Gateway Shipping (player faction)

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Gateway Shipping
Origin	Kingdom of Bretonia
Alignment	Corporation
Profile
Date of founding	791 A.S.
Founder(s)	Sir Alisdair Buchanan
Current leader(s)	Richard Coleman
Base of operations	Kensington Shipping Platform
Identification
Primary ID	Gateway Shipping ID
IFF	Gateway
Tag(s)	Gateway)
Primary role
Transportation of goods
Secondary role
Providing security services

History

Gateway Shipping was founded in 791 A.S. by a group of New London investors interested in hauling raw materials across house borders and independent worlds for sale to various, smaller Sirius companies. After Gateway established a contract with the Independent Miners Guild they became noticed by their big competitor, Border World Exports. In 793 A.S. Gateway Shipping bought the Bowex owned base, Kensington Shipping by bypassing Bowex and purchasing the base via the Bretonia government. This was the start of the fierce competition between the two companies. Within a decade and a half, Gateway had concluded contracts with a number of organizations to be their primary shipper, the Independent Miners Guild perhaps the largest and best known among them. By helping out these competing smaller companies Gateway found its place in the market, and became commonly known as the underdog of Bretonia.

Gateway has undergone a number of changes in its short history, not least of which occurred in its leadership. Alisdair Buchanan, a Bretonian businessman, philanthropist, and populist sympathizer, and one of Gateway’s initial investors, came to find deeply rooted corrupt practices by a number of Gateway’s executives and investors following the Nomad War (800-801 A.S.). Gradually, he bought out the other investors until he owned a majority percentage of the firm, at which point he fired the executives in question and restructured the company in line with the values of employee and community development. Rechristened Gateway Interstellar, the young firm moved quickly to expand its trade division into a first-class fleet, eventually entering into markets that had been dominated by its rivals. Although now retired, Sir Alisdair still holds a seat on the Board of Directors as Chair.

Gateway Interstellar operated as a company that deeply valued its employees and its partners, and was actively seeking opportunities to develop its services to both. Gateway Interstellar has not actively supported the war against Kusari for both humanitarian and economic reasons. However, Gateway has always sought the Bretonian people’s best interests, and with Kusari’s incursion into Leeds System, – the Royal Liner Carpathia – had been converted to a refugee ferry to evacuate Planets Leeds and Harris, and other affected locales. Gateway Interstellar was considering proposals for a future expansion from its sole station, Kensington Shipping Platform, to a secondary shipping station in Manchester, plans which are still in effect.

Today, the chapter of Gateway Interstellar has come to an end as CEO Calum McDonald stepped down and assigned Richard Coleman as his replacement. Richard renamed Gateway back to Gateway Shipping as a symbolic gesture of the new start Gateway was going to make. This was the beginning of a complete reorganization that would make achieving higher goals possible for Gateway. Although there has been a lot of changes made within the company the core identity of Gateway still holds strong. Gateway is known as a classic underdog, a small but energetic firm holding its own in a market of large conglomerates, both private and government-subsidized. While relations remain tense with its primary rival, Bretonia’s nationalized Borderworlds Exports, Gateway is recognized as a firm operating squarely within Bretonian identity and interests.

Company goals

General

1. To find ways for further improvements
2. To uphold a high level of professionalism
3. To contribute to the welfare and economic integrity of Bretonia
4. To maintain current business relations
5. To expand into other markets

Internal

1. Ensuring a healthy income for all employees
2. To provide necessary training and equipment
3. To ensure safety for all employees

Diplomacy

Faction	Relationship
ALG Waste Disposal	Allied
Independent Miners Guild	Allied
Planetform	Allied
Bretonia Police Authority	Friendly
Bretonia Armed Forces	Friendly
BMM	Neutral
Border World Exports	Neutral
Everyone else	Neutral
Red Hessians	Unfriendly
Hogosha	Unfriendly
Gaians	Unfriendly
Junkers	Unfriendly
Farmers Alliance	Unfriendly
Bundschuh	Unfriendly
Landwirtrechtbewegung	Unfriendly
Unioners	Unfriendly
Gallic Royal Navy	Unfriendly
Liberty Rogues	Hostile
Xenos	Hostile
Mollys	Hostile
Lane Hackers	Hostile
Outcasts	Hostile
Corsairs	Hostile

Company Structure

The company structure of Gateway Shipping is divided into three sections. The first is the Board of Directors (BoD) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gateway Shipping, they make decisions which decides in which direction Gateway will be going. But the core of Gateway Shipping exists out of two sections.

Logistics department

Background

When Gateway Shipping was founded back in 791 A.S. there were only a few trading ships, and together they formed a trading department. Their primary focus was to transport raw materials for small independent mining companies, specially for the Independent Miners Guild. As time passed, and Gateway started to expand into the market, the size of the trading fleet increased as well. In 801 A.S. the trading department was given a complete overhaul when sir Buchanan took over the company and renamed it to Gateway Interstellar. They set a complete new standard for transportation in the sector, giving Gateway an unique edge. Even when Buchanan retired and Calum McDonald took over as CEO the company kept developing itself to reach for higher achievements. In 819 A.S. McDonald stepped down as CEO after having done a tremendous job and assigned Richard Coleman as his replacement, a complete reorganization of Gateway followed. Interstellar had done a great job in increasing the level of professionalism when it came to transporting goods for their clients, but Coleman had bigger plans in mind. In order to improve the quality of Gateway’s services the Trading Department was changed into a Logistics Department, offering more services to its clients. Aside from transporting goods it was also made possible to use services like: Warehousing, material handling and inventory services. Although this new department is very young its standards are high, and their will to strive for even greater quality remains present.

Positions

Logistics Manager (Maximum: 1)

The logistics manager is the head of the Logistics Department in Gateway Shipping. This person is hand-picked by the Chief Executive Officer and leads the department. He/she is charged with many responsibilities, to ensure that the department lives up to its’ standards.

Logistics Coordinator (Maximum: 2)

A supporting position within the Logistics Department. The Logistics Coordinators are hand picked by the Logistics Manager and are given limited powers to ensure a smooth process within the department. There’s only two spots available, making it a challenge to not just be promoted to the rank of Coordinator, but also to maintain this rank. In order to be promoted to this rank you need to excel at all the important factors: Managing skills, communication skills, activity and professionalism. When promoted to this rank a sum of $5.000.000,- will be transferred as a bonus. When a Captain outclasses one of the current Logistics Coordinators their ranks will be swapped, to encourage motivation to become better and a friendly competition within the department.

Captain (Maximum: Unlimited)

The backbone of the department, Captains are in charge of their own ship, which is part of the Gateway trading fleet. They represent most of Gateway Shipping, and carry a large responsibility with them. Although they have completed their traineeship it is strongly encouraged to keep working on their skills. When a Captain excels in his/her job he/she can be promoted to the rank of Logistics Coordinator. The group of Captains is a group of professionals, and teamwork runs high in this group.

Trainee (Maximum: Unlimited)

New to Gateway Shipping, these men and women are trainees. Being put in charge of a “Gull” Civilian Transport, they have to go through a training course in order to become a Captain of their very own trading ship. In their training course they have to complete three challenges, and complete a quiz afterwards. If they succeed in completing all tests, and meet with all the requirements, the trainee will be promoted to the rank of Captain, and will officially take his/her place in the Gateway trading fleet.

Ships

Gull - CT-49X

The smallest transport in the trading fleet of Gateway Shipping. For most this is the ship they start their career as Captain with, as new trainees of Gateway Shipping are given command of a Gull when they begin their training. Although it’s a rather small ship it gives great maneuverability which can be quite useful when you’re trying to get the hang of the different protocols when approaching certain objects, like Trade Lanes and Jump Gate.

Albatross - CT-39X

Often considered to be the bigger relative of the Gull, the Albatross is the extended version in the CT-X line. Even though the amount of turret emplacements are the same as the Gull there are some significant improvements on the Albatross. It’s able to carry twice as more cargo, as it carries twice as many cargo pods. The Albatross has got a longer structure, but it still handles extremely well. A perfect ship for beginning Captains.

Heron - CT-53

The first ship in the C-Train line, the Heron is able to provide transportation of goods on a complete new level. Its’ structure allows for bigger cargo pods compared to the CT-X line. There’s a possibility to extend the ship by adding another compartment at the back of the ship, increasing the amount of goods it can carry. The mobility of the Heron is still okay, especially when compared to its bigger relatives. It makes up for a fine ship when the Captain wants to increase his or her productiveness.

Crane - CT-69

Considered to be the middle sibling of the three train models available, the Crane has got three compartments in the back, allowing it to carry significantly more goods. Its front compartment, containing all facilities of the ship, remains the same as the other two models. Some Captains even prefer the Crane over its bigger relative, due to its better handling. Its a perfect all round trading ship capable to handle large orders.

Stork - CT-73

King of all trains, the stork is the largest train model available as of today. Holding up to four compartments at the rear it is known to be, long. The ship designers originally intended the compartments to be bendable, improving its movement. However, this caused several issues with steering thrusters, and also entering trade lanes and jump gates was made harder when the compartments could bend. In the end the designers decided to make the ship static, to allow for a more solid core structure. This ship requires an experienced pilot in order to maneuver effectively, but will eventually pay off as it can take on any shipping contract.

Primary duty

Transportation of goods

Ever since Gateway Shipping started the primary focus was on the shipping of goods for clients. In time the trading fleet increased in size as Gateway gained more clients, and Gateway had to adjust their strategy multiple times to maximize the quality of transportation. Today there are multiple methods of transporting goods. A Captain of a trade ship can take on a large arange of orders from all sorts of companies. These are usually planned in such a way that it can be made into a route. Some orders can be completed by one trading ship, but some orders are too big and require multiple trading ships in order to achieve the requirement of goods. This is called a convoy.

Convoy

A convoy is a group of trading ships traveling together for mutual support and protection. When Gateway receives an order that requires more than one trading ship to complete a convoy will be put together. Convoys of Gateway Shipping are highly structured and organized, but most of all: Safe. In most cases there are security ships flying along the convoy to ensure its safety. When a convoy is grouped there is one person assigned as convoy leader, this is usually the highest ranking of the logistics department, but in case all attending people are of the same rank this can be discussed. The convoy leader is responsible for all attending trading vessels. He/she will make sure that everyone attending the convoy is aware of where the convoy is heading, and which goods have to be delivered or picked up. The convoy leader also makes sure that the chatter is maintained, so that important messages won’t be lost.

Special contracts

Aside from the routes Gateway offers there may also be a couple of special contracts running with various of organizations. These contracts usually have far more detail put into them than the basic delivery orders. Some contracts are temporarily, some are permanent. Gateway Shipping pays a lot of attention and effort into these contracts, so it may occur that only a selected group of trading ships are allowed access to a contract. Some contracts may require more goods than one trading ship can carry, in this case a convoy will be formed in order to achieve the requirement.

Payments

Last but not least, there’s a payment system all personnel of the logistics department have to be familiar with. Gateway Shipping strives for a healthy income for all its employees, so having a working payment system is critical. When a Captain decides to take on an order or a special contract on his/her own Gateway Shipping shall not demand additional fees from said person. This comes with great responsibility as the trading ship will be unprotected, a responsibility which may pay off. However it is strongly encouraged to seek for more captains to fly with, and to hire security personnel if possible. When there’s two or more ships working together the extra fee system of Gateway Shipping is activated. When there’s only trading ships working together, but no security personnel is attending there will only be a company fee. The company fee consists of 5% of total profit, per ship. Company fee is send directly to Gateway Shipping and is used for the well-being, creditworthiness and growth of the company. This fee is to cover for all the expenses Gateway Shipping makes. When accepting the security services of the security division another fee is activated. Each escort costs minimal 10% of total profit, per ship. This fee is to ensure the salary of the security guards, and for the well-being of the security division. When there are more traders than escorts the total amount of fee paid shall be split even among the escorts. However, when the number of escorts become higher than the number of traders the percentage of escort fee rises for the trader in order to achieve the minimal escort fee of 10%, more security means more fees.

Secondary duties

Market Research

In order to allow further development it is essential that Gateway keeps a close eye on the market, and to keep looking for new clients. To make this viable Gateway Shipping has got a few duties that most employees of the logistics department can access.

Route planning

To maximize productivity of the logistics department planning effective routes is critical. Every employee of the department may take their shot at planning a new route, or altering an existing one. Once they’ve made a sketch of the new or renewed route they will present this to the Logistics Manager who will decide whether or not this new route will be implemented into the list of existing routes.

Leads

This is another secondary duty that all employees of Gateway Shipping can attend to. In order to assist with the development of Gateway Shipping there is a leads system implemented. This system allows employees to hand in tips of possible new customers to the logistics manager, who will review all leads. Employees who have turned in a lead will always get feedback from the logistics manager about whether or not the lead was useful or not. All the employee has to fill in is their name, the name of the customer and a small description about why this customer could be a new client for Gateway Shipping.

Customer analysis

It is important to have a clear knowledge about the customers of Gateway Shipping, and also about possible customers (Leads). For this there is the customer analysis, a system of the logistics department that allows for a thorough research in (possible) customers of Gateway Shipping. All information about the (possible) customers can be stored into a database, to give a clear overview of who the customer is, who they do business with and what their history in general contains. All employees can turn in their sketch with the logistics manager, who will then review and add the information into the database. With the obtained knowledge Gateway Shipping can adjust their strategy according to their customers more precise.

Order processing

Order processing is a key element within the logistics department, it describes the flow of goods within the logistic system of Gateway Shipping and allows for a clear overview of the current status.

Contracts

Contracts with customers is a prime focus of the logistics department, after a lead has been filed, and the customer analysis has been completed the arrangement with the customer can be finalized. But existing contracts are also a prime focus in order processing, these contracts have to be constantly reviewed to make sure everything is up to date. Contracts concern only the logistics manager and the chief executive officer, employees can always give hints when they see something in a contract that may not be correct.

Contract monitoring

Beside reviewing the contract itself it is of great importance that the contract status is being monitored. Logistic coordinators and the logistic manager are in charge of monitoring the process of a contract. It is important to know if certain criteria are met in a contract, and to be aware on delivery statuses. Gateway Shipping values its customers and the contracts it has got, monitoring the contract statuses is critical for success.

Inventory management

Last but not least there is inventory management. There are a lot of goods flowing through the logistics department, and it is important to know how many goods we have stored. Inventory management is the responsibility of the logistic coordinators and the logistic manager. There will be a history as well as a current status of goods currently stored in the holds of Gateway Shipping.