A trade frigate was a kind of starship affiliated with the Galactic traders. All trade frigates were grounded at Alderaan as the Galactic Empire made its move on the Aquilaean system, and their captains and first officers were escorted to the Ministry of Transport. King Kayos of Aquilae sought to ensure that the guild would support his planet against the Empire through their frigates.
Behind the scenes
Trade frigates appeared in identical scenes in both the rough and first drafts to Episode IV, though in the first draft they were impounded at Granicus and Aquilae was renamed Townowi.