Yes. This has to be figured out first, so not immediately. Im sure once we figure it out they will be for sale for silver aswell as obtainable for in game currency (most likely gold+job coins). We will probably be able to make any type of transports, so generally for example turning any mob in the game into a trade transport (well, most of them).
Long term.
Will keep it up as long as we have funds to run it.
Catching up to old players.
It will happen eventually. Now this not being a good answer might I add that you dont have to be at the endgame to enjoy the gameplay. PvP tournaments of all degrees, same for custom job wars, survival events and etc will give you plenty of fun while you progress towards the endgame.
Alchemy highest + is 10. You wont get there anyways, trust me. Me and Perry a while back calculated the probability of getting from +5 to +10, we lol'd when the number came up.
About bladers. Clerics holy word is 10% only, so you can actually debuff them. Force cure cooldowns are 45 seconds so they wont be able to spam them. Lastly, I think blader currently has the most powerful ancient skills in the game, bladers just went from 0 to hero in pve.
Edit:
Forgot to mention, 6+ star trades are implemented (doesnt work on the UI but theyre there, I'll post a list of the scaling (number of goods)). You will be able to purchase transports that have larger bags for gold/coins.
Reminding you of those weekly contribution and alchemy achievement rewards
*refresh* 
