Merchant Ship in Ikariam: Overview
Merchant ships are purchased at the Trade Port for Gold. When not in use, they can be deployed from any island – unlike warships, which are tied to a city.
Merchant ships are used for troop and cargo transport. Each merchant ship carries a maximum of 500 goods, but can also be loaded with less, which gives them a speed bonus of up to 66.4%.
Since version 0.3.4, merchant ships no longer increase the overall score and do not participate in combat.
Maximum Number and Cost Development
Each player can purchase a maximum of 180 merchant ships. With each ship purchased, the cost of the next ship increases. The first ship costs 480 Gold, the 160th ship already costs 1,515,160 Gold and the 180th ship costs 2,747,370 Gold.
Since version 0.4.2, there are 20 additional merchant ships (ships 161 to 180). The total cost for all merchant ships is 41,896,608 Gold according to the Wiki.
Example Values for Merchant Ship Costs
| Merchant Ship No. | Cost in Gold |
|---|---|
| 1 | 480 |
| 10 | 4,719 |
| 50 | 45,757 |
| 100 | 246,026 |
| 150 | 1,123,986 |
| 160 | 1,515,160 |
| 170 | 2,040,867 |
| 180 | 2,747,370 |
Phoenician Merchant Ships
Players who have completed the Cultural Exchange research can purchase Phoenician Merchant Ships for Ambrosia. This allows you to acquire up to 40 additional merchant ships.
Unlike regular merchant ships, each additional Phoenician Merchant Ship costs less Ambrosia. The first costs 74 Ambrosia, the last only 16 Ambrosia. In total, you need 1,602 Ambrosia to purchase all Phoenician Merchant Ships.
Example Values for Phoenician Merchant Ships
| Phoenician Merchant Ship No. | Cost in Ambrosia |
|---|---|
| 1 | 74 |
| 5 | 61 |
| 10 | 51 |
| 20 | 36 |
| 30 | 26 |
Transport Capacity and Speed Bonus
Each merchant ship holds a maximum of 500 goods. If a ship is loaded with less than the maximum amount, it can receive a speed bonus of up to 66.4%.
Since merchant ships transport both goods and troops, they are the foundation for any movement between islands – whether for trade, cargo transport or troop deployment.
FAQ on Merchant Ships
How many merchant ships can I own at most?
A maximum of 180 merchant ships can be purchased via the Trade Port. With the Cultural Exchange research, up to 40 Phoenician Merchant Ships can be added.
How many goods does a merchant ship transport?
A merchant ship transports a maximum of 500 goods. With less cargo, it receives a speed bonus of up to 66.4%.
Do merchant ships count towards points or participate in combat?
No. Since version 0.3.4, merchant ships no longer increase the overall score and do not participate in combat.