Make cargo available at the dock
A working pickup begins at the station. Send one material along the station-side belt to the loading point, with a buffer if you need to collect a shipment first. Verify that the dock can load that material into the ship before scheduling repeated visits.
Trace the route from production to the hold
Start upstream and watch a small batch move. Check that production creates the intended item, that the belt reaches the loading point, and that the ship's cargo changes during the stop. That sequence pinpoints which part to fix if the ship leaves without a shipment.
In one recorded playtest, a player sent a ship to a nickel outpost, then realized the outpost's dock might still need to be configured to load nickel. That is a useful station-side check even when the ship can already reach both destinations. The official Steam description describes automated routes between stations as part of the fleet logistics system.
Repeat the delivery before increasing volume
Send the ship through a complete pickup and drop-off with one item. Look for a matching decrease at the supplying station and an increase at the receiver. If the first trip works, run it again. A second trip reveals whether the next batch can reach the dock while the ship is away.
FAQ
Where should I start if the ship reaches the dock empty?
Check whether the supply has actually reached the station's loading point. Then check whether that stop is set to load it.
What does the buffer do?
It gives production a place to accumulate cargo between visits. The amount worth storing depends on how much the route needs to move.
When should I add another material?
Add it after one material loads and unloads reliably. Then check the new item on both ends before increasing its volume.