Difference between "Cargo TF" and "Transport TF"?

[fflaguna]

What's the difference between a Cargo TF and a Transport TF?

Also, what is the main purpose of a Barge TF? How do I make one? The option is almost always grayed out.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: fflaguna

What's the difference between a Cargo TF and a Transport TF?

Also, what is the main purpose of a Barge TF? How do I make one? The option is almost always grayed out.

The only difference I´ve noticed so far is the fact that you can´t include APs in a cargo TF.

Barges are not targeted by normal naval attacks so the main purpose is to use them as small transports (mainly for supplies IMO) under enemy air threat. Barge TFs (and PT TFs as well) are only targeted by naval attacks set to 100ft, which means strafing attacks. It´s almost always grayed out as you probably don´t have barges in that port. If there are barges you can also create a barge TF.

hope this helps

[Sharkosaurus rex]

I'm pretty sure a cargo TF won't willing enter a hex within enemy air superiority.
While transport TF will.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Sharkosaurus rex

I'm pretty sure a cargo TF won't willing enter a hex within enemy air superiority.
While transport TF will.

I´ve sent cargo TFs without any problem into areas with enemy air threat though. If a TF wants to go around somewhere, just use "direct route".

[jomni]

Cargo - does not bring people.
Transport - brings people (in strat mode) and supplies but uses ports.
Amphibious - brings people (in combat mode) and supplies but does not use ports (lands via little boats)

[fflaguna]

ORIGINAL: jomni

Cargo - does not bring people.
Transport - brings people (in strat mode) and supplies but uses ports.
Amphibious - brings people (in combat mode) and supplies but does not use ports (lands via little boats)

Do Cargo TFs use ports?

[pmelheck1]

yep cargo does use port capacity, so do Amphibious while loading but they don't need a port to unload.

[fflaguna]

So I gather there is no difference between Cargo TF and Transport TF if the only thing you are moving is supplies. And APs can't be in a Cargo TF.

[tbridges]

If I "Dock" an amphib TF will it unload faster than it would over the beach?

[Rainer]

Are you serious?

Amphib TF in a port will of course unload faster if docked.
Unloading over beach cannot use a dock because there isn't one.

Docked means the ship(s) are alongside a pier and use the port facilities to unload (cranes).
If ships are not docked - at small ports some ships are simply to large to dock - then the ship(s) will be unloaded with other means, like small harbour barges, even buckets in case of fuel, which consequently will need a very long time.
At very small ports large and heavy pieces of equipment cannot be unloaded at all (the screen will tell you) because the port does not have the appropriate equipment, even when docked.

Amphib types of ship have special equipment on board, like ferry boats to bring soldiers ashore, plus heavy cranes to unload heavy equipment, like artillery and radar. With that kind of equipment amphib ships don't need a port and can unload even at beaches.

[Q-Ball]

There is little practical difference, but I find "Cargo" and "Transport" to be handy tracking device.

I make all the CS Resource convoys around the Home Islands "Cargo" TFs, and keep everything else Transport. That way, on the base screen, you can see what TF's are "Transport" and might need orders, but you can forget the "Cargo" TFs, as they are on auto-pilot; it's a quick visual, as the symbol for them are distinct. It saves time cycling through all the TFs in a busy port and seeing which ones need orders.

[tbridges]

ORIGINAL: Rainer
Amphib types of ship have special equipment on board, like ferry boats to bring soldiers ashore, plus heavy cranes to unload heavy equipment, like artillery and radar. With that kind of equipment amphib ships don't need a port and can unload even at beaches.

I was thinking that perhaps due to their having special unloading equipment like you mention that amphib TFs could unload at "docked" speed whether they were actually docked or not.

[Rainer]

Cargo TF means a TF with civilian (non-military) ships and crews while Transport TFs are under military/Navy control.
The difference should be that Cargo TFs are not as bold as Transport TFs regarding enemy threats, and more likely to abort a mission if under threat.
However, the current WitP/AE manual doesn't even mention Cargo TF anymore, let alone the difference to a Transport TF.

Looks like an initial idea from WitP has been lost in the transfer to WitP/AE.

[Rainer]

I don't think so.
Just try to "dock" an Amphib TF at a beach.
It should not be an option (button greyed out).

It is possible, however unlikely, that the devs did not take this into account.
So it would probably be a good idea just to try that (docking an Amphib TF at beach) the next time the opportunity is present, meaning having an Amphib TF ready for unloading at a beach.

(Currently I don't have any Amphib TFs. I'm struggling to keep my bases supplied with Transport TFs. I'm not yet in shape to do anything offensive, let alone conduct amphibious operations).

[tbridges]

ORIGINAL: Rainer

(Currently I don't have any Amphib TFs. I'm struggling to keep my bases supplied with Transport TFs. I'm not yet in shape to do anything offensive, let alone conduct amphibious operations).

I'm using large xAKs in amphib TFs early in a PBEM as Allies to get supplies and troops to the small South Pacific ports that I intend to build up. The xAKs are too large to dock but they unload rapidly enough over the beach until I can expand the ports.