The HT-2200 Medium Freighter is endlessly modifiable like its lighter cousin, the YT-1300. It came onto the market at least shortly after the Battle of Yavin. Overall, the heavier HT-2200 is capable of transferring a much larger cargo load between starports. Although it is a more profitable ship to operate, it requires significant modifications before it can hold its own in stellar combat. The HT-2200 was released shortly after the tremendously successful YT-1300 (CEC attempted bank on the success of its YT-1300), and answered the need (attempted to appeal to the medium freighter market) for a freighter capable of hauling more massive and varied cargo loads than its cousin could support. But poor reviews such as those from Galactic Defence Review and bad word-of-mouth caused the HT-2200 market to dry and as a result it appears that this design is becoming an overall failure for CEC.

    The YT-1300 often had the entire cargo area being continuous and unable to support a variety of environmental conditions (such as super-cooled compartments) without drastic modifications. On the other hand, the HT-2200 featured four cargo bays, each one capable of being programmed with its own life support settings (such as specific gravity and temperature). In the same flight, one HT-2200 could carry cryogenic bio samples and zero-G crystalline chips (or perishable foodstuffs and biomaterial in cryogenic stasis, and zero-G crystal communication matrices). It is this capability in combination with its overall cargo capacity that makes it easier for a pilot and crew to secure high profit margins. Because of its multiple bays and cargo capacity, these characteristics have encouraged many shippers and smugglers to get their hands on this craft. Interestingly, it is known that the Rebels have purchased these craft for use by their SpecForces. However, it must be noted that there is performance cost to the HT-2200's extra cargo capacity; a ship with such high space displacement becomes infinitely less manoeuvrable.

    Being aware that a large percentage of its customer base were involved in less-than-legal freight runs, CEC had the HT-2200 equipped with a Novaldex shield generator, two turreted single-barrel laser cannons, reinforced its main superstructure, and lined the hull with trimantium plates which provided an unusually high tensile strength. This craft is capable of withstanding twice the punishment, both in terms of shear forces and focused energy than the YT-1300. The weapons emplacements are mounted transversely from each other, on the dorsal and ventral surfaces directly amidships. This makes the entire combat sphere within the coverage of at least one laser cannon. Nonetheless, the HT-2200 is lightly armed for its size and despite its improved shield and hull ratings, it performs significantly worse in combat situations than the lighter and more manoeuvrable YT-1300. Compounding these woes is the fact that this design has acquired a reputation of being "pirate bait". Interestingly though, it is known that pirates themselves employ this craft.

    Its hull superstructure and power cabling is capable of supporting the installation of up to an additional six weapon emplacements. It must be noted that equipping a HT-2200 with eight weapons is not only incredibly expensive, but also highly illegal. The power generator which comes with the HT-2200 is already taxed to feed energy for the standard two weapon systems already provided. Thus any captain wishing to increase their weapons' load out need to replace the existing power generator. Nonetheless, the star lanes are full of HT-2200s that have had their defences upgraded. Galactic Defence Review did not give a good review for the HT-2200's first production announcement, it rated the craft with a thrust-to-mass ratio of "unacceptable". Compounding the poor review is the fact that the HT-2200 suffers from being unable to deliver significant lightspeed, a low lift/mass ratio, and inadequate thrusters. Furthermore, inadequate marketing in terms of advertisement and manufacturer's support was another of the major drawbacks to this design.

    Initial specifications for this craft had a single Koensayr drive mounted directly behind the cockpit module. The original justification for this placement was to avoid undue heating of the cargo compartments. However, most captains of these craft opted to add more engines to their HT-2200. The most common was the installation of Incom's 1L10 Drive along the main axis body of the ship. The two engine model is an incredibly common sight plying the star lanes. Internally, the HT-2200 maintains one refresher, eight crew quarters, captain’s quarters, co-pilot quarters, medical bay, galley, two escape pods, and a four station cockpit (pilot, co-pilot, technical and shields/weapons).