Steel isn't sexy. That's why it works.

When the premium commodities are camped out or sold dry, you need a route that just runs. This is that route: Nyx Gateway to Levski, steel only, Ironclad hauling. Short flight, fast turnaround, no drama.

Route 

Margin per unit: ~557 aUEC. Not massive, but stable — and stock at Nyx Gateway usually sits around 3,000 units, enough to fill an Ironclad properly.

Why Steel, Why This Route

• Short hop. No cross-system slog.
• Reliable spread. ~557 aUEC/unit before fees.
• Zero complexity. One stop, one sell point.
• Ironclad-friendly. Built for volume, not luxury cargo.

Bottom line: this isn't a jackpot route. It's a repeatable one. That's the entire point.

Buy Strategy at Nyx Gateway

Price sits around 1,733 aUEC. Stock: ~3,000 units.

Container choice makes or breaks your loading time.

Stick to 24s + 8s. That combo brought loading down to ~15-16 minutes in real runs.

Terminal glitch tip: if it still tries selling you 8-SCU boxes after your hold is basically full, refresh the page. Don't confirm a purchase that doesn't match your remaining capacity — the numbers lie until you refresh.

Timing Breakdown

Loading eats most of the clock. Flight is basically a formality on this route.

Selling at Levski

Steel sells around 2,290 aUEC. Levski gets traffic, so check the terminal live — don't assume yesterday's price holds.

Sample run numbers

If the sale amount looks tiny: your cargo is probably split into stacks. Check:

• Multiple container batches
• Correct ship selected
• Terminal needs a refresh
• Cargo actually registered after landing

Nine times out of ten, it's a display bug, not a lost run.

Hourly Profit Reality Check

Three clean runs an hour = theoretical ~3M aUEC/hour. Real servers rarely give you three clean runs.

Treat it as a solid floor, not a guaranteed ceiling.

Fast Checklist

Before buying:

• Confirm stock and price haven't drifted
• Ironclad selected at terminal
• Loading estimate looks normal, not inflated

During loading:

• 24-SCU + 8-SCU combo only
• Watch for time estimate spikes — swap container sizes if it jumps

Before departure:

• Cargo fully loaded
• Fuel checked
• No lingering ship issues

At Levski:

• Confirm sell price live
• Sell every stack, including small leftovers
• Refresh if the sale number looks off

Mistakes That Kill This Run

Risk Notes

Your ship is your bank account on this run. Buy-in runs several million aUEC — manageable for veterans, risky for newer traders going all-in.

Rule of thumb: never load cargo you can't afford to lose emotionally. Every hauler learns this the hard way once.

FAQ

Is steel actually worth trading in Star Citizen?

Yes, on short routes with healthy margins. It's not the top-tier earner, but it's the most repeatable one when better commodities dry up.

How much profit does the Nyx Gateway to Levski run make?

Roughly 1M aUEC per full Ironclad load, buying at ~1,733 and selling at ~2,290 per unit.

How long does the full run take?

20-25 minutes total. Loading eats 15-16 minutes of that — the flight itself is short.

What container sizes should I buy?

24-SCU for the bulk, 8-SCU to top off. Skip 32-SCU unless your timing tolerance is high.

Why does the sell terminal show a tiny amount first?

Cargo is likely split into separate stacks. Refresh, check the full cargo list, confirm you're viewing the right ship.

Summary

Nyx Gateway to Levski is a no-frills, repeatable steel loop. Buy around 1,733 aUEC, sell around 2,290 aUEC, land close to 1M aUEC profit in about 20 minutes.

Load smart with 24-SCU + 8-SCU containers. Refresh the terminal when numbers look wrong. Check Levski demand before every run. Don't dump your entire balance into one load.

Steel won't make headlines. It'll make consistent aUEC — which, in the long run, matters more.