What Happens If Your Car Doesn't Start at the Port?

It's a more common scenario than most people expect: a vehicle that's been running perfectly well suddenly fails to start on the very day it's due to be delivered to the port. Often this comes down to a flat battery, particularly if the car has been sitting unused for a period while paperwork or moving arrangements were finalised, or if a trickle charger wasn't used during any pre-shipping storage period.

Other causes include a fault that was masked during regular use but becomes apparent after the car has been sitting, cold weather affecting an already marginal battery, or simply a coincidental mechanical issue unrelated to the shipping process at all. Whatever the cause, the good news is that a non-starting vehicle at the point of delivery is a well-understood, manageable situation rather than a shipment-ending crisis.

For RORO shipments specifically, the vehicle does need to be capable of being driven or at least rolled under its own power onto the vessel, since the entire loading process relies on vehicles moving under their own wheels via ramps rather than being lifted. If your car won't start on the day of delivery, this creates a genuine practical obstacle for a RORO booking that needs to be resolved before loading can proceed.

In many cases, the fix is straightforward: a jump start or portable battery pack can resolve a simple flat battery issue on the spot, and port staff or your collection driver may be equipped to attempt this before the vehicle is due to load. If a jump start resolves the issue and the car runs normally afterwards, the shipment typically proceeds with no further complication, though it's worth having the electrical system checked before the long period of inactivity during ocean transit, as an underlying issue with the alternator or battery could recur.

If the fault is more serious than a flat battery — for example, a mechanical fault preventing the engine from starting at all — the vehicle generally can't proceed on a RORO booking in that condition, since forklift loading isn't standard for RORO vessels. In this situation, your options are to arrange a mobile mechanic to fix the issue before the sailing deadline, or switch the booking to container shipping instead, which can accommodate non-running vehicles.

Container shipping offers considerably more flexibility for this scenario, as non-running vehicles can typically still be loaded using a forklift or hydraulic lift specifically designed for this purpose. If your vehicle doesn't start on the day of collection or delivery, and you're using container shipping, this is usually manageable without derailing your booking, though it's important to inform your shipping provider as soon as you're aware of the issue.

There is typically an additional handling charge for loading a non-running vehicle by forklift, since it requires specialised equipment and additional care compared to a vehicle that can be driven directly into position. This charge varies depending on the terminal and equipment required, but it's generally modest relative to the overall cost of shipping and well worth confirming upfront so there are no surprises.

It's worth noting that a non-running vehicle should still have its parking brake in good working order or wheels chocked appropriately, and ideally be able to be pushed or towed a short distance, as some manual positioning within the terminal or container is usually still required even when a forklift handles the main loading.

If your car won't start on the day it's due at the port, the most important first step is to contact your shipping provider immediately rather than waiting or trying to resolve it entirely on your own before letting anyone know. Delivery slots and vessel loading schedules are time-sensitive, and early communication gives everyone involved the best chance of finding a workable solution before the sailing deadline.

If you have any inkling in advance that the battery might be weak — for example, if the car has been sitting for a while — it's worth attempting a jump start or having it checked a day or two before the scheduled delivery, rather than discovering the problem for the first time on collection day itself. A simple test drive a day or two beforehand can reveal issues while there's still time to address them calmly.

If the vehicle genuinely can't be resolved in time for a RORO booking, ask your provider about switching to container shipping for that specific shipment. While this may involve a cost adjustment given the different pricing structure of container versus RORO, it's usually far preferable to missing your sailing entirely and having to rebook, which can add weeks to your overall timeline.

The financial impact of a non-starting vehicle varies depending on how it's resolved. A simple jump start that gets the car running normally typically incurs no extra cost, or at most a small call-out fee if a mobile mechanic or breakdown service was required. Switching from a RORO to a container booking involves the cost difference between the two methods, which is usually higher for container shipping, plus any applicable non-running vehicle handling fee.

In terms of timing, a same-day fix rarely causes any delay to your original sailing schedule. However, if the issue requires more extensive repair or a switch in shipping method, this can occasionally mean missing the original vessel and being rebooked onto the next available sailing, which could add anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on route frequency. This is precisely why flagging any concerns about your vehicle's condition to your shipping provider as early as possible is so valuable — it allows contingency plans to be considered before you're up against a hard deadline.

If a customer's vehicle doesn't start on collection or delivery day, our team's first step is always to assess whether a straightforward fix — like a jump start — can resolve it on the spot, keeping the original booking on track wherever possible. If that's not sufficient, we'll talk through the practical alternatives with you immediately, including switching to container shipping or arranging a short delay, and we'll be upfront about any cost implications before proceeding with any change.

Our goal in these situations is always to find the most practical, cost-effective path to getting your vehicle shipped with as little disruption to your timeline as possible, rather than treating it as an automatic booking failure. If you're at all uncertain about your vehicle's condition ahead of a scheduled shipment, get in touch with us in advance so we can help you plan around it.