Trade Routes

A trade route (comprised of two or a maximum of three systems) can be established for systems within no more than 10 months' travel at standard cruise speeds, per the presumed average speed for commercial ships. This average commercial speed is determined by comparing the current Tech Year to the warp propulsion capability tables, and retreating backwards by two nacelle achievements. Therefore, when a nation's warp propulsion technology increases to allow for shorter transit times, the number of eligible systems may increase accordingly.

Example: The current Tech Year is 2282. According to the 23rd Century Nacelles table, the last achievement was made in Tech Year 2281 (with the Mark 7D). Retreating back two achievements would indicate Tech Year 2277's Mark 7B, with a standard warp speed of 7.0, was the commercial average.

When a trade route is established between two (producing) systems, each will enjoy a 5% (base) increase of RPs. When a (maximum) third system is added to the trade route, each of the three will see a 12% (base) increase of RPs. If System A is already trading with System B when a 2nd route that also includes System B is established, then both only benefit with the added 5% of the newly added third system. (Ex: the Andor-Earth-Vulcan trade route provides each system with a 12% RP increase. When the new Earth-Tellar-Vulcan trade route is established, both Earth and Vulcan will receive another 5% increase because of the trade with Tellar, but no more, since they are already trading with each other; Tellar will receive 12%, as it has opened trade with the other two.)

Routes cost 17 RP to build for each month's transit (at the established standard cruise speed), but for each additional month's transit (or portion, there of), the advantage is reduced by 0.5%. Therefore, no route can economically be established beyond the 10-month distance (at least until propulsion technology allows for shorter transit times).

If a trade treaty is signed with another nation, each nation may add one (or more) of the other nation's systems to its network. Usually, at least one planet on each side of the border is established as a Cross-Trade Center. Each cross-trade route costs 25 RP to build, but that may be split between the two nations. Non-aligned systems may route with another system (aligned or not) for 20 RP (again, shared between the participants).

The time to establish the route is 3 months for each month's transit. This represents the frequent stops by the vessel assigned to establish the route by the laying of route buoys. The time may be reduced appropriately when using buoy tenders starting on each side of each leg of the route. The income increase will not start until each leg is completed.

Routes are generally named alphabetically, with each system (or planet) named; ex: Earth-Vulcan or Andor-Denobula-Tellar.