Serving the Med ports with a transhipment service using common feeders is not a competitive option from the cost aspect in the current environment. It can be an option in less competitive trades where there is still a margin in freight rates. The pattern used by Maersk requires a total control over terminal operations and a clockwork vessel scheduling. In the globalisation race, all lines are compelled to serve all ports. All ports will not be served in the same way.
Reference is made here to Black Sea, East Med and North Africa.
All these markets are fragmented. Ports are still underdeveloped and sometimes very expensive. Many of the ports require geared vessels. Others can even still not handle 40'. Direct calls cannot be justified yet and will not be in the near future.