A method of ocean freight transportation where vehicles and wheeled cargo are driven on and off the vessel using ramps, rather than being lifted by cranes. RoRo shipping is the most efficient and cost-effective way to transport cars, trucks, heavy machinery, and other wheeled equipment internationally.
What is RoRo Shipping?
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping is a specialized form of maritime transport designed for vehicles and wheeled cargo. Unlike container shipping where cargo is lifted with cranes, RoRo vessels have built-in ramps that allow vehicles to be driven directly onto and off the ship, under their own power or using specialized towing equipment for inoperable units.
How RoRo Shipping Works
Vehicle Preparation
Inspection, documentation, fuel reduction to quarter-tank, alarm deactivation, and pre-ship condition reporting before the vessel arrives.
Roll-on (Loading)
Vehicles are driven up the stern or side ramp onto the vessel. Internal ramps provide access to multiple decks. A modern PCTC loads 100+ vehicles per hour.
Securing and Lashing
Professional stevedores park and secure each vehicle with wheel chocks, straps, and chains. Lashing standards follow IMO CSS Code requirements.
Ocean Transit
Typical transit times range from 10 to 30 days depending on the route. Vehicles remain secured on deck throughout the voyage.
Roll-off (Discharge)
At the discharge port, stevedores drive vehicles off and place them in the terminal yard for inspection and collection.
Types of RoRo Vessels
Pure Car Carrier (PCC)
4,000-6,000 vehicle capacity with 10-13 fixed decks. Deck clearance of 1.6-2.0m, optimized for standard passenger cars. The workhorse for OEM automotive shipments.
Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC)
6,000-8,500 vehicle capacity with adjustable hoistable decks. Clearance of 2.5-6.5m handles everything from sedans to buses and high-and-heavy machinery.
ConRo (Container + RoRo) hybrid vessels combine container capacity on upper decks with RoRo decks below, optimizing revenue on routes needing both cargo types. Heavy equipment carriers handle mining and construction machinery with reinforced weather decks.
What Can Be Shipped?
Cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, buses, motorcycles, construction machinery, agricultural equipment, military vehicles, trailers, railway carriages on bogies, and boats on trailers. If it has wheels or can be placed on a wheeled platform, it can move by RoRo.
RoRo vs Container Shipping
Choose RoRo When
Shipping any wheeled vehicle or equipment. Cost matters: RoRo is 30-50% cheaper per unit. Speed matters: drive on/off in minutes. You're moving volume: 100+ vehicles per hour throughput.
Choose Container When
Maximum weather protection needed for high-value units. The vehicle is inoperable and can't be driven. No RoRo terminal exists at the destination port. You're combining the vehicle with non-wheeled cargo.
RoRo Shipping Costs
How RoRo rates work
Rates are based on Revenue Tons (RT): Length (m) x Width (m) x Height (m) / 3. A standard sedan at 4.5m x 1.8m x 1.5m = 4.05 RT, costing $200-600 depending on the route. SUVs and trucks generate higher RT and higher rates. Oversized or inoperable vehicles incur additional surcharges.
Key cost factors beyond the base rate: terminal handling ($100-300 per vehicle), documentation ($50-150), insurance (2-3% of vehicle value), and inland transport to/from port. Peak season (Q4) brings higher rates; annual contracts with carriers provide the best pricing.
Major Trade Routes
The busiest RoRo lanes run Asia to Middle East (Japan, Korea, China to UAE, Saudi Arabia, with multiple weekly sailings), Europe to Africa (Germany, Belgium to West Africa, with strong used vehicle demand), and Asia to Oceania (Japan, Thailand to Australia, New Zealand, with strict biosecurity requirements for right-hand drive markets).
Before You Ship
- Research destination country import regulations and age restrictions
- Arrange comprehensive marine cargo insurance
- Document vehicle condition with photos and a detailed inspection report
- Book with a forwarder experienced in RoRo, not a general freight agent
- Reduce fuel to quarter-tank (carriers reject overfilled vehicles)
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car by RoRo?
A standard sedan costs $200-600 on major trade lanes (Japan to Middle East, Europe to West Africa). SUVs run $400-900. Costs vary by route, season, and vehicle dimensions. The rate is calculated per Revenue Ton, not per vehicle, so larger vehicles pay proportionally more.
How long does RoRo shipping take?
Ocean transit typically takes 10-30 days depending on the route. Add 3-7 days for port processing on each end (documentation, customs, terminal handling). A Japan-to-Dubai shipment takes roughly 20 days port-to-port; Europe to West Africa runs 14-21 days.
Is RoRo shipping safe for luxury vehicles?
RoRo is standard for luxury OEM shipments. Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes all ship production vehicles by RoRo. Vehicles are individually secured with professional lashing, and damage rates are low. The main exposure is salt spray during loading/unloading. For maximum protection, some shippers use enclosed containers, but RoRo with proper PDI at destination is the industry standard.