/zh/lp/blog/key-terms/what-is-roro
RoRo Shipping Explained: How Roll-On/Roll-Off Works
13/08/2026
Key Takeaways:
- If cars, trailers, or machinery can be driven or towed over short distances, RoRo shipping is a good option for transporting this type of cargo over medium and long ocean journeys.
- RoRo is often cost-effective and reduces handling damage, but pricing depends on route length, deck space used, and port fees.
- Containerized shipping can be a better option when transporting non-running vehicles, wheeled cargo which requires greater security, weather protection, or you require a wider port coverage.
If you are responsible for transporting cars, trailers, trucks, or large machinery, then the term ‘RoRo shipping’ is one which may be important to your operations. Referring to the ‘Roll-on/Roll-off’ maritime freight method, this shipping technique allows vehicles or machines to be driven or towed directly onto specialized vessels via built-in ramps at the point of origin and rolled off at their destination.
For businesses that frequently have to move this type of cargo, RoRo transport can be a useful shipping method to optimise your supply chain.
Get a quote and ship with MSC today.
How the Roll-On/Roll-Off Journey Works
With RoRo, cars and vehicles are driven or towed onboard before being secured to the deck. The general Roll-on/Roll-off process could look like the following:
- Arrival at the RoRo port of origin and pre-loading documentation checks.
- Vehicles and machinery can then be rolled directly onboard specialized vessels using stern, bow, or side ramps.
- Lashings, straps, and supports are then used to fix your cargo to the deck.
- At your destination, vehicles or machines are driven or towed off via ramps.
This whole process is designed to help make loading and unloading your wheeled cargo as quick as possible as a way to optimize your overall supply chain.
With RoRo, cars and vehicles are driven or towed onboard before being secured to the deck. The general Roll-on/Roll-off process could look like the following:
- Arrival at the RoRo port of origin and pre-loading documentation checks.
- Vehicles and machinery can then be rolled directly onboard specialized vessels using stern, bow, or side ramps.
- Lashings, straps, and supports are then used to fix your cargo to the deck.
- At your destination, vehicles or machines are driven or towed off via ramps.
This whole process is designed to help make loading and unloading your wheeled cargo as quick as possible as a way to optimize your overall supply chain.
From Cars to Heavy Equipment:
What RoRo Carries
RoRo shipping can be suitable for many types of vehicles, including:
Passenger vehicles like electric and non-electric cars, lorries, buses, and vans.
Trailers and semi-trailers that can be transported as units and often moved onboard specialist platforms.
Project cargo, like construction equipment, generators, or industrial modules, that are carried on MAFI trolleys to ensure cargo is moved as a unit.
The key factor with Roll-on/Roll-off shipping is that all vehicles or machines must be able to be towed or driven independently onboard.
Advantages of RoRo Shipping
RoRo transport offers many advantages for businesses that frequently ship vehicles. These make it an important part of many global automotive supply chains:
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RoRo’s Cost-Effective Edge
- Because it eliminates crane usage and container stuffing, RoRo freight has lower handling costs and reduced labour expenses. Add in the fact that you do not need to rent a container, and it can prove to be a cost-effective transportation method.
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Loading and Unloading Speed
- Because your wheeled cargo is driven on and off the vessel, terminal dwell time can be reduced. As a result, your overall supply chain speed improves, as does the potential reliability of your shipping schedule.
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Reducing Damage Risk
- Furthermore, having fewer handling stages means that the risks to your automotive cargo (dents, scratches, or scrapes) may be lower than those of other transportation methods.
RoRo Rates Explained
The prices of RoRo logistics are shaped by several factors. For instance, longer sea routes typically increase costs, while shorter routes which use high-frequency lanes can be more economical.
Similarly, larger or heavier vehicles or units that occupy more deck space can be more expensive than smaller or lighter models.
Port fees, ramp usage fees, and terminal handling charges all vary from region to region and can influence the total cost of your shipment.
Containerized Shipping: Your Fail-Safe RoRo Alternative
Alongside the variance in pricing, the main disadvantage of Roll-on/Roll-off shipping is its dependence on specialist harbour facilities such as ramps and lanes. This is why many businesses will continue to opt for containerized automotive shipping in many instances.
One of the main advantages of containerization over RoRo is higher security. Because containers are sealed at the point of origin and remain so until they reach their destination, cargo remains more secure. When shipping high-value goods like automotive, this can provide additional peace of mind.
Being shipped in a fully-enclosed container also reduces vehicles’ exposure to weather and sea spray or port-side damage, increasing your confidence in the safety of your cargo throughout transportation.
Unlike RoRo shipping, containerization allows for the shipment of non-running, accident-damaged, or partially dismantled vehicles, making it a flexible shipping method for salvage, restoration, or auction vehicles.
One of the main advantages of containerization over RoRo is higher security. Because containers are sealed at the point of origin and remain so until they reach their destination, cargo remains more secure. When shipping high-value goods like automotive, this can provide additional peace of mind.
Being shipped in a fully-enclosed container also reduces vehicles’ exposure to weather and sea spray or port-side damage, increasing your confidence in the safety of your cargo throughout transportation.
Unlike RoRo shipping, containerization allows for the shipment of non-running, accident-damaged, or partially dismantled vehicles, making it a flexible shipping method for salvage, restoration, or auction vehicles.
Similarly, containerized shipping is available at more global ports. This makes routing, transshipment, and inland connections easier, enhancing your overall global supply chain.
Finally, container shipping can be more cost-effective, especially for high-value vehicles (due to a lower insurance risk) or routes which have limited RoRo services.
All of this means that with containerized shipping, you will be able to ship your vehicles, parts, or machinery anywhere at any time, without additional logistical elements.
Ask MSC
Whether it’s oversized cargo, or automotive shipping, at MSC we have the size and scale to help you find the best shipping solution to meet the needs of your cargo. Our full range of containerized shipping solutions, combined with an array of inland transportation services, and cargo protection options, allow us to meet the exact specifications of your supply chain. Contact our experts today to learn more.
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FAQs
What are the disadvantages of RoRo shipping?
Some of the disadvantages RoRo shipping presents which containerization can help overcome include:
- Specialized harbour requirements can result in higher operating costs
- Fixed sailing schedules and fewer route options compared to container services
How do I prepare a vehicle for RoRo shipping?
Preparing a vehicle for RoRo shipping involves ensuring all documentation (proof of ownership, export/import paperwork, insurance) is correct. You should also ensure the vehicle has minimal fuel in the tank, disconnect any alarms, remove personal items, secure loose parts, fix leaks, and ensure the cargo can steer, brake, and roll.
RoRo vs. container: which should I choose?
RoRo shipping can be a simple, fast, and cost-effective way to transport running vehicles.
For non-running vehicles, spares or parts, container shipping is ideal. It also seals your cargo in throughout transportation, offering greater security and weather protection. Beyond this, containerization can also allow for more routing flexibility due to greater port coverage.