RO-RO Shipping (Roll-on/Roll-off)
RO-RO — roll-on/roll-off — is a method of moving cargo by sea, not a category of cargo. The vessel has a ramp. Anything that can be driven or towed goes up it on its own wheels, is lashed to the deck for the crossing, and is driven off at the other end. Nothing is lifted by crane and nothing is packed into a box.
What travels RO-RO
- cars, vans, pickups and motorhomes;
- trucks, tractor units, buses and coaches;
- trailers, semi-trailers, tankers and other towed units;
- agricultural machinery — tractors, combines, sprayers, balers;
- construction and mining plant — excavators, loaders, dumpers, mobile cranes;
- tracked machines and static cargo that does not roll at all, loaded onto a roll-trailer (mafi) and towed aboard by a terminal tug.
That last point is the one most people miss. A machine does not have to be self-propelled to go RO-RO. It has to be rollable, which is a much lower bar.
RO-RO compared with a container
| RO-RO | Container | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is loaded | Driven or towed up the ramp | Loaded through the doors, or lifted in from above on an open top or flat rack |
| Size ceiling | Set by the deck clearance and ramp capacity of the specific vessel | Set by internal container dimensions; past those it becomes out of gauge |
| Condition of the unit | Must steer, brake and roll — or be loaded onto a roll-trailer | A non-running unit is fine; it is winched in |
| Enclosure | Open vehicle deck, no separate packing | Enclosed and sealed at loading |
| Belongings inside | Carriers as a rule do not permit them | Possible where declared and where both countries allow it |
| Several small units | Each unit handled and charged in its own right | Several vehicles can share one container as a single booking |
Condition and preparation
- Running units must actually run. Terminal drivers take them up the ramp; a unit that dies on the ramp holds up the entire loading operation, and that is charged to whoever supplied it.
- Non-running units are not excluded, but they need a roll-trailer and terminal handling equipment. That is arranged in advance, not discovered on the day of loading.
- Loose personal effects and cargo inside the vehicle are, as a rule, prohibited by carriers on RO-RO. If you need belongings to travel with the vehicle, that is a container job — see shipping cars overseas and household goods by sea.
- Fuel level, disconnected batteries, disabled alarms and a set of keys handed to the terminal: the exact requirements come from the carrier and from the ports at each end, so we confirm them per booking rather than publish a list that may not apply to your ship.
- Clean the machine. Several countries inspect arriving plant for soil, seeds and plant material, and will order cleaning at your cost or refuse entry outright. Steam-clean the underside, tracks, buckets and cab floor before delivery to the port.
Height, width and weight limits
There is no single universal RO-RO maximum, and any forwarder who gives you one without asking which ship is guessing. Deck clearance, ramp capacity and permitted axle loads differ between vessels and between services. The honest answer to “will it fit” is: send the figures and we will check them against the tonnage actually calling on that routing. We need length, width, height at the highest fixed point, gross weight and the number of axles.
When RO-RO is the wrong answer
Container shipping wins when no RO-RO service calls at the ports you need; when the unit must be sealed and out of the weather; when you are shipping several small vehicles that would fit into one box together; or when belongings have to travel with the vehicle. It is worth pricing both before you decide, and we are happy to compare the two on your specific routing.
Related services
- Shipping cars overseas — the same question from the owner’s side: documents, preparation, container versus RO-RO for one car or several.
- Out of gauge and project cargo — for pieces that have to be lifted rather than rolled.
