diff --git a/src/core/game/PlayerImpl.ts b/src/core/game/PlayerImpl.ts
index 13d884c32..2a0c050e9 100644
--- a/src/core/game/PlayerImpl.ts
+++ b/src/core/game/PlayerImpl.ts
@@ -937,12 +937,28 @@ export class PlayerImpl implements Player {
       gc.gameMap === GameMapType.Baikal
     ) {
       // Ships must stay on their team's side
-      if (unitType === UnitType.Warship || unitType === UnitType.TradeShip) {
-        if (!this.isInTeamSpawnZone(targetTile)) return false;
+      if (
+        unitType === UnitType.Warship ||
+        unitType === UnitType.TradeShip ||
+        unitType === UnitType.TransportShip
+      ) {
+        if (!this.isInTeamSpawnZone(targetTile)) {
+          this.mg.displayMessage(
+            "Ships cannot cross the midpoint in Nuke Wars",
+            MessageType.ATTACK_FAILED,
+            this.id(),
+          );
+          return false;
+        }
       }
 
       // During preparation phase, only build in own territory
       if (this.mg.inPreparationPhase() && !this.isInTeamSpawnZone(targetTile)) {
+        this.mg.displayMessage(
+          "During preparation phase, you can only build in your own territory",
+          MessageType.ATTACK_FAILED,
+          this.id(),
+        );
         return false;
       }
     }
diff --git a/src/core/game/TransportShipUtils.ts b/src/core/game/TransportShipUtils.ts
index f0bc25b8e..b93be3333 100644
--- a/src/core/game/TransportShipUtils.ts
+++ b/src/core/game/TransportShipUtils.ts
@@ -49,18 +49,7 @@ export function canBuildTransportShip(
     }
 
     if (myPlayerBordersOcean && otherPlayerBordersOcean) {
-      // In Nuke Wars on Baikal, ensure transport source/destination are on same half.
-      const gc = game.config().gameConfig();
-      if (
-        gc.gameMode === GameMode.NukeWars &&
-        gc.gameMap === GameMapType.Baikal
-      ) {
-        const mapWidth = game.width();
-        const wantLeft = player.smallID() % 2 === 1;
-        const dstX = game.x(dst);
-        const dstLeft = dstX < Math.floor(mapWidth / 2);
-        if (wantLeft !== dstLeft) return false;
-      }
+      // Note: Nuke Wars midpoint restrictions are now handled in PlayerImpl.canBuild
       return transportShipSpawn(game, player, dst);
     } else {
       return false;