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Briefly, each ship can fall under one of these categories: Civilian ships, Drones, Small/Medium ships, and Capital ships. Simoon wrote a guide for capital ships for Rebirth v3.00 00 (link) and although it is a little outdated now (although semi-updated for 3.5), it may be interesting background with that caveat in mind (link)mind.
Advantages of Small/Medium ships are higher in-zone speed and lower cost, but coming come with the disadvantages of weaker defences and cargo type restriction (although this isn't consistently an issue). Advantages of Large/Extra Large ships typically include sturdier defences, greater storage capacity, shorter travel times between zones/sectors/systems*, and the option of ships that can carry two or all four cargo types. Downsides The downsides of using the biggest, strongest ships compared to smaller Large ships include slow include longer overall delivery times** and the potential for all their cargo space not being needed for a given run.
* Facilitated by point-to-point boosting within a sector, and a Jumpdrive for inter-sector travel.
** Caused by slower align times reduced maneuverability and reduced boost speed, as it this is a standard multiplier of slower base speeds.
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- The Albion/HoL Sanahar Large trade ship uses Medium ship wares (no PFRs or B-OW).
- As can be seem above, all Teladi ships uses the Medium ship wares (like the Sanahar).
- The Teladi Overwatch shipyard produces Energy Cells, Podkletnov Gens. , and Food Rations.
- Whilst While the "TotalsTotal" columns do not show demand, they hint at the significance of the relatively rare RMP and FRs.
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Ships are often classified by its their "class". Here are the classes currently used:
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Small Ships are always XS/S/M-sized ships while Capital Ships are always L/XL-sized ships. If you're unsure, look at the ship's details to see whether the ship has a jumpdrive (or fuel in its cargo). If Yes, the ship is L/XL; if No the ship is S/M (or lesser). All drones are XS
By Purpose
Ships are specially specifically designed and can complete the following purposes: (see the ship's Encyclopaedia entry for its specialisation, if any)
- TRADE with stations
- MINE materials
- FIGHT hostiles
BUILD stations
Some capships are multi-role. Whilst their efficiency is reduced in the role assignedmay be reduced for their assigned role, other needs (eg defensibility, cargo requirements etc) may suit <player> better for their the particular situation
By Availability
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- Rahanas (all 5 variants)
- Sanahar
- Fedhelm
- Sequana
- Midir
- Onil
- Boann
- Light Sul
- Heavy Sul
- Balor
- Styrvok (all 6 variants)
- Stromvok
- Hermod
- Lepton
- Xenon K
XL Ships
- Construction Vessel
- Scaldis
- Taranis
- Arawn
- Succelleus
- Olmekron
- Fulmekron
- Gangrene Chaser
- Xenon I