About escort, some thinkings from my experience on disco. Snak already writed about instakill of some transports like trains. This is main reason, why in really only good armoured transports could be escorted. Another just would be blowed while enemy tank your damage.
But, from another side - good armoured and armed transport just no need escort. Instead of escort, in most cases better bring yet one transport and make convoy.
And third one - escort needed only if you have pirates which would force you drop cargo, or just blow you as terrorists. Common powertrade ship dont have mortal enemies and just pay money to pirates. For why he would hire escorts, i dont know.
Next, we need really encourage pirates groups. Unfortunately, very often we have things like with Norovich, i'm had salty experience too, when people by ooRP actions really kick off any wishes to play for pirates. Without pirates we no need escorts. Solo pirates not thing for 4.3 battletransports.
And last - escort is totally boring. I literally fall asleep while escorting in formation.