What to know
-
Visit Ship Services Technicians at spaceports like New Atlantis on Jemison to handle all ship sales.
-
Register captured ships first, either via menu or technician, costing nearly the sale value but enabling profit.
-
Switch away from home ship status before selling to avoid restrictions.
-
Limit of 10 ships means selling extras keeps inventory manageable for ongoing piracy.
Commandeering and selling ships offers a reliable path to credits in Starfield, especially through boarding enemy vessels in space or on planetary surfaces. This method lets players profit from high-value targets like Ecliptic or pirate ships without upfront costs.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Own at least two ships; credits for registration (85-90% of ship value) |
| Key Locations | New Atlantis (Jemison), The Key (Kryx system), major spaceports |
| Profit Potential | Thousands of credits per ship, higher from large variants |
| Limits | Max 10 ships; technicians have finite credits, reset by waiting |
Locations for ship services
Ship Services Technicians appear at prominent spaceports including New Atlantis on Jemison in Alpha Centauri, The Key in the Kryx system for Crimson Fleet access, and various stations like those in major faction hubs, providing consistent spots to register and sell without long travels.
How to steal ships fast
Target enemy ships during combat or landings to acquire them without purchase.
Step 1: Spot opportunities
Scan for hostile ships landing on planets.

Or engage in space fights against pirates and Ecliptic fleets.

Step 2: Disable and board
Disable shields then engines with targeted fire. Dock automatically when close.

Or approach landed ships stealthily, avoiding ground crew to prevent takeoff.

Step 3: Clear interior
Board and eliminate all crew members inside using stealth or direct combat.

Step 4: Claim cockpit
Sit in the pilot seat to take control and fly away.

How to register captured ships
Newly stolen ships need registration to modify or sell. Open the ship menu from inventory or pause. Navigate to the unregistered vessel. Select register option in bottom right corner.

Confirm payment to legitimize it.

This is cheaper and faster than at technicians.
How to sell registered ships
Head to any Ship Services Technician after registration.
Step 1: Initiate conversation
Land at a spaceport and speak to the technician.

Choose the option – Let me see what ships you have for sale.

Step 2: Check home ship
If the target shows as home ship, navigate to another owned ship and set it as home ship. Exit the menu.
Step 3: Access sales
Talk to technician again. Select to see ships for sale, then switch to sell tab.
Step 4: Select and confirm
Navigate to the registered ship. Choose sell.

Confirm in the popup for instant credits.
Maximize profits from sales
Focus on level-scaled high-value ships like Ecliptic Claymore III or Va’ruun variants. Sell parts individually in ship builder for extra gains if disassembly fits. Rotate vendors to bypass credit limits—corporate shipyards hold more funds.
Streamline your gameplay by maintaining a rotation of stolen ships, hitting pirate hotspots, and cycling sales across systems for steady income without grinding missions.
