Ile-de-France Shipping

This is an NPC faction. For the affiliated player faction, see Ile-de-France Shipping (player faction). For the rules for this particular faction, see Ile-de-France Shipping ID.

Ile-de-France Shipping
Origin	Kingdom of Gallia
Alignment	Corporation
Profile
Date of founding	585 A.S.
Founder(s)	Francois Pomeroy
Base of operations	Sarcelles Shipping Facility
Primary role
Cargo shipping
Secondary role
Assist the Crown in any way possible

Ile-de-France Shipping S.A. (IDF Shipping) is the primary space shipping company in Gallia space.

Overview

Ile-de-France Shipping S.A. (IDF Shipping) was founded in 501 AGS (585 A.S.) and is currently the leading shipping company Gallia, occupying over 55 percent of the civilian space transportation market. The Crown has a significant stake in IDF operations with a stock share of over 40 percent. The government prefers not to interfere in IDF operations unless it's necessary, but the situation has been changing since the start of the Second Gallic War when government representatives on the board of IDF started to lobby for increased participation of IDF with supplying the Gallic Royal Navy. Today, the company's ships are frequently seen providing supplies for the rear outposts of the Sirius invasion fleet.

Ile-de-France Shipping was founded less than two years after Solar, but the companies are in no way related to each other. The only similarity is that both companies started operating in a complicated period of the First Gallic War, when the old shipping companies withdrew from the war zone and the government desperately needed new shippers to take their place. Unlike Solar, IDF chose the path of close cooperation with the Crown, which gave the company a huge head start. After the war, IDF started purchasing assets of competing companies and was able to organize several aggressive takeovers. However, IDF never achieved a near-monopolistic status within the space transportation market, unlike GMS who were able to almost completely monopolize space mining.

IDF Shipping is known to be one of the closest partners of EFL Oil and Machinery. IDF extensively participated in building the system of Gallic jump gates and trade lanes. Constructing the rapid space transportation systems was undertaken by EFL using technology borrowed from Sirius nations by the Junkers. IDF participated in the construction works and provided transport for huge lane and gate parts that EFL developed and built in its shipyards.

The land headquarters of IDF are located at Planet New Paris, and Sarcelles Shipping Facility is considered the space headquarters of the company.

History

Founding

Île-de-France Shipping S.A. (IDF Shipping) was founded in 501 AGS (585 A.S.) by Francois Pomeroy, who thought Gallia needed a shipping company that was absolutely loyal to the Crown, instead of just another money hungry company like many others at that time. It started as a one man business, Francois, and his Aurochs freighter, the “Île-de-France”. He had some small private contracts within the Core Worlds, enough to feed his family. The company really started after Francois received an urgent charter into the active war zone of the First Gallic War. Most of the companies active at that time did not want to risk operating in such an environment. Being one of the few people available to operate there, Francois took his chance and accepted the assignment. The Crown was very pleased with his performance, so he got a permanent contract, in exchange for a significant stock share. This allowed him to expand his business giving him a huge head start with support from the Crown. Only several months after his first assignment, he raised enough funds for the first large transport, the ME-UH "Vache" Gallic Train named “Parisienne”. After the war, IDF started purchasing assets of competing companies and was able to organize several aggressive takeovers. Starting with the smaller companies, slowly gaining market share, but quickly expanding the fleet.

Second Gallic War

The government prefers not to interfere in IDF operations unless it's absolutely necessary, but the situation has been changing since the start of the Second Gallic War when government representatives on the board of IDF started to lobby for increased participation of IDF with supplying the Navy. The Board quickly decided that if the Crown needed their help, IDF would be more then willing to provide it. That lead to a big increase in Border World activity, providing supplies for the rear outposts of the Sirius invasion fleet. IDF was able to stay out of the conflict between the Council and the Royal Navy. Because employees of IDF are civilians, they are not targeted by Council attacks. Both sides are far from friendly, but encounters seldom lead to an engagement. After the King opened the borders for trade, IDF immediately organized small scale scouting missions for potential new markets. Richard Pinault was made Director of External Commerce, managing everything that had to do with Sirius. He established trade relations with Kusari, the first House they visited.

Present

IDF Shipping is currently the leading shipping company in the Gallic space, occupying over 55 percent of the civilian space transportation market. The Crown has a significant stake in IDF operations with a stock share of over 40 percent. IDF Shipping is known to be one of the closest partners of EFL Oil and Machinery. IDF extensively participated in building the system of Gallic jump gates and trade lanes and continues to do so to ensure a good infrastructure. Constructing the rapid space transportation systems was undertaken by EFL using technology “borrowed” from Sirius nations by the Junkers. IDF participated in the construction works and provided transport for huge lane and gate parts that EFL developed and built in its shipyards. IDF doesn’t own any bases in the Border Worlds, which is why they have a number of offices on almost all EFL stations. The land headquarters of IDF are located at New Paris, and Sarcelles Shipping Facility is considered the space headquarters of the company. Because communication with the Core Worlds isn’t always possible, and because it is impossible to travel between the core and border, IDF purchased a big office on Planet Nevers, functioning as a Border Worlds Headquarters. Ile-de-France Shipping's loyalty will never be questioned. Because of this, IDF is working on systematic development and increasing the company's market value to ensure the financial security of its shareholders and employees, instead of blindly hunting for the best profit. "Loyalty over Profit" as Joseph Pomeroy said in his speech when he took over IDF Shipping from his father.

Known Bases

• Glasgow Outpost, Leeds
• La Charite Space Port, Tau-53
• Luxury Liner Antibes, Provence
• Luxury Liner Belleville, Lorraine
• Montigny Storage Facility, Lorraine
• Peronne Shipping Platform, Picardy
• Sarcelles Shipping Facility, Ile-de-France

Diplomacy

Faction Relations