Recent reduced player numbers has reduced the number of available contracts, usually down to just the 3 NPC-issued cargo contracts from 3 seemingly random settlements across the entire planet.
A scenario I'm running into a lot: transit time from home to a pickup town can make one contract unviable, the required DB number makes the second unviable as I'm trying to use a Zeppelin, and the third will time out long before I get anywhere close.
Boosting available NPC contracts from 3 to 5 gives a slightly higher chance that a contract will fit someones schedule & ability, which would put them more in line with the modest payout offered and time spent on transit.
This would also give movecraft more of an importance outside of combat and increase peoples exploration of others builds, but I suppose that is more from speculation and personal enjoyment of trading mechanics.