RORO Shipping for Cars, Motorhomes, Trucks and Machinery

What is RORO shipping and how does it work?

RORO ships are floating car parks with internal ramps and adjustable car levels inside the hold. At the departure port, stevedores drive your vehicle on board, park it in the hold and lash it down so it cannot move at sea. At the destination port it is driven off, cleared through customs and released to you or your agent.

Because nothing has to be lifted or packed into a container, RORO is simple and usually cheaper. High and heavy space inside the ship takes tall and heavy vehicles, from motorhomes and expedition trucks to buses, tractors and plant.

• Your vehicle stays on its wheels from port to port
• It travels in the enclosed hold, protected from the weather
• No container loading or trucking costs
• Weekly or regular sailings on main routes

What is a RORO ship?

A RORO ship, or roll-on/roll-off vessel, is a cargo ship built for wheeled cargo that is driven on and off instead of being lifted by crane. Vehicles cross the oceans on pure car carriers (PCC) and pure car and truck carriers (PCTC). From the outside they look like a tall box with no windows; inside they work like a multi-storey car park with many vehicle levels.

Vehicles are driven in over a heavy stern ramp, or a side ramp on some ships, and up internal ramps to their level. Some levels can be raised or lowered on hoists, so one voyage can carry cars on low levels and motorhomes, trucks, buses and machinery in the taller high and heavy space. Each vehicle is then lashed to fixed points in the floor with webbing straps or chains, so it cannot move in heavy seas, and it travels inside the ship's enclosed hold, out of the weather and sea spray.

RORO is the cheapest way to ship a vehicle that runs because nothing has to be packed, lifted or unpacked. There is no container to hire, load or truck, loading each vehicle takes minutes, and one ship spreads its costs over thousands of vehicles.

Pure car carrier (PCC)

Built mainly for cars, with fixed, low vehicle levels. Takes cars, 4x4s and vans.

Pure car and truck carrier (PCTC)

Adds liftable levels and high and heavy space, so it also takes motorhomes, expedition trucks, buses, tractors and plant.

Ro-ro and container ship (con-ro)

Carries containers and driven cargo on the same voyage. Used on some Atlantic routes.

Should I ship by RORO or in a container?

Choose RORO

For a single driveable vehicle, for anything taller than about 2.5 m, and for trucks, buses and machinery. Usually the lowest price.

Choose a container

For classic or high-value vehicles, non-runners, vehicles travelling with belongings, several vehicles at once, or routes without RORO.

Container shipping: sizes and prices →

How is RORO shipping priced?

Carriers use one of four methods, and the one used depends on the route and the vehicle:

Per unit

A set price for a car, a 4x4 or a motorhome, often with height bands.

Cubic metres (m³)

Length × width × height, to the nearest centimetre. A car of 4.5 × 1.8 × 1.5 m is about 12.2 m³.

Weight or measurement (W/M)

The carrier charges on weight or volume, whichever is greater, so heavy cargo is charged by weight.

Metre length

A rate per metre of length: at US$300 a metre, a 6.2 m vehicle costs US$1,860 in sea freight.

On top of the sea rate come carrier surcharges, mainly BAF (bunker adjustment factor, for fuel) and LSL (low sulphur surcharge), and the bill of lading fee. Then there are port and customs costs at each end: terminal handling (THC), port and cargo dues, and customs clearance. Many quotes leave out the destination costs; we tell you what to expect so there are no surprises.

What does the RORO price include?

Can I leave belongings in the vehicle?

It depends on the carrier and the vehicle. Standard cars normally have to be empty apart from fixed equipment, a spare wheel and tools. Motorhomes and campers can usually carry personal belongings if they are secured in a locked area and out of sight. Nothing hazardous may travel, and spare fuel cans must be removed.

What you can pack and how →

Which ports do RORO ships use?

UK and Europe

Southampton, Tilbury, Liverpool, Bristol, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, and Mediterranean ports including Limassol

North America

Halifax, Baltimore, Brunswick, New York, Galveston, Port Hueneme, Tacoma, Veracruz

Central and South America

Manzanillo (Panama), Cartagena, Zárate, Montevideo, San Antonio, Callao, Guayaquil

Africa

Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Walvis Bay, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, and West Africa

Australia and New Zealand

Brisbane, Sydney (Port Kembla), Melbourne, Fremantle, Auckland, Lyttelton, Wellington

Asia and the Middle East

Major ports in Japan, China, South Korea, South-East Asia, India and the Gulf, on request

Full list of RORO ports →

How do I prepare my vehicle for RORO?

• Run the fuel down to about a quarter of a tank
• Wash the vehicle; Australia and New Zealand also inspect the underbody
• Switch off the alarm and provide a working key
• Remove loose items and anything of value from the cab
• Take gas bottles out or have them certified gas-free, and declare lithium leisure batteries
• Photograph every side, the interior and the odometer before drop-off

How does a RoRo shipment work?

1. Get your quote Fill in the 2-minute form for instant pricing.
2. Book We confirm the carrier, sailing and port delivery instructions.
3. Drop off Deliver the vehicle to the port terminal, usually 4–7 days before sailing, or we arrange collection.
4. Sea crossing We track the vessel and keep you updated.
5. Clear and collect Customs is cleared by our broker, a local agent or your own; collection is normally 2–3 working days after arrival.

Can you ship trucks, fleets and machinery by RORO?

We ship single units and regular volumes for dealers, fleet and rental operators, contractors and exporters, including new and used trucks, buses, tractors and construction plant in high and heavy space inside the ship. Send us the length, width, height and weight, and whether the unit is self-propelled, for a firm price.

Get a business quote