Here's an idea I just had the other day. Could offshore cities/small countries host big transhipment harbours?

Let's say a big container comes from America/Asia to Malta and they can transship in Malta for a very low cost and then ship out to other cities in the Mediterranian.

Would this be fesable?

None?

Hi 1772,

yes, actually Malta is already a big transhipment hub for containerized cargo.
CMA-CGM, MAERSK LINE, CSAV Norasia and other shipping lines are bringing the cargo with mother vessels from all around the world and distributing further with smaller, feeder vessels.

http://www.maltafreeport.com.mt/freeport/

The hub itself needs to be placed in a strategic location. It not depends much of a size of the city or country.

The biggest transhipment hubs in Mediteran area are: Algeciras, Port Tangier, Port Said, Maraxlokk, Gioia Tauro, Piraeus, Istanbul.

Best regards

Basically, Singapores rise was based exactly on this idea.

Thanks guys!