Roll-on/Roll-off Shipping from China

The vessel opens a ramp, the vehicle is driven on, and it is driven off at the other end. No container, no crane, no crating — and typically the lowest cost per unit for cargo that moves under its own power.

Drive-on, drive-offCars · buses · trucks · machineryCharged by volume

On Board

Onboard Operations

Vehicles queuing at the stern ramp of a roll-on roll-off vessel at night — Queueing at the ramp: units are called forward in the order the terminal team sets.

A car being driven up the stern ramp of a roll-on roll-off vessel — Drive-on: the vehicle is driven up the ramp under the direction of the terminal team.

A vehicle being driven along the vehicle deck inside a RoRo vessel — On the deck: the driver follows the deck marshals to the lane allocated to the unit.

Cars parked in rows on the vehicle deck of a RoRo vessel — Parked lane by lane on the deck, ready for the sea passage.

Eligibility

Suitable Cargo for RoRo

Cars, SUVs, pickups and vans
Buses and coaches of all sizes
Tractor heads, rigid trucks and trailers
Self-propelled machinery: loaders, graders, rollers
Boats and yachts on cradles

Cargo RoRo Cannot Accept

Vehicles that do not start, steer or brake
Units too tall or too wide for the vessel deck height and ramp
Cargo with loose items that will fall out on the ramp
Vehicles leaking fuel or fluids — the vessel will refuse them

Basis

Freight Measurement Basis

RoRo is charged on volume — length × width × height — or on a per-unit basis depending on the carrier and the trade. Heavy self-propelled machinery may be charged on a weight-and-measure basis, whichever produces the greater figure.

Item	How it is measured	Watch out for
Cars and light vehicles	Per unit rate by size band	Roof racks, bull bars and spare wheels add to the measured width and height
Buses and coaches	Per unit by length	A coach over 12 m may fall into a higher band
Trucks and trailers	Per unit, sometimes by deck space used	Whether the trailer travels loaded or empty
Self-propelled machinery	Volume or weight/measure whichever is greater	Buckets, blades and arms must be in the transport position before measuring

Measure the vehicle in the condition it will be shipped in — mirrors folded, attachments lowered, tyres inflated. A machine measured with the arm up is re-measured at the terminal and re-invoiced.

Risk

Deck Type: Enclosed vs Weather Deck

	Enclosed deck	Open / weather deck
Exposure to sea water and spray	No	Yes
Exposure to sun and dust	No	Yes
Cost	Higher	Lower
Availability	Limited on some services	More common
Our recommendation	For high-value cars	Acceptable with cover and a pre-load survey

Cheaper RoRo space is often weather deck. For a high-value car we say so and quote the enclosed alternative. This is a real difference, not a sales line.

Preparation

Pre-Delivery Preparation

Battery charged and the vehicle able to start, steer, stop and hold on a ramp
Fuel at the level the carrier specifies, normally low
All loose items removed from the cabin and load bed
Windows closed, doors locked, keys handed to the terminal against receipt
Existing damage photographed and noted on the receipt before handover
Alarm systems disabled or explained — a flat battery on the ramp blocks the operation

Network

Service Coverage and Transit

RoRo services do not call every port. Where a RoRo service calls the discharge port, it is usually the cheapest and fastest option. Where it does not, the cargo goes by container or breakbulk from the nearest port that does.

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Douala, Cameroon

Container, RoRo and breakbulk options.

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Lagos, Nigeria

RoRo and container services to Apapa.

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Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

RoRo and container to Jeddah Islamic Port.

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Rotterdam, Netherlands

Deep-sea RoRo and container from North China.

Ask whether a RoRo Service Calls Your Port

Tell us the destination and we will tell you plainly whether RoRo is available before you commit to container rates.

Request a Quote

Questions we get asked often

Is RoRo cheaper than a container for one car?

Usually yes, when a service calls the discharge port. The saving comes from not paying for a whole box. Where no RoRo service calls the port, container is the only option.

Can the vehicle carry cargo inside it?

Generally no. RoRo carriers require vehicles to be empty of loose goods and personal effects. Undeclared contents are a common cause of refusal at the ramp.

What happens if the vehicle will not start at discharge?

Discharge becomes a recovery operation charged to the cargo. This is why we require the vehicle to be in running condition and check it before the terminal accepts it.

How is damage claimed?

Damage noted on the terminal receipt at load and discharge is the evidence. We photograph and record condition at both ends; without that record a claim is very hard to win.

Do you ship non-running vehicles as RoRo?

No. A non-runner cannot be driven up a ramp. It goes in a container with winch loading, or as breakbulk with a crane lift.