In the Persistent Universe (PU) of Star Citizen, bulk commodities are indeed represented in the form of large cargo containers, which are closely tied to transport missions, cargo management, and related gameplay

External Representation of Bulk Commodities

In Star Citizen, all bulk commodities are repackaged into Standard Cargo Units (SCU) for transport and stacking management . Each 1 SCU container is approximately a 1.25-meter cube, offering one cubic meter of internal storage space and capable of holding around 100 commodity units  . Containers cannot be mixed—once a box holds one commodity type (e.g., half full of beans), the remaining volume cannot be used for another item . Instead, the system consolidates identical commodities into partially filled containers to optimize space.

Different sizes and tiers of containers are available for larger-scale hauling. Small ships typically rely on 1 SCU boxes stacked internally, while dedicated freighters employ larger containers (2, 8, 16, or 32 SCU) to minimize the number of units handled  . For example, the ARGO RAFT and MISC Hull series are designed to carry 32 SCU containers directly, whereas smaller haulers are restricted to smaller crates due to cargo bay and hardpoint limits.

In addition to size, specialized container types are planned for the future: refrigerated units, biohazard containers, and livestock crates will support perishable goods, medical supplies, or live cargo . These specialized designs integrate refrigeration, reinforced seals, or ventilation while retaining their standardized SCU footprint.

Visually, containers often feature distinctive markings and color schemes, identifying their contents at a glance (e.g., ores, processed food, industrial parts). This enhances cargo management both in warehouses and cargo decks at stations, as well as inside ship holds, where containers must be secured onto cargo lock grids to prevent drifting . On planetary outposts or landing pads, players can interact with containers directly—dragging them with handheld tractor beams or moving them with small vehicles—giving them significant gameplay presence as tangible, physicalized cargo units.

The “Reality” of External Station Cargo Containers

The interactivity of cargo containers has evolved significantly across game versions. In earlier builds, cargo transport was handled primarily through menus, with containers serving as static props. With the Cargo Refactor (beginning around Alpha 3.18), containers became physicalized entities: they can be hand-carried, stacked, dropped, and recovered. Ship destruction now ejects cargo containers into space, where they persist as salvage or loot . In cases of a “soft destruction,” nearly 100% of a ship’s cargo survives intact; even total destruction leaves a chance of containers spilling free.

In space, containers obey Newtonian physics. Unsecured boxes drift weightlessly, continuing their trajectory until acted upon. Players operating tractor beams must consider both container mass and inertia—exceeding power limits prevents movement, and careless acceleration may cause boxes to spin or crash into ships, damaging both cargo and hull. In practice, this makes hauling large containers difficult for a lone player, necessitating larger ship-mounted tractor beams or cooperative assistance.

Collisions, drifting, and restraints are modeled realistically: unsecured containers may slide across a cargo bay during maneuvers , destabilizing ship balance . Sudden decompression can violently expel loose containers into space , simulating explosive decompression physics. To counter these hazards, ships employ cargo grid locks—electromagnetic or mechanical clamps that secure containers in place . Once locked, containers remain stable even under thrust or minor impacts. Unlocking requires power but holding does not, mirroring real-world container restraints.

As a result, containers outside stations behave as fully physical, interactive objects with mass, inertia, and collision, requiring careful handling and proper equipment. This realism heightens immersion while adding logistical challenges, making freight operations a genuine skill-based gameplay loop.

Can All Stations Offload Cargo?

Not all stations are equipped for large-scale container offloading. The determining factors are infrastructure and berth capacity.

• Landing Pads and Hangar Size: The station must provide large enough hangars or pads to accommodate fully loaded freighters. Smaller stations with only light pads cannot service large cargo vessels.
• Freight Elevators and Transfer Systems: Major orbital hubs are outfitted with freight elevators integrated into hangar floors, enabling containers to be lowered directly into storage warehouses. Without such systems, offloading requires manual handling, which is inefficient and unsafe.
• Docking Interfaces: Certain ships (e.g., Hull C and above) are not designed to land planetside at all. They rely on station-mounted docking arms and clamps to secure their extended container racks . Only stations with such infrastructure can facilitate their operations.

Currently, major planetary orbital stations and spaceports provide full container offloading support. These feature Cargo Decks with freight elevators, storage, terminals, and logistics NPCs . At these hubs, unloading is efficient, secure, and integrated with the economy.

By contrast, rest stops and small outposts lack large-scale facilities. They may have only exposed landing pads or small hangars, no freight elevators, and limited warehouse space. Players attempting to unload here must resort to manual methods, which is time-consuming and restricted by the station’s low trade volume.

Future development may expand freight capabilities to more locations, such as outfitting frontier outposts with smaller-scale lifts or introducing personal hangars for storage . Until then, unloading remains tied to station infrastructure: large hubs serve as freight centers, while smaller stops provide only basic services or NPC-mediated transactions.

Can Stations Without Large Containers Still Unload Cargo?

Yes—but with limitations. Stations lacking container facilities fall back on small-scale freight workflows, suitable for packages and light cargo but not bulk freight.
Small Package Delivery: Many missions already require players to move handheld boxes (0.25 SCU or smaller) from ship to terminal . These are placed into drop-off lockers or administrative counters without the need for freight elevators.

• Inventory Terminals: For standard commodities, trade terminals handle unloading abstractly. Players land, sell goods via the terminal, and the system deducts cargo from the ship’s hold without requiring visible offloading. This assumes NPCs or automation manage the transfer behind the scenes.
• Local Inventory Storage: Stations often allow small cargo to be transferred into local inventory, functioning as a pseudo-warehouse. For example, miners can offload ore bags into station storage, then sell them in bulk later.
• Equipment Support: Players can use handheld tractor beams, anti-grav trolleys, or small vehicles (e.g., Mule) to move larger crates from ship to storage areas.

However, this process has drawbacks:

• Efficiency: Unloading box by box is slow and impractical for bulk trade.
• Security Risks: Leaving ships open on exposed pads makes cargo vulnerable to theft or piracy. Cooperative guarding is often required.
• Market Limits: Small outposts accept only limited commodities and quantities. Oversized shipments cannot be fully offloaded or sold.

In short, stations without container support still allow unloading, but only for small cargo volumes and with significant restrictions. While sufficient for missions and limited trade, bulk freight must still be routed through major hubs. In future updates, smaller stations may gain simplified container docking systems, but until then, players must accept reduced efficiency and increased risks when unloading outside freight-equipped hubs .

Cargo Containers and the Economic System

Large cargo containers play a key role in the economic system, directly influencing trade profits, risk management, and market dynamics. Transporting high-volume commodities requires balancing route risk against potential returns, unlike small-scale smuggling or courier jobs. Prices in the economy fluctuate based on supply and demand, and the volume of containers delivered can have a direct impact. Insurance is also expected to cover cargo, reducing financial risk when losses occur . Overall, cargo containers link production and consumption nodes, driving Star Citizen’s dynamic economy .

• Risk vs. Reward in Trade Routes: Major freight routes often cross both secure and high-risk zones. Safer routes are patrolled, lowering pirate activity but also offering smaller margins. Riskier frontier routes, while far more profitable, carry significant danger from pirates and interdictions . A fully-loaded cargo hauler can become a high-value target, making escort contracts and strategic route planning essential. The riskier the route, the higher the reward, but the loss of an entire containerized load can be devastating .
• Price Mechanics and Cargo Volume: Market prices shift with supply and demand. Delivering massive quantities in one trip can destabilize local markets, lowering buy prices. Each trade hub has an inventory cap, with stock levels directly affecting trade prices . Thus, flying in a Hull E and dumping thousands of SCU at once may crash local demand, forcing traders to sell in smaller batches or find new markets. Conversely, supplying scarce goods to an underserved region can yield premium profits. The larger the container load, the greater its impact on market volatility.
• Insurance and Cargo Losses: In the persistent universe, insurance will extend beyond hull replacement to cover cargo . Currently, ship insurance does not include cargo, making freight operations risky—once a ship is destroyed, the majority of cargo is lost, with some spilling into space as physicalized debris. Future cargo insurance will provide compensation, but premiums will eat into profits. Traders will need to weigh the cost of coverage against the potential for catastrophic loss.
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  Supply, Demand, and Dynamic Economy: Star Citizen’s economy is driven by both players and Quanta (AI agents) . Miners extract raw materials, haulers move goods in bulk, and consumers or industries create demand . Containers enable unprecedented shipping volumes, vastly increasing efficiency, but also intensifying market swings. Massive deliveries can flood a market, while destroyed or stolen freight may cause shortages and price spikes. The dynamic economy is designed to adjust missions and prices accordingly, making cargo containers a key driver of trade opportunities and emergent economic gameplay .

 

Cargo Containers and Ship Design

The adoption of large containers has shaped ship design and logistics. Different ships are built with specific cargo grid capacities, limiting which containers they can mount. Some vessels can only carry small boxes, while dedicated freighters are optimized for standardized large containers. This distinction affects both loading efficiency and overall strategy: ships with external mounts can swap containers quickly, while those with enclosed bays require slower manual loading. The Hull series exemplifies this specialization, trading flexibility for sheer hauling capacity.

• Cargo Grid Capacity: Each ship’s cargo grid has strict limits. Small vehicles like the Tumbril STV only fit 1/8 SCU boxes, whereas specialized freighters such as the ARGO RAFT or MISC Hull C/D/E require 32 SCU or larger standardized containers . Mid-tier haulers like the Hull A and B can accommodate mixed sizes, making them versatile. Larger containers, however, can only be mounted on vessels designed for them, and oversized freight cannot be secured without proper hardpoints.
• Loading and Unloading Efficiency: External container mounts dramatically improve efficiency. The ARGO RAFT, for example, carries three 32 SCU containers on external racks, which can be quickly detached and replaced at stations . This swap-and-go method is far faster than moving boxes in and out of enclosed cargo bays. Ships with internal cargo holds, such as the Hercules C2 or Caterpillar, require container-by-container handling, slowing turnaround. Developers have noted that exposed cargo grids will always benefit from faster logistics , making them superior for high-volume, high-frequency trade.
• Hull Series vs. General Freighters: MISC’s Hull line (A through E) is the backbone of humanity’s freight network . These ships are designed exclusively for bulk hauling, with staggering capacity: the Hull E maxes out at 98,304 SCU, dwarfing the Caterpillar’s 576 SCU  . However, the Hull C and above cannot land while fully extended, requiring orbital stations for loading/unloading or support from shuttlecraft. In contrast, Hercules transports can land planetside and load directly but offer far less volume. This tradeoff cements the Hull line as the premier choice for interstellar bulk shipping—optimized for maximum throughput, but dependent on infrastructure and team support.

 

Cargo Containers and the Physicalized Cargo System

With the implementation of physicalized cargo, containers behave as persistent, interactive objects, dramatically changing gameplay. When a ship is destroyed, cargo no longer vanishes; instead, containers spill out as debris that can be salvaged, stolen, or recovered. This realism introduces both risk and opportunity, fostering teamwork, piracy, and salvage operations on a scale never seen before.

• Wreckage and Persistence: Destroyed ships eject a portion of their cargo as persistent containers. These remain in space or on planetary surfaces until salvaged or despawned, and their mass and collision properties can pose hazards . A drifting container might smash into a hull or station if left unchecked. Owners may attempt to recover their lost freight, but salvagers and opportunists can easily beat them to it.
• Loot and Theft by Other Players: Any unclaimed container can be picked up by other players. Pirates can hijack cargo runs and fence stolen goods at black-market terminals . High-value freight, especially in large SCU blocks, naturally attracts predators. Law enforcement systems may eventually mark such thefts as crimes, but in remote space, “finders keepers” often applies.
• Teamwork and Cooperative Hauling: Moving large containers is rarely efficient alone. Loading dozens of 32 SCU containers requires coordination, especially when operating Hull series ships. Tractor beams from multiple players—or even dedicated tug ships like the Argo SRV—become essential to handle the mass. Cooperative gameplay enhances salvage operations as well: organized crews can divide tasks between hauling, scanning, and escorting, making recovery safer and faster.
• Salvage and Black-Market Gameplay: Physicalized containers open the door to full-fledged salvage and smuggling professions. Licensed salvagers can recover abandoned freight for resale, while criminals may deal contraband containers to underground contacts . Future updates may introduce missions targeting specific containers, such as smuggling whole crates of weapons. This creates a spectrum of gameplay—from lawful salvaging to illicit trafficking—centered around the tangible value of cargo containers.

 

Space Stations and Future Expansion

The prevalence of large containers necessitates evolving infrastructure. Space stations already feature Cargo Decks , offering freight elevators and logistics terminals. In the future, modular station design may allow the addition of specialized freight facilities, planetary bases may gain surface-level unloading capability, and NPC cargo contracts will expand to leverage physicalized containers.

• Modular Unloading Facilities: Future station modules may add automated container cranes or external docks, streamlining bulk transfers. Busy hubs might feature expanded freight platforms, while frontier stations retain minimalist designs. If player-owned stations are introduced, cargo modules will likely become essential upgrades, transforming them into logistics hubs.
• Planetary Surface Facilities: Surface installations such as mines, factories, or player outposts may eventually support containerized unloading. Instead of abstract terminals, players might physically offload containers into warehouses or onto ground haulers. Gravity environments increase the risk of mishandling, necessitating specialized machinery and safety procedures.
• NPC Cargo Missions: Current delivery missions mostly involve handheld packages . With container mechanics maturing, NPC contracts are expected to scale up. Haulers may be tasked with transporting full containers from warehouses to orbital stations. Likewise, Quanta-driven AI freighters will move goods, offering escort or piracy opportunities. This evolution will integrate containers into the mission system, expanding freight gameplay beyond simple box delivery.

 

Player Experience and Operational Details

Handling large cargo containers introduces unique challenges and immersive details. From physics risks during transport to customs inspections and mission mechanics, every aspect requires attention and skill. Tractor beam operation in particular demands finesse, as moving a multi-ton container differs drastically from dragging a small crate.

• Inertia and Collision Risks: Containers have significant mass and momentum. Poor tractor beam control can cause them to drift uncontrollably, damaging ships or cargo bays . In zero-G, drifting cargo may continue indefinitely until it collides with something. In gravity, a dropped container can crush ground vehicles or equipment. Smooth, careful handling is essential.
• Contraband and Scanning: When hauling illegal goods, cargo manifests and ship scans become critical. Containers locked into the cargo grid are automatically logged and easily flagged during security scans . To evade detection, smugglers may leave illicit containers unsecured, at the cost of increased in-flight risk. Future gameplay will expand smuggling tools, such as shielded containers or disguises . Even so, being caught results in fines, confiscation, or criminal status.
• Mission Integration: Cargo containers are already appearing in retrieval and salvage contracts, where players must locate and haul target freight. Future missions will scale up, requiring players to load entire ships with multiple large containers . These missions simulate real-world freight contracts, demanding planning, coordination, and proper securing of cargo. Team-based play—such as one pilot and one cargo operator—will become increasingly valuable.
• Tractor Beam Handling: Large containers require careful tractor beam control. Their inertia makes them prone to swinging or spinning if pulled unevenly. Stationary tractor turrets on some ships allow for steadier handling, while dedicated tugs like the Argo SRV can move containers too massive for handheld tools. Mastering the rhythm of push and pull is a skill in itself, rewarding experienced haulers with greater efficiency and safety.