Yeah, the comment he makes is just for conversation. He doesn't get you anything like that. The Freij II has the best stats in the game, but it isn't available at first.
I believe it's actually a plot clue. You have to go back to Joe later in the main storyline so he can use his connections to find you a code-breaking specialist.
I think the first conversation is specifically him telling you he can't get you a ship, though...