Glossary
>
r
>
Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) Shipping

Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) Shipping

Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) Shipping involves vessels designed to transport wheeled cargo, such as cars or trucks, that can be driven onto and off the ship.

Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) refers to a method of loading and unloading cargo on and off vessels, typically ships or ferries, using wheeled vehicles or trailers. The cargo is driven onto the vessel at the origin port (roll-on), transported across the sea, and then driven off at the destination port (roll-off).

Ro-Ro vessels are designed with specialized ramps and decks to facilitate the easy movement of vehicles, trucks, trailers, and other wheeled cargo. This shipping mode is particularly efficient for transporting automobiles, trucks, and heavy machinery. Ro-Ro services are commonly used in both domestic and international shipping, providing a convenient and time-saving solution for the transportation of wheeled cargo.

In contrast to conventional container shipping, characterized by the packing of cargo into standardized containers lifted onto the ship, RoRo vessels boast expansive open decks. These spacious platforms cater to a diverse array of wheeled cargo, enabling the direct drive-on of vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, cranes, and heavy machinery that typically don't fit into regular containers.

RoRo shipping is crucial for companies dealing with:

  • Finished Vehicles: Cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and buses
  • Heavy Machinery and Equipment: Construction machinery (bulldozers, cranes), agricultural equipment (tractors) and industrial machinery
  • Breakbulk Cargo: Too large and with exceptional dimensions for container shipping
  • Rollable Cargo: Such as tanks
Get true visibility for your container shipments, not just carrier updates. Try it yourself!