Anno 1404 trade routes, local storage and ship cargo
Move the right goods to the right island without draining the source.
Edition covered
Base Anno 1404 (also called Dawn of Discovery). Pictures show the 2020 History Edition. Venice multiplayer, espionage and city-council takeover mechanics are outside these guides.
Set both loading and unloading
A route needs a ship, ordered stops and cargo instructions. Check each stop carefully so the ship loads at the producer island and unloads at the consumer island rather than circling with the wrong cargo.
| Step | Action | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Assign vessel | Choose a cargo ship | Enough hold space for the plan |
| Add stops | Choose source and destination | Correct island order |
| Load goods | Set source cargo instructions | Available stock and local reserve |
| Unload goods | Set destination instructions | Correct item and receiving capacity |
Keep a local construction reserve
An export island still needs materials for repairs and expansion. Avoid shipping away every tool or timber stack when you will need those resources to keep the production island working.
| Symptom | Cause to inspect | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Ship arrives empty | Loading settings or source shortage | Fix the source instruction or production |
| Ship remains full | Unloading or destination storage | Correct the stop and free capacity |
| City runs out between visits | Round-trip time or cargo volume | Increase transport capacity |
| Source cannot build | All materials exported | Retain a local reserve |
Watch the complete round trip
Long routes require enough cargo to cover consumption between visits. Inspect stocks just before the next ship arrives; this reveals shortages that are hidden immediately after unloading.
Protect ships on exposed routes
Diplomacy and hostile ships can interrupt supply. Use safe routes or escorts when needed, and keep a replacement plan for goods essential to population stability.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Publisher game and edition listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Ubisoft original manual | manualmachine.com |
| Goat Farm and milk reference | anno1404.fandom.com |