RORO (Roll On, Roll Off) Car Shipping

Roll-on/roll-off car shipping, or RORO transport, is one of the primary ways vehicles are shipped overseas and internationally. Suppose you plan to ship a car to an international location. In that case, it’s essential to understand your available options and how the process works from beginning to end. In this post, we’ll review some of the details of RORO car shipping and explain the key points and advantages of roll-on/roll-off transport.

Modern RoRo vessels are purpose-built vehicle carriers with built-in ramps that allow road vehicles to drive on and off quickly, making this RORO service the best way for shipping cars and light trucks at scale. Unlike containerized or break-bulk loading, RORO shipping vessels secure static cargo inside protected decks, so the car shipping method mirrors how car manufacturers move new vehicles between RoRo ports worldwide.

For everyday Car Transport needs, from a platform vehicle or SUV to motorcycles and vans, we ship cars using streamlined car shipping services trusted by leading car shipping companies, keeping handling low, documentation simple, and port delivery predictable. Because the decks are engineered for diverse cargo types, RoRo vessels handle both personal moves and dealer transfers with the same reliable vehicle transportation, turning RoRo shipments into a fast, low-touch path when shipping options must stay efficient and cost-effective.

What Is RORO Car Shipping?

In the simplest terms, RORO car shipping is a method of auto transport that involves loading the vehicle onto a boat by “rolling” or driving it onto the ship and securing it in a cargo area. RORO is such a popular delivery method because it simplifies the loading and unloading process so that the shipper can more easily accommodate the shipment of multiple vehicles at once.

The vehicle must be delivered (or driven) to the nearest hauling port for loading to use RORO transport. This part of the transport process is called overland shipping (see below), which is done via the standard method of auto transport on a truck designed to haul vehicles. Once the car arrives, it is “rolled on” to the ship, which is secured in a cargo area to prevent it from moving during transit.

• RoRo international car shipping typically costs $900–$2,500, with vehicle size, route distance, port fees, and seasonal demand all influencing the final rate.
• Ocean transit on RoRo vessels takes 2–6 weeks depending on origin port, destination, and vessel frequency; high-traffic trade lanes deliver faster than secondary ports.
• Vehicles must be fully operable with valid documentation, customs clearance paperwork, and fuel limited to one-quarter tank to meet port compliance requirements before loading.

A-1 Auto Transport is a leading local, long-distance, and international auto shipper with over two decades of experience. With offices in most major metro areas, we accommodate any car shipping request, regardless of where it’s shipped to or from. To learn more about our services or to get a FREE instant price quote, call us today at 1-800-452-2880! A certified agent gives All estimates in real time and are always 100% FREE!

Whether you’re moving a sedan from New York or an SUV out of New Jersey, or you’re linking a West Coast pickup in Los Angeles to a destination port overseas, our scheduling team connects you to the busiest RoRo ports on the East Coast and beyond. Vehicle Type, route, calculates transparent RoRo shipping rates, and the required overland leg on a truck carrier, then paired with an achievable time frame so you know exactly when shipping cars will arrive and what to expect at the destination port.

If you prefer a door-to-port plan or need terminal coordination, our Car Transport advisors provide responsive customer support, a direct Phone Number for updates, and quick guidance to the right paperwork and Related Articles so your file is complete before the vessel sails.

RORO v. Container Carrier

The other option for overseas carriers is container shipping, which is a little more labor-intensive. Container carrier, as you might expect, involves loading the vehicle into a shipping container, which is then loaded onto the hauling ship using a crane or container lift. Just like RORO transport, the car is secured firmly to ensure it doesn’t move or roll around inside the container while it’s being delivered. As you might imagine, not all vehicles fit inside a shipping container since they have a standard size that limits the height and width of which vehicles will fit inside.

Since containerized shipping is more labor intensive, it can slow the delivery time compared to RORO auto transport. A lot of cargo is moved around the U.S. using hauling containers, and the ships that haul them are typically huge and carry many containers at once. The logistics of loading, hauling, unloading, and cataloging all of that cargo is a time-consuming process, as opposed to simply rolling off the vehicles stored in the cargo area during RORO shipping.

Overland Transport with RORO Hauling

When a vehicle is shipped using RORO transport, it is delivered to a shipping port or storage warehouse, so you’ll need to coordinate the remainder of the shipment yourself. This can mean you pick up the vehicle and drive it home, or you can hire an overland auto transport company to deliver it the rest of the way. While this does involve an additional cost, it is typically a minimal amount compared to the total you will pay for RORO transport, which allows you to have your car delivered right to your door.

Getting across borders smoothly comes down to details: accurate customs clearance, complete paperwork, and choosing RoRo ports that fit your timeline. Our team separates prohibited personal items, safeguards personal belongings, arranges any truck carrier drayage to position the unit, and builds a vehicle transport plan that reflects your unique shipping needs and budget.

With decades of shipping experience, we recommend the best way forward—whether pure RoRo transportation, a break bulk alternative for extra-tall gear, or a hybrid move that pairs Air Freight for critical spares with ocean legs for the main unit—so you always ship cars with confidence.

Heavy, Oversized, and International Vehicle Shipping—Done Right

Complex moves are where International Vehicle Shipping expertise matters most. For heavy equipment and oversized vehicles—including heavy machinery, construction equipment, and agricultural equipment—RoRo transportation on modern RoRo vessels is often the best way to balance safety, speed, and cost. Because RORO shipping vessels load via built-in ramps and secure road vehicles as static cargo inside enclosed decks, the RoRo shipping process minimizes lifting risk compared with break bulk handling, yet still accommodates challenging cargo types with specialized vehicle carriers.

When your route spans North America to the United Kingdom, South America, or South Africa, we tailor international car shipping to the lane, align ocean freight with sea freight schedules, add Air Freight for time-critical components when required, and present clear, route-specific RoRo shipping rates and advice on the cheapest way to meet your goals.