What delaying British convoys would change

What if Britain introduced convoys earlier or later in the Second World War?

Earlier was scarcely possible, while a delay beyond the opening months could expose shipping and alter the survival of several major warships.

Britain introduced convoys so quickly that starting appreciably earlier would have meant organizing them before the war began. A modest delay is judged manageable because Germany initially had few operational U-boats. Waiting until the Norwegian campaign or Operation Berlin would be far more dangerous, since Scharnhorst and Gneisenau could exploit unescorted shipping. The changed escort pattern might also keep Glorious, Courageous, or Royal Oak under stronger protection, creating secondary effects in Norway and later Atlantic operations.