@Mímir there are factions that are haul nonstop, fill PoBs, haul RP cargo etc.
Then there's barges
I won't out who they are because I myself try to limit the times I go to them unless I have some new fun angle and you need to figure out who they are for yourself, but there are very active people that are doing just that and never even check player list unless you are a known dick. Piracy has changed, now you need to provide a service to the trader in the form of a fun interaction, because it's so easy to avoid people.
Also, Cortez is a bad example - you can get a bomber and seriously contest anyone without a repair ship. There are still unbalanced PvE zones where one side dominates that completely erase any chance for PvP
