RoRo Shipping Explained: How Roll-on Roll-off Car Transport Works

Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) shipping involves driving your vehicle directly onto a specialised vessel with built-in ramps and multiple internal decks, where it is secured in place with wheel chocks and lashing straps for the voyage, then driven off at the destination port. There's no crane lifting or container involved — the vehicle moves under its own power (or is towed) at both ends, which keeps costs lower than container shipping.

You deliver the vehicle to the departure terminal, such as Southampton, within the booking window, where it undergoes a condition check and photographic inspection. Keys are handed to the terminal (retained securely, not left in the vehicle), and it's driven aboard by trained stevedores. On arrival, the same process runs in reverse: unloading, a further condition check against the original inspection report, and release to you or your clearing agent once customs formalities are complete.

RoRo vessels have less controlled internal environments than sealed containers, so most carriers restrict personal effects inside the vehicle to lightweight, secured, low-value items. Fuel tanks must typically be no more than a quarter full for safety reasons, and alarm systems should be disabled to avoid battery drain or accidental triggering during the voyage.

From the UK, RoRo freight typically costs £700–£1,000 to Western Europe (5–10 days), £1,100–£1,600 to West Africa (14–21 days), and £1,400–£2,200 to the Middle East or East Africa (18–30 days), excluding duty and destination handling fees. Prices vary with vehicle size, fuel type, and seasonal vessel capacity.

RoRo is ideal for standard saloons, hatchbacks, and SUVs being shipped on well-established trade lanes where security risk at the destination port is manageable. It's less suitable for classic cars, high-value vehicles, or destinations with a known history of port theft, where marine insurance premiums may be higher and container shipping offers better peace of mind.

Because vehicles are exposed on open decks and driven by third parties at both ends, marine insurance is strongly recommended even where a carrier offers limited liability cover as standard. Liability cover from the shipping line is usually capped well below a vehicle's actual value, so a dedicated marine policy fills the gap.