The Shipyard is the second area you unlock in Storage Hunters: Open World, requiring 750 net worth to access. This intermediate zone represents a significant step up from the Junkyard, featuring B-Tier containers, improved mutation rates, and more valuable loot. The Shipyard is where the game transitions from tutorial mode to a genuine money-making grind. This Shipyard Area Guide covers everything about this mid-game area, including container types, NPC quests, auction strategies, and the fastest path to unlocking the Mansion.
Shipyard Overview
The Shipyard features a maritime industrial theme with shipping containers, cranes, and dockside auction boards. The area feels distinctly different from the Junkyard, with larger containers and a more competitive auction environment.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Area Name | Shipyard |
| Unlock Requirement | 750 Net Worth |
| Container Tier | B-Tier |
| Loot Quality | Uncommon to Rare |
| Mutation Rates | Moderate (Uncommon and Rare mutations common) |
| Primary NPC | Sal |
| Auction Board | Yes (Shipyard auction board) |
| Shop | Expanded mid-game shop |
The transition from Junkyard to Shipyard is the first major progression milestone in Storage Hunters: Open World. The improved loot quality and mutation rates make every auction more profitable, but the higher container costs also require more careful bidding strategy.
Shipyard Containers
Shipyard Container
The Shipyard Container is the standard B-Tier container in this area. It represents a meaningful upgrade over the Junkyard Container with better loot pools and improved mutation probabilities.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Typical Starting Bid | 200-500 cash |
| Average Contents Value | 400-1200 cash |
| Mutation Rates | Moderate (Uncommon and Rare mutations) |
| Common Items | Electronics, rare collectibles, industrial items |
| Rare Finds | Gold mutation items, Epic mutation items occasionally |
Shipyard Containers produce significantly more valuable items than Junkyard Containers. You will regularly find Silver and Pure mutation items, and Gold mutation items (4x multiplier) appear with reasonable frequency. This dramatically increases your profit potential per auction.
Storage Locker (Shipyard Variant)
Storage Lockers also appear in the Shipyard, though they remain at C-Tier quality. They are useful for cheap volume bidding when you want to conserve cash for higher-value Shipyard Container bids.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | C |
| Typical Starting Bid | 50-100 cash |
| Average Contents Value | 100-300 cash |
For a complete container reference, see our All Containers Guide.
Shipyard NPCs
Sal (Quest Giver)
Sal is the primary quest NPC in the Shipyard. His quest chain is more involved than Billy's but offers substantially better rewards, including the Cowboy Hat accessory and significant cash bonuses.
Sal's Quest Chain:
| Quest | Objective | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome to the Shipyard | Talk to Sal | 100 cash |
| Shipyard Scavenger | Find a specific item type in a Shipyard Container | 200 cash |
| Mutation Hunter | Find an item with a Silver or better mutation | 300 cash |
| Heavy Hauler | Transport items with a combined value of 1000+ cash | 400 cash |
| Shipyard Shark | Win 5 Shipyard auctions | 500 cash + Cowboy Hat |
| Sal's Favorite | Complete all previous quests | 1000 cash |
Sal's quest chain rewards a total of 2,500 cash plus the Cowboy Hat accessory. This is more than double Billy's quest rewards, reflecting the increased difficulty and area progression.
For all NPC details, see our All NPCs Guide and Quest NPCs Guide.
Shop Keeper
The Shipyard Shop Keeper sells mid-tier items and the Watch accessory for 2000 cash. The expanded inventory includes vehicle upgrade components and shop shelf expansions that help you manage the increased volume of higher-value items.
Shipyard Auction Strategy
Auctions in the Shipyard are more competitive and expensive than in the Junkyard. Here are strategies specifically for this area:
Bidding Guidelines
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Shipyard Container with no competition | Bid 200-400 cash |
| Shipyard Container with one competitor | Bid up to 600 cash |
| Shipyard Container with multiple competitors | Let them fight, or bid up to 800 max |
| You see a Gold mutation item visible | Bid aggressively up to 1000 cash |
| Storage Locker available | Bid 50-100 cash as a side bet |
Evaluating Container Value in the Shipyard
In the Shipyard, you need to be more deliberate about which containers you bid on. Here are factors to consider:
- Visible items - If you can see high-value items peeking out of a container, it is worth a stronger bid
- Container size - Larger Shipyard Containers tend to have more items inside
- Competition level - If no one else is bidding, you can often win at the minimum bid
- Your remaining cash - Never bid more than 40% of your total cash on a single container
- Time of day - Off-peak hours often mean less competition and cheaper winning bids
For advanced auction strategies, see our Auction Tips and Bidding Strategy Guide.
Shipyard Loot Categories
The Shipyard offers noticeably better item categories than the Junkyard:
| Category | Value Range | Weight | Frequency | Value/Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rare Collectibles | 200-800 cash | Low | Common | Excellent |
| Electronics | 150-500 cash | Medium | Common | Good |
| Industrial | 200-600 cash | High | Common | Fair |
| Agricultural | 100-400 cash | Medium | Uncommon | Fair |
| Marine Equipment | 200-700 cash | High | Uncommon | Fair-Good |
The shift toward rare collectibles and electronics means the Shipyard is far more profitable than the Junkyard. Items are worth more on average, and mutation probabilities are significantly better.
Shipyard Progression Roadmap
Your goal in the Shipyard is to earn enough net worth to unlock the Mansion. Here is the optimal progression path:
Phase 1: Quest Completion (0-20 minutes)
- Talk to Sal and accept all available quests
- Complete the "Welcome to the Shipyard" quest (100 cash)
- Win a Shipyard Container auction for the "Shipyard Scavenger" quest (200 cash)
- Look for Silver or better mutations for the "Mutation Hunter" quest (300 cash)
- Haul high-value items for the "Heavy Hauler" quest (400 cash)
- Continue quest completion through Sal's full chain
Phase 2: Shipyard Container Grinding (20-60 minutes)
- Bid on Shipyard Containers with moderate bids (300-600 cash)
- Prioritize containers with visible high-value items
- Haul items efficiently, prioritizing value-to-weight ratio
- Sell items promptly to maintain cash flow
- Look for Gold mutation items for 4x value boosts
Phase 3: Mansion Unlock (1-2 hours)
- Continue Shipyard Container grinding with increased bid sizes
- Complete any remaining quests across all areas
- Consider purchasing gamepasses to accelerate earnings
- Target Silver and Gold mutation items consistently
Shipyard vs. Junkyard Comparison
Understanding the differences between these two areas helps you appreciate the Shipyard upgrade:
| Feature | Junkyard | Shipyard |
|---|---|---|
| Container Tier | C | B |
| Best Container | Junkyard Container | Shipyard Container |
| Average Item Value | 50-150 cash | 200-600 cash |
| Gold Mutation Frequency | Very Rare | Uncommon |
| Starting Bid Range | 50-100 | 200-500 |
| Quest Rewards | 1,100 cash total | 2,500 cash total |
| Primary NPC | Billy | Sal |
| Shop Quality | Basic | Expanded |
The Shipyard is roughly 3-4x more profitable per auction than the Junkyard. The higher entry cost is easily offset by the improved returns.
Tips for Shipyard Success
- Complete Sal's quests immediately. The 2,500 cash in quest rewards is a significant boost to your bidding budget.
- Buy the Watch accessory. At 2000 cash, the Watch is a good mid-game accessory purchase. But do not buy it if it means you cannot afford auctions.
- Watch for Gold mutation items. The Shipyard's improved mutation rates mean Gold items (4x multiplier) appear with some regularity. These are your biggest profit drivers.
- Avoid overbidding on Shipyard Containers. Even though they are better than Junkyard Containers, the maximum you should typically pay is 600-800 cash unless you see visible high-value items.
- Consider the Selling Space gamepass. With higher-value items flowing in, more shelf space becomes increasingly valuable. See our Selling Space Gamepass Guide.
- Return to the Junkyard for lost items. Some lost items are only available in the Junkyard. Check our Lost Items Locations Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much net worth do I need to unlock the Shipyard? You need 750 net worth to unlock the Shipyard area.
Can I still access the Junkyard after unlocking the Shipyard? Yes, you can freely travel between all unlocked areas. Returning to the Junkyard for quests or lost items is always possible.
Is it worth bidding on Storage Lockers in the Shipyard? Only if you have limited cash and need a cheap auction. Storage Lockers remain C-Tier regardless of area. Your primary focus should be Shipyard Containers.
How long does it take to progress from the Shipyard to the Mansion? With efficient play, you can earn enough to unlock the Mansion within 1-2 hours of focused Shipyard grinding. Completing Sal's quests first significantly accelerates this timeline.
What is the best container in the Shipyard? The standard Shipyard Container is the best regular container in this area. It is B-Tier with moderate loot quality. For A-Tier and S-Tier containers, you need to progress to the Mansion or Secret Area.
Related Guides
- All Areas Guide - Complete area reference
- Junkyard Area Guide - Starter area guide
- Mansion Area Guide - Advanced area guide
- Area Unlock Progression Guide - How to unlock areas efficiently
- All Containers Guide - Container types by area
- Auction Tips Guide - Bidding strategies