I would think MOST new players would start the game in single player and start a brand new universe, rather than just jumping into multiplayer. When you start a brand new game first impressions are really important. If they start the game and can't figure out what to do, or the universe is boring and empty, they might not come back. I know the tutorials are being improved to help the new players, but a lot of people don't want to mess with tutorials, and just jump into the game.
IDEA: Maybe the game could start with a basic mission and you could be "loaned" a ship from the trading guild that can't be sold. You could use this ship for a couple milk run missions then get enough credits to buy or build your own ship.