How Cars Are Shipped

Ever wonder how cars are shipped overseas? It's not as simple as you think, but it is much more reliable.

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     There are two ways to ship a vehicle overseas. There's the most understood way; in a container, and there's the most common way; RORO.

     RORO stands for "Roll On Roll Off". The name says it all. Vehicles are rolled into a ship and transported inside the ship, and finally driven off the ship at its destination port. You can check out this awesome site that dives into the comparison:

RORO vs. Container

      Now, a container seems like the best choice right off the bat, right? Well, we don't think so. Check out this link for a great short analysis on why RORO is superior for our cars:

Why RORO?

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     Even with all this taken into consideration, there are still some reservations people have toward RORO. However, we found yet another site, this site, that addresses these rumors and will hopefully give you a better grasp on the situation.

Rumor #1: International Ro/Ro Shipping is Only for Inexpensive Cars

     Did you know that ro/ro vessels not only carry cars but they also carry heavy duty trucks, construction equipment, and other heavy machinery.  Most of these items are worth in excess of tens of thousands of dollars.  Therefore, if it is safe to ship a $125,000 Caterpillar excavator on a ro/ro vessel, it is safe to ship a $125,000 Maserati.


Rumor #2: I Heard if I Ship my Car on a Ro/Ro Vessel it Sits on Top of the Vessel and it is Exposed to the Elements and Can Easily Fall Off

     The ro/ro vessel has come a long way since the introduction of car ferries in the 1800's.  Although some car ferries around the world are still open-air, most first-class international ro/ro steamship lines have specialized enclosed ro/ro vessels.  Today's international car and truck ro/ro carriers are nicer than your garage.  The vessels are climate controlled and your cargo is protected from the elements.  Cars are driven into the belly of the ship and safely secured.  This is how the world's car manufacturer's ship their brand new vehicles around the world, on ro/ro ships.   


Rumor #3: Shipping my Expensive Car in a Container is Safer Because there is No Risk of Damage

     While shipping your car overseas in a container is a safe option, and an option several customers prefer, it does not guarantee your car will arrive without a scratch.  Our professional warehouses specialize in loading vehicles inside containers, however what happens on the other side of the ocean is another story.  One of biggest issues customers who ship their car internationally in a container face is finding a reliable warehouse overseas who can safely unload their vehicle.  Inexperienced warehouses in another country may damage your vehicle during the unloading process if they have no clue what they're doing.  Typical damage includes scratches along the side of the vehicle, damaging windows, and blowing out tires during the unloading process.  If you prefer to ship your car abroad from the USA in a container, you should make sure you employ an experienced professional in the arrival country in order to avoid the risk of damage to your vehicle.