Sorry, I can't seem to replicate this issue on my end, but I do see the game-crash with your save file (crashes in any shop or trade menu that calls on canMergeWith()). If you have an earlier save from before the latest release that is working fine, I think something may have happened in between versions.
As far as item objects are concerned, there was a new parameter that was added to the item master object for use in the recent ship item update on the latest release. I just want to make sure it wasn't that value in particular causing the issue, or if there are any save editors that touch items that may have broken something. One we can fix on our end, the other we would have no control over.
I may need another save file from the latest version of the game to compare, if anyone is willing to share. It doesn't need to have the save exact items (though having a hardlight suit might be helpful), but items that have been equipped and removed. But like I said, I couldn't replicate it on my end and it seems to be an isolated issue if other players aren't reporting it--at least for the moment.