Sea freight
RoRo Shipping
Roll-on/roll-off shipping for cars, vans, trucks, buses, plant and any self-propelled or wheeled equipment — driven aboard a dedicated vessel rather than packed into a container, on lanes worldwide.
How RoRo works
A RoRo vessel is a floating multi-storey car park. Cargo is driven up a ramp, parked on a deck and lashed down for the voyage, then driven off at the other end. Nothing is lifted by crane and nothing is packed into a box, which removes the two operations that most often damage a vehicle. It is the standard way vehicles and mobile plant move internationally, and it is usually both cheaper and simpler than containerising them.
RoRo or container?
RoRo suits anything that runs and steers, and anything too tall or too wide for a container. Containerised shipping suits vehicles that do not run, high-value cars that benefit from being sealed away from handling, and consignments where several vehicles can share one box. Non-running vehicles can still travel RoRo on a trailer or by being winched, but that has to be declared at booking because it changes the handling.
- Cars, vans and motorcycles
- Trucks, trailers and buses
- Excavators, loaders and agricultural plant
- Boats on trailers
- Static and non-running units, by arrangement
- Oversized units too tall or wide to containerise
Preparing a vehicle for shipment
Most RoRo delays are preparation, not shipping. Vehicles must be roadworthy enough to be driven on and off, clean enough to satisfy biosecurity at the destination, and empty: personal effects and loose items in the cabin are not covered and many carriers refuse them outright. Fuel is normally required to be low — often around a quarter tank — and alarms should be disabled or explained. Destination biosecurity rules on soil and organic residue are strict in several markets, and a wash before delivery to the port is the cheapest inspection insurance there is.
Documentation
A vehicle needs more paperwork than general cargo because it has an identity and an owner. Expect to provide proof of ownership or a registration document, the commercial invoice or bill of sale, and the chassis or VIN, and to complete an export declaration. Many destinations apply age limits, emissions standards or homologation requirements to imported vehicles — those are set by the importing country, so check them before you buy, not after the vehicle is on the quay. We prepare and file the shipping documentation and will tell you what the destination side needs.
What travels by RoRo
Add roro to any shipment when you request a quote, on imports and exports alike.
Get a RoRo quoteRoRo: common questions
What is RoRo shipping?
Roll-on/roll-off shipping carries anything that drives or rolls onto a purpose-built vessel under its own wheels, rather than being lifted into a container. It suits cars, vans, trucks, buses, agricultural and construction plant, and trailers — usually at lower cost than containerising the same unit, and without the loading and lashing work a container requires.
Can I ship personal belongings inside the vehicle?
Generally no. Most RoRo carriers and destination customs authorities require vehicles to be shipped empty, and goods left inside are frequently a customs violation as well as being uninsured against theft. If you need to move belongings alongside a vehicle, containerising both together is the compliant route.
What documents do I need to ship a vehicle?
The original title or registration document, a commercial invoice or bill of sale, your photo ID, and where applicable an export declaration and proof that any finance on the vehicle is settled. Some destinations add age limits, emissions standards or pre-shipment inspection — we confirm the destination's requirements before booking, since a vehicle refused entry has to be shipped back at your cost.
Also available
Complete the move with our other services
Cargo Insurance
All-risk marine and air cargo cover for the declared value of your goods, arranged at quote stage on any lane.
View serviceWarehousing
Bonded and general storage at origin and destination, with pick, pack and onward distribution.
View serviceDoor to Door
Collection at the shipper's premises and delivery to the consignee's door, with everything between handled by us.
View serviceProject Cargo
Out-of-gauge, heavy-lift and breakbulk consignments that will not travel in a standard container.
View serviceAsk about any of these when you request a quote or get in touch.
Ready to ship? Tell us the route and we will quote it.
Any country to any country, import or export — send us the origin, destination and cargo details and we'll come back with a competitive rate within one business day.