Docking...or not docking. That is the question

[ReadyR]

I imagine I am not the first to notice that TFs carrying things that need to be unloaded (cargo, fuel, men/equipment) in any appropriate TF type (Cargo, Fuel, Amphib, Transport) sometimes dock and unload automatically at ports and other times arrive, but do not dock, and then begin unloading. Port size does not seem to matter, nor whether the port is empty or quite full. It is almost like it is a random thing.

I have not run "tests" on this...only have my game playing as reference. Also, can't find much mention of this in the manual or the Forum.

Does anybody know whether it is possible to set TFs to always dock and unload (if possible)? Or do you just take your chances? This is not a huge deal...it means extra attention must be given to each arrival port to check unloading status...but it can be annoying to have an important TF stay in "undocked" mode and therefore unload more slowly than planned.

Any help appreciated.

RR

[Sardaukar]

I think it is because of Operation Points.

If TF arrives to port and has expended most of it's movement before arriving, it does not have enough Operation points to dock automatically.

[ReadyR]

Many thanks. I'll pay more attention to that to see if it explains it.

[BBfanboy]

It appears to me that the TF needs to arrive in the morning naval movement phase to be able to dock in the afternoon. If it arrives in the afternoon it will dock (space permitting and no ship fires) next morning phase. As mentioned, even if it can't dock, if it has some ops points remaining when it is at the port it will offload a small amount of its load (abstracted as lighters in the port).

[ReadyR]

Thanks. I will keep watching for that as well. I have found undamaged ships that have been sitting for several days in undocked mode in port. As soon as I find them, I can dock them with no problem.

[btd64]

People can say size doesn't matter but with ports it does. The larger the port the larger the tonnage of the ship that can dock and the larger the tonnage of the TF that can dock. It's on the base screen. Also naval support helps....GP

[GetAssista]

I imagine I am not the first to notice that TFs carrying things that need to be unloaded (cargo, fuel, men/equipment) in any appropriate TF type (Cargo, Fuel, Amphib, Transport) sometimes dock and unload automatically at ports and other times arrive, but do not dock, and then begin unloading. Port size does not seem to matter, nor whether the port is empty or quite full. It is almost like it is a random thing.

Port size does matter. Cargo/Transport TFs in CS convoys do not automatically dock in 1-2 size ports (assuming they satisfy size requirements of course). It is an annoying oversight in the code for those OCD JFBs who gather resources in smaller DEI bases

[ReadyR]

What I am referring to does not seem to be related to port size. Latest turn examples are at Perth, Bombay and some size 3 Ports. I'm thinking it is really Operations points that is the issue.

[Chris21wen]

What I am referring to does not seem to be related to port size. Latest turn examples are at Perth, Bombay and some size 3 Ports. I'm thinking it is really Operations points that is the issue.

Ports also have op points in the amount of cargo they can handle. For me there are four possible things governing the ability of a TF to dock automatically, individual ship size, port size, cargo handling capicity, and TF OPs left.

Most problems come from sending an oversized TF to ports (ie. >24t to a size 3 port) and or when it arrives there's something else at the port already docked. I consider ths first to be the most important and should be avioded.. If you want to send an oversized TF put it in amphibious mode.

[Moltrey]

In general, I am always astounded by just how much detail was built into the Admirals Edition of the game. It's also why it is such a challenge to wrap your head around with so many aspects covered (some better than others).

A good example of the Port Size issue btd64 mentioned is the Allied Campaign start. I think everyone knows the large transport TF that starts between Noumea and Suva. If you take time to actually look at the destinations, the port size and the tonnage of the ships in question, there is a pretty big mismatch. One of my first tasks is to reorganize and bust-up the TF into two or occasionally three TFs and attempt to organize it for a bit more speed of unloading. Of course it is also a balancing act of which units land together, so there is no perfect answer.
One also has to account for the larger equipment in units that absolutely has to have enough Naval Support to unload or it will sit on the ship forever.

On the other hand, the old saying "When life gives you lemons..." holds; the couple huge transports assigned in this case are part of the hand you are dealt- perhaps it is wiser to follow the default destination and just let them take the first weeks of the war to unload the units onboard to Noumea, etc. as ordered.
Part of the fun.
In light of the lack of everything logistics-oriented for the Allies in the opening stages of the Campaign, this puzzle is no simple one to solve.