The ABCs of RoRo Shipping: A Comprehensive Guide for Car Owners

The RoRo car shipping process

The RoRo shipping process is relatively straightforward. Below are the key steps involved:

• Preparation of documentation: Car owners must provide the necessary documents for international car shipping. This includes an accurate vehicle weight declaration, a completed shipping note (a.k.a. dock receipt), and any other required documents depending on the destination. Reach out to your auto shipping company for further guidance.
• Drop-off at the port: Once the shipment is arranged with all the required information, owners bring their vehicles to the designated port. The owner must ensure that the vehicle is in an acceptable condition for shipping and note any existing damages pre-shipping.
• Loading onto the ship: Next, the vehicles are driven directly onto the specialized vessel using a built-in ramp. Once on board, the car is securely parked and fastened to the deck to prevent movement during transit.
• Unloading and collection: Upon arrival, vehicles are simply driven off the ship. Owners or their representatives can then collect the car after inspecting the car for any damage and completing any necessary importation procedures.

Preparing the vehicle for shipping

To ensure a smooth roll-on roll-off car shipping experience, make sure that your car meets the condition requirements provided by your chosen freight transport company. Generally, this includes the following:

• The fuel systems must be original, not modified;
• The vehicle must not be leaking any fluids (e.g., gasoline, diesel, lubricants);
• If you have an EV (Electric Vehicle), the battery should have a sufficient state of charge (SOC);
• Windows must not be broken in a way that blocks view or creates sharp edges;
• All personal belongings and any loose items must be removed from the car;
• The vehicle should be cleaned, both inside and out, to meet biosecurity standards and prevent the spread of invasive species (this includes removing any soil, dirt, and debris that may be present).
• Any other requirements, depending on your vehicle and the shipping company’s guidelines.

Biosecurity is a particularly important factor to consider since the preventative measures will not be the same for all destinations or RoRo shipping companies.

Some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, for example, have strict enforcement measures for specific types of pests. High-risk shipments to those countries will follow unique procedures, including fumigation or heat treatments. Therefore, car owners should work closely with their RoRo operators to understand which requirements apply to them.

Advantages of RoRo shipping

Although there are other vehicle shipping methods available, RoRo offers many great advantages to car owners. Here are the most important:

Efficiency

RoRo shipping maximizes efficiency during loading and unloading by using specialized rolltrailers and built-in ramps in the vessels.

Cost-effectiveness

Since it doesn’t use containers and requires less handling, RoRo is considered a cost-effective option for international car shipping.

Flexibility

RoRo vessels can accommodate a wide range of vehicles, from standard cars to larger vehicles like trucks and buses.

Safety

While it offers less protection than containers, RoRo car shipping is very secure. The vessels are designed like mobile parking platforms, equipped with deck anchoring for added security.

Frequent sailings

Many RoRo shipping companies offer regular sailings to popular routes, providing car owners with plentiful options when planning their shipments.

Environmental sustainability

The RoRo shipping industry is becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, taking the necessary steps to reduce its footprint.

Höegh Autoliners is building 12 new state-of-the-art Aurora Class vessels — the largest and most environmentally friendly carriers ever built. The first vessel will be delivered in August 2024 and will have more than 50% lower carbon footprint than the current industry standard.

Conclusion

Roll-on-roll-off car shipping is a convenient, secure, and efficient way to transport your vehicle across borders. However, some research and preparation will be needed to ensure that your vehicle meets the industry requirements and can be accepted on board without issues.

If you have any questions regarding RoRo car shipping or would like to get a quote from us, don’t hesitate to get in touch!