How Long Does Ro-Ro Take to Ship?

Do you need to ship your vehicle or heavy equipment overseas? Are you considering using the Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) shipping method but need clarification on the shipping time frame of your cargo?

Whether moving your belongings to a new country or exporting goods, timing is crucial for shipping.

We will explore the shipping process to answer the question: How long does RoRo take to ship?

We'll break down the factors influencing transit time and estimate popular routes. You will know more about Roll-on Roll-off shipping and what to anticipate regarding delivery timeframes.

So, if your vehicle or equipment is about to embark on a RoRo shipping, you've come to the right place.

How Long Does RoRo Take to Ship?

RoRo (roll on/roll off) shipping is a popular method of transporting vehicles and wheeled cargo over long distances.

Several variables influence the length of time it takes to ship things via Roll-on Roll-off. These variables include:

1. Cargo size and weight
2. Ports of departure and destination
3. Any custom clearance requirements

In general, RoRo vessels travel more slowly than container ships. Depending on the variables mentioned above, these shipments take anywhere from one week to one month (or more).

Furthermore, shipping times often depend on unpredictable events, such as weather conditions and political unrest.

While it may take longer than expected in some cases, RoRo remains an efficient and cost-effective way to transport wheeled cargo.

Before booking your shipment, ask your freight forwarder about estimated transit times so you can plan accordingly.

Benefits of RoRo Hauling

RoRo shipping is a great way to transport large items overseas, offering many benefits over conventional container shipping.

Here are some of the advantages that RoRo offers:

• Economical price: RoRo services tend to be more affordable than container shipping. Because of this, it is a desirable choice for smaller companies or those seeking affordable solutions.
• Faster delivery times: Roll-on Roll-off vessels are much slower than container ships but still faster than other transportation methods. Your cargo can reach its destination within one week, which is quite fast, although you must consider distance in your calculation.
• Secure loading and unloading: Vehicles are driven onto the vessel at the port of departure and unloaded at the destination port, eliminating extra loading and unloading time.
• Safety: RoRo Marine Transit is designed specifically for transporting vehicles and has specialized equipment to secure and protect them during transit.
• Large capacity: RoRo vessels can carry hundreds or thousands of vehicles simultaneously, making them ideal for manufacturers, dealerships, and other businesses transporting large vehicles.
• More versatility: More versatile for unloading/loading since there is no need for cranes and other specialized equipment.
• GPS tracking: Sophisticated satellite tracking for your vehicles is available to track the shipment and retrieve instant info on where and why your vehicle has delays.
• Easier port access: They can also navigate shallow waters due to their flat bottoms, making them ideal for use in coastal areas. Better port accessibility means it doesn't need to wait in line for deep port delivery, which saves time and can serve more destinations.
• Simplified customs processes: Shipments also benefit from simplified customs processes since all goods are loaded directly onto the vessel without being transferred between containers. This process eliminates extra paperwork and hassle for customers.
• Environmentally friendly: RoRo shipping is more environmentally friendly than other modes of transportation, such as air freight or trucking, because it emits fewer greenhouse gasses and pollutants per unit of cargo transported.

With so many overall benefits, RoRo shipping is an ideal solution for international transport needs.

Different Types of Vessels

RoRo vessels are a great option for shipping cargo. Whether you're transporting cars, motorcycles, trucks, or containers, a Roll-on, Roll-off vessel can do the job.

Listed here are every style of RoRo's available, such as:

1. Pure Car Carrier (PCC): These ships carry only cars, and they typically have multiple decks that can hold hundreds or even thousands of vehicles.
2. Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC): These RoRo ships hold a combination of cars and trucks, and they often have adjustable decks that can be raised or lowered to accommodate different types of vehicles.
3. Container/RoRo (ConRo): These hybrid ships can carry containers and wheeled cargo. They usually have a large deck area for RoRo cargo and a container deck above it.
4. RoRo Ferry: These ships transport passengers and vehicles across short sea distances. They have a large RoRo deck and passenger facilities such as cabins, restaurants, and lounges.
5. Livestock Carrier: These vessels ship live animals, such as cattle, sheep, and horses. They have special facilities to ensure the comfort and safety of the animals during transit.
6. Heavy Load Carrier (HLC): These ships transport big and heavy cargo, such as construction machinery and wind turbine components. They usually have a large RoRo deck and special cranes for loading and unloading heavy cargo.

Whichever kind of Ro-Ro ships you utilize, they all have this trait: flexibility.

The eclectic sizes of RoRo ships will spoil you for choice. You can pick anything that suits your requirements, whether a small shipment or a massive one.

Depending on the size, speed, and weather conditions, most RoRo vessels can transport large cargo from one port to another in seven days to four weeks.

Because of this, firms should consider using them for their cargo to move quickly and efficiently.

Factors That Affect Moving Times

A few factors can affect the total shipping time of your RoRo shipment.

1. Port-to-port distance: this factor will decide how long a vessel takes to reach its destination.
2. Vessel size: it determines how rapidly it can move through the water, owing to its power.
3. Weather conditions: Inclement weather, like storms, significantly affects delivery time. High waves and reduced visibility can slow a ship's progress.
4. Transit times: A voyage will take longer due to intermediate stops for refueling, restocking supplies, and unloading cargo.
5. Port congestion: If there are many vessels in port, clearance times will be slow, affecting the total transit time.
6. Mechanical issues: vessel breakdown or mechanical problems can cause further delays.
7. Other risks: something more dangerous and unpredictable, like pirate attacks, will further delay the journey.
8. Shipping company schedules and services vary between companies, affecting your RoRo shipment time.

As you can see, plenty of external factors affect RoRo shipping times. Once you understand them, you can estimate more accurately the time it takes for your shipment to arrive.

Major Ports and Destinations

RoRo shipping is an efficient, cost-effective way to transport vehicles worldwide. This shipping method involves loading your car onto a trailer or truck and transporting it to its destination by sea.

The most popular ports for Roll-off cargo ships exist in major European cities: London, Barcelona, Rotterdam, Marseille, Hamburg, and Antwerp.

The most popular Asian ports for RoRo shipping are Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Busan.

In the Middle East, port cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Jeddah harbor RoRo ships.

Meanwhile, Miami, New York City, Los Angeles, and Houston are the most popular ports for Roll-on Roll-off in the United States.

It is difficult to say exactly how long a shipment will take with RoRo shipping as many factors can affect the time frame.

However, on average, most shipments will typically take ten days to two weeks, depending on the vessel size, the distance and intermediate stops required, weather conditions, and port congestion.

Paperwork for International Shipments

A lot of paperwork is involved in international RoRo shipping.

Mandatory paperwork for international shipments includes:

• Customs clearance
• Port fees
• Bill of Lading and manifests
• Car registration
• Necessary permits
• Insurance papers
• Taxes

If you want the shipping process to go smoothly, these documents must be in order before the journey begins. It helps if you work with a reliable shipping company providing the necessary information and paperwork. All that remains is to confirm everything is ready to go.

RoRo Shipments Made Easy

The response to the query "How long does RoRo take to ship?" is not straightforward. Everything from the distance to the type of cargo, and even whether your shipping partner is reliable, will affect your shipping speed.

However, you can ensure the smooth and timely delivery of your cargo by researching and choosing a reputable shipping company.

RoRo shipping may be the perfect solution for your transportation needs, whether you're shipping a car or heavy machinery.

A1 Auto Transport is a company specializing in RoRo international shipping. Now serving over 190 countries worldwide, get your shipping done by the experts.

Get your free international estimate now.