My ideas for sea transport in Tropico 7

With Tropico 7 on the horizon, I’d like to present an idea I hope the developers will consider: Sea transport, and not just any sea transport, but one worthy of El Presidente himself!

Currently, it feels a bit odd that citizens, tourists, and teamsters alike must brave the waves on tiny wooden boats, as if the great nation of Tropico can’t afford proper maritime infrastructure. Surely El Presidente deserves better, and so do his people (and paying tourists).

So I present to you...

The El Presidente Express!

Citizens to work and home

Tourists between islands or resorts

Teamsters and vehicles for resource transport

And perhaps even military troops in more... persuasive situations

This isn’t just about functionality, it’s about making Tropico’s archipelagos feel alive, connected, and ready for expansion. And best of all, it can be directly commissioned and controlled by El Presidente himself. Because why shouldn’t he have a ferry line named after him?

Tropico is surrounded by water, let’s make the most of it.

The El Presidente Express is a versatile sea transport system that connects islands and coastlines, functioning like a water-based bus garage. It carries citizens, tourists, teamsters, and vehicles across designated ferry routes.

Vehicle Transport: Teamsters, and service vehicles (bus) can cross water without detours.

Tourism Support: Ferries boost access to remote resorts and attractions.

Citizen Commutes: Workers living on one island can now reach jobs on another.

Tourist Trap: Prioritizes tourists, boosts tourism rating, annoys workers.

Import/Export Shuttle: Optimizes teamster and cargo movement.

Military Reserve Mode: Transports troops during conflict (unlocked during conflict, or with Martial Law edict).

Neglect It: Save money, but risk breakdowns, delays, and PR disasters.

Hydraulic Ramps: Faster vehicle loading.

Security Kiosk: Reduces smuggling risk, lowers liberty.

Onboard Entertainer: Tourism boost, mild insanity effect for citizens.

El Presidente Express Ferry Types

Imported Ferry
Capacity: 130 citizens (100 with Tourist Trap work mode) 50 tourists (90 with Tourist Trap work mode) 20 teamsters (unchanged regardless of work mode) and 15 vehicles (same with teamster, unchanged)

Acquisition: Imported via menu at the Ferry Dock. Price is 20,000.

Generally more focused on passengers than cargo.

More durable, and generally faster than the Local Ferry option, but more expensive upkeep/maintenance.

2. Local Ferry

Capacity: 100 citizens (50 with Tourist Trap work mode) 10 tourists (90 with Tourist Trap work mode) 25 teamsters (unchanged regardless of work mode) and 25 vehicles (same with teamster, unchanged)

Acquisition: Click on the new "Build Ferry" button when selecting a shipyard. The ferry will be ready after 6 in game months.

Price: $8000–10,000 per ferry (built at Shipyard) Generally slower than imported ferries.

Generally more focused for cargo than passengers.

Higher breakdown chance without regular maintenance
Main workhorse ferry for public and logistical transport
Supports the shipyard and creates local jobs
Possible with Ferry Dock upgrades to improve speed and capacity

The ferry dock structure is the new structure that is required to use a ferry. The appearance of the building is like a mix of the Tourist, and Teamster ports. You need to build two ferry docks or more to create a route.

To create a route, you click on the "Create Route" button when selecting a Ferry Dock. From there, you must select another ferry dock. Once you select the ferry dock, you have made a new route. To let a ferry begin service, you have to click the "Assign to route" button. a list of all available ferries is there. Click on the ferry you want, and it will be assigned to the route.

Imported ferries will turn around, and dock using the back. During departure, Imported Ferries will simply accelerate, and leave the dock. Local ferries will simply dock using the front at the dock. During departure, the Local Ferry will reverse, turn around, and leave the dock.

Tropicans will now "visit" family members / friends in other islands.