Extending loading bay range with an infinite promethium research feels like an absolutely perfect fit to me, it'd allow megabasers to do what they do best while not interfering with your choice of range for the vast majority of players and also make it feel less arbitrary!

I created an account just to come out of the woodwork and say that I would enjoy the spoilage mechanic. I would find the issue of getting time-sensitive materials transported and processed as rapidly as possible to be an interesting challenge.
I have a small suggestion that may satisfy those that do ...