The Commercial Port is a type of port in Napoleon: Total War.
Description
This port significantly improves your export capacity and increases trade value.
A commercial basin opens up new opportunities for trade, as agents now put together cargoes and charter vessels for merchant ships who would otherwise be unable to trade. This significantly improves not only the town's wealth, but also the entire region's and opens up a number of new sea trade routes that had previously been inaccessible. This commercial advance does have one disadvantage however, the lower classes resent their harsh working conditions and their happiness is affected.
The infamous triangle of trade between Bristol and Liverpool, in England, and Africa was a staggeringly profitable business. Manufactured goods, guns, cloth and trinkets went to Africa, where they were traded to the local warlords. Slaves, carried in horrendous conditions, made up the cargo for the middle run, across the Atlantic. In the Caribbean and America, the survivors were sold, and the ships were loaded with sugar and rum bound for Britain. There was a handsome profit in each stage. The moral foulness of the trade, however, eventually trumped its profitability and, in 1807, the abolitionists finally succeeded in having the slave trade banned throughout the British Empire. Existing slaves, however, were not freed in British territories until 1833.
Effects
Requires Trading Port, 8 turns and 3,600 gold. Can be upgraded into Trading Company.
- -1 happiness from industrialisation (lower classes)
- Improves export capacity (increases trade values)
- +4 trade routes possible (sea)
- +200 to region wealth
- +20 per turn to town wealth in the region
- +1 per turn to town wealth in all your regions
- Recruitment capacity (ship under construction): 1
- Enables recruitment and replenishment of: Merchantmen (Trade Ship), Indiaman (Trade Ship)
Pays for self after 35-47 turns, including build time. This assumes just the taxation of the region with the commercial port, however; the global wealth generation is a powerful benefit, particularly for factions controlling multiple regions. In addition, the additional trade route this building generates can potentially bring in thousands more gold, easily justifying its cost.