Roll-on Roll-Off Ships vs Container Ships

When you're shipping your vehicles, machinery or equipment overseas you can utilize 2 ocean shipping methods: Roll-on Roll-off (or Ro/Ro) shipping or container shipping.
Let's explore the differences and advantages.

Container ships and ocean containers were designed to speed up loading & unloading process at the ports. The container ship can carry 500 to 5000 containers but be loaded within a day. Most common containers used are 20-footer (20'x8'x8') and 40-footer (40'x8'x8'). As long as your cargo fits inside the container this should be your first choice in international shipping. There's a lot of warehouses and export packers that specialize in loading of cars, motorcycles, boats, machines, etc. The loading requires a special expertise, equipment & tools so it's better to leave it to professionals. Container ships travel to all seaports around the world and also can easily be moved on roads and rail without the cargo reloading.

Roll-on Roll-off ships are suited for oversized cargo & rolling stock. A lot of cars, trucks, boats are shipped using this option due to the simple process of loading and unloading: vehicles are simply driven, rolled or towed on the ship at the port of origin and then driven, rolled, towed off the ship at the port of destination. Ro-Ro ships differ from barges: barges usually have one deck and cargo is exposed to the air; Ro-Ro ships are enclosed ships that have multiple decks and cargo is not exposed to the weather. The global service coverage with Ro/Ro ships is somewhat limited and may not be available to your destination.

More information on overseas roll-on roll-off & container shipping for cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats