Mercantilism is the next step required to regulate an ever-spreading empire's commercial workings. Thanks to it, the outdated Caravansaries Policy is replaced by the modern Triangular Trade, and further improvements of transport arrangements help the more 'wild' parts of your empire to flourish. Mercantilism's long distance commerce also spurs the appearance of a new type of sea vessel - the Privateer. While the first ones of these were pirate ships, preying upon civilian merchants, states soon found out how useful such ships can be and 'appropriated' them into their fleets.