Massive cargo container ship that spawns offshore every ~50 minutes, boards a patrol of 11 scientists, drops a locked crate after 16 minutes, then sails out of the world.
| Type | Moving event (~50 min spawn cycle) |
|---|---|
| Path | Sails the perimeter ocean tiles in a fixed loop |
| Defenders | 11 scientists (8-10 SAR, 1-2 LR300/AK47, 1 patrol heli pilot) |
| Reward | Locked Crate spawns ~16 min after event start |
| Locked Crate timer | Hack: 16 minutes; loot drops at 0:00 |
| Loot pool | Same as CH47 Locked Crate |
The Cargo Ship is Rust moving loot pinata — a massive container ship that spawns at sea, loops the map perimeter for ~50 minutes, and drops a guaranteed locked crate after a 16-minute hack timer. It is defended by 11 scientists and a patrol helicopter that arrives mid-event, so it is not a pushover. Successfully clearing Cargo as a duo or trio is one of the best per-hour loot runs in the game.
The headline reward is the Locked Crate — same loot pool as the CH47 drops, including L96, M249, MGL and HMLMG rolls. The crate has a 16-minute hack timer that begins the moment the event starts; you cannot speed it up, only protect it.
Around the ship there are also military crates (~6 spawns), elite crates (~2 spawns) and scientist drops from each kill. Total loot from a fully cleared cargo run rivals or beats a Launch Site green-puzzle clear.
11 scientists patrol the deck: roughly 8-10 carrying SARs, 1-2 with LR300 or AK47. They fire at long range and have hazmat hp pools. The cabin scientists are particularly dangerous — close-quarters with rifles inside the bridge.
Patrol Helicopter spawn: at the moment the locked crate completes, a Patrol Heli often spawns near the ship and patrols the area. You have a ~4-minute escape window before it actively chases survivors.
Other players are the biggest threat — Cargo is highly contested. Expect 1-3 boats trying to board simultaneously on weekend wipes.
Solo loadout (risky): AK47 or LR300 + Python, Metal Facemask + Roadsign, 200 5.56, 5 large medkits, Pure Max Health Tea active. You will struggle to clear all 11 scientists without backup — better as a duo+.
Duo/trio: one rifleman holds the spawn deck, one clears the cabin/bridge, one boats nearby for extraction. Standard split.
Approach: use a motorboat or RHIB — paddle boats are too slow. Approach from behind and grappling-hook up the rear to avoid the front-deck scientist gauntlet.
Escape: when the locked crate drops at 0:00, GRAB AND GO. Patrol heli will arrive. Boat back to land via the shortest route, hide behind cliffs.