Thanks guys.
Your answers pretty well goes with my gut feeling on the subjects, but it is always nice to have it confirmed by others.
Will keep you posted. Lt.z.S. Gerhard Thiele is currently roaming the Eastern Mediteranean with one Ore Carrier and one Large Merchant to his credit.
The trouble, as always, is to find the time IRL. SH3 is a very time consuming pasttime.
Cheers!