Cargo routes allow you to automatically load and send cargo fleets on transport missions, as such unloading their cargo at the destination. Your fleet will either immediately embark on the next mission on arrival, or if requirements cannot be met, regularly re-check resource availability or need. To commence cargo routes, the fleet must be sent to a colony from which resources are to be transported.

Cargo Routes are available in Fleet Command in the fleet orders tab of any fleets with cargo capacity. To activate the route you have to click "set orders" for each route specification.

Beware creating dead ends or infinite loops. To help manage this risk you can deactivate or reactivate a route by clicking the checkbox "active", until resource production or other import/export criteria are resolved. Or if you simply want to use the fleet for some special but temporary purpose, this is the feature to use.

There are three loading strategies and a minimum loading amount available.

- Load exactly
Load the configured amounts. Wait until at least the minimum configured filling percentage is available.

- Load to replenish target
Load to fill the target storage to the configured amounts. The filling percentage takes into account both the resources required at the destination and those available.

- Load all except
Load all excess resouces beyond the configured amounts. Filling percentage here applies to cargo space available in the fleet.

You can set multiple orders at the same colony. Your fleet will then embark on the first order it can fill. If there are multiple orders to the same destination, it will try to fill them all if possible.