OSRS Sailing Courier Tasks and Contracts Guide
© gamerblurb.com | Published on 11/22/2025 at 8:10 PM CST (USA)
Take a quick ride across the coast and you will see why players search for courier tasks info nonstop. This guide breaks down how the system works so you can move cargo cleanly, earn Sailing XP, and stack coins with no confusion. We’ve included a link to the full list of tasks towards the bottom of the guide as well.
How Courier Tasks Work
Courier tasks are port jobs that send you from one notice board to a destination port with crates of cargo. You pick a task, collect the crates, load your boat, sail to the target port, unload the crates, then cash out the XP and coins. Every job pays the same XP as coins earned, and the total scales with travel distance. Longer routes hit harder in profit and XP.
Picking Up Jobs
Tasks always start at a notice board. The board you accept the job from becomes the start point for XP calculations. If the pickup spot sits at another port, the sail to that spot also counts toward your total XP. It is simple but very easy to miss if you skip reading the board text.
Moving Crates Smoothly
When you accept a job, your hands must be empty before taking crates from the ledger table. Some jobs use several crates, so expect extra trips to your boat. Use your crewmates if you want faster hauling. Crates go into the cargo hold, never the deck. If you teleport or get moved by any effect, the crates vanish, so never drink strange sealed crate drinks during a courier run.
Crewmate Jobs
Crewmates carry crates for you when ordered. Their deckhandiness value tells you how many crates they can hold at once. They simply walk crates from the ledger to the cargo hold. They cannot sail ahead or unload for you, but they save time when you stack multi crate jobs.
Contracts Explained
Some players call these jobs contracts, but contracts are not an official mechanic. Courier tasks are the closest thing. They deliver cargo, pay coins and XP, and exist across every port tier. If you see players mention contracts, they almost always mean courier tasks.
Level Limits
You start with one task slot at level one. Extra slots unlock at levels seven, twenty eight, fifty six, and eighty four. More slots means more jobs running at the same time, giving greater XP output when traveling between ports.
What You Will Need
A boat with a cargo hold
Free hands to collect crates
Room in the cargo hold
A crewmate if you want faster loading
A safe path with no risky teleports
A plan to avoid storms or rapids when carrying crates
Extra Tips for a Clean Run
Always start at the board closest to your route for better XP
Keep one slot free if you like stacking long distance runs
Avoid sealed crate drinks during jobs so your boat never snaps away
Bring a crewmate for two crate tasks to save walking time
Try chaining ports that sit in a line so your deliveries flow smoother
To see the full list of tasks, check out this OSRS wiki page.
Final Blurb
Courier tasks look simple but they become one of the easiest steady XP and coin sources once your routes open up. They scale with distance, they chain neatly across early ports, and they fit perfectly into any Sailing progression plan. Keep an eye on your cargo, avoid sudden teleports, and enjoy steady rewards every time you dock.
FAQ
How do I start a courier task
Visit any notice board, accept a listed job, then collect crates at the ledger table.
Do courier tasks pay good XP
They pay steady XP and the rate climbs with route distance, so long routes feel great.
Can I cancel a task
Yes, use the cancel task option at a port master or in your captain log.
Does crew help with loading
Crewmates, except for Burb, carry crates for you which cuts walking time during multi crate tasks.
Why did my crates disappear
Any forced movement like sealed crate teleports removes all cargo from your hold.
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