirmed items are loaded.
Sell CFR: Sell your cargo "Cost and Freight" at destination ports. Confirm sale, then operations lock until discharge.
Supply Contracts (FOB): Accept offers to lift cargo.
Purchase Tenders (CFR): Compete by submitting bids. Award takes 1-3 days.
Port Operations:
Berthing Charges: A one-time fee is charged upon arrival at any port, based on vessel size and port rates. Expired charters may incur emergency fees.
Fuel Management: Buy MGO fuel in port (can be done even if other ops are locked).
Random Events: Be prepared for Bosphorus transit delays, cargo damage (insurance recommended!), port strikes, and storm delays at sea.
Cargo Insurance: Optional protection against random cargo damage events during transit for each parcel.
Crew & Managers: Vessel crew affects loading/unloading efficiency and vessel condition deterioration. Managers are currently aesthetic.
Charter Expiry: Vessels don't disappear. If sailing, they complete their trip and incur fees. If loading/discharging, overtime costs apply. If idle with cargo, it's auctioned. If idle empty, it's returned.