The Merchantman is the ubiquitious civilian cargo and transport ship in use by all of the major and minor powers. So many Merchantman-type ships exist in the galaxy that it is bizarre not to see at least one near a port of call at any given point in time. Lightly armed for their own defense, the Merchantman was never designed to go up against military ships; however, the ship can hold out long enough in a battle in case help should arrive.