The Risks of RoRo Shipping

RoRo shipping, or Roll-on/Roll-off shipping, is a method of transporting vehicles and heavy equipment on ships, where they are driven onto and off the vessel.

This shipping method is a bit of a bargain when shipping your cargo, but it also presents multiple risks. And these risks can be troublesome enough to be considered before choosing this method of transport.

Various risks are linked with Ro-Ro ships, from damage to the cargo during loading and unloading to potential theft and piracy.

We will explore the different risks of RoRo shipping and provide insights on mitigating them for a smooth and secure transportation process.

What Is RoRo Shipping?

RoRo transport typically refers to shipping semi-trailer trucks and wheeled units, such as electric vehicles, containers, and other equipment, via cargo ships.

It's mainly used for ferry transportation between countries or ports. RoRo vessels have large storage bays, allowing cars on board to be easily driven in and out of the vessel.

This method can save time during loading and unloading because the items do not need to be lifted by crane onto the deck. Moreover, this type of transportation also reduces security concerns since only a few personnel are required compared to traditional shipping containers.

The process always involves two separate modes of transportation:

1. One is for getting the vehicle/load from its point of origin to the port
2. Another is for moving it from the port at its destination to its ultimate destination

Usually, car carriers use containers or lorries for these intermediate parts of the journey. After this, the carrier can easily roll cars and other wheeled units onto or off Ro-Ro ships for their journey across seas or oceans.

Upon arriving at the desired port, they are loaded off using the same method as before—rolling them straight onto trains or lorries until they reach their final destination.

What Makes Container Ships Different?

Many often compare RoRo and container ships. Container ships are considered a fast and efficient choice to transport cars across oceans or faraway destinations.

This method entails safely stowing automobiles inside metal boxes, often alongside other goods, onto specialized vessels designed for transporting containers.

The car is placed on top of a rack before being loaded into the metal container either at the start of their journey or while still docked at shore.

By utilizing this technique, these sturdy containers provide an extra layer of protection against road hazards and bad weather conditions during transit.

This, in turn, provides lesser risks for vehicle damage than overland transportation by road and rail.

The entire process of loading vehicles into container ships only takes a few hours, making it a much quicker solution than most other methods available today. Besides being faster, containerized transport consumes less energy allowing for more cost-effective shipments.

These can be tracked via GPS satellites providing companies with real-time information regarding their shipments and timely updates on arrival times while keeping customers informed throughout the shipment process.

With special care taken to ensure optimal securement when placing cars into containers, this transport alternative is considered relatively safer compared to some forms of vehicle transportation due to its minimization of risk compared to Ro-Ro ships.

Types of RoRo Ships

RoRo ships come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations. Pure Car Carriers (PCCs) are specialized ships specifically designed for transporting cars and other vehicles. They have large open decks with multiple levels, allowing them to securely hold several vehicles at once.

A Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) is a specialized type of RoRo designed to carry cars and trucks. It has large open decks with multiple levels, enabling it to simultaneously pack several vehicles.

These modernized RoRo ships come in various sizes with features like side ramps (for improved storability), larger hatch openings (for higher loading capacity), strengthened car decks (for extended lifespan), etc.

Additionally, variable speed generators offer energy conservation capabilities while providing power at all temperatures.

Moreover, many of these vessels incorporate anti-corrosion measures such as sprayed urethane coatings for long-term protection against saltwater damage or rusting of the surface.

As technology continues to make strides in efficient shipbuilding, Ro-Ro vessels will become better equipped with enhanced functionalities that make transporting vehicles between harbors much quicker and more convenient.

Advantages of RoRo Shipping

Without a doubt, RoRo shipping has plenty of advantages. The economy and efficiency of RoRo shipping make it one of the best forms of freight transportation in today's logistics-driven world.

The rolling stock, such as cars, trucks, and other heavy machinery, is driven directly onto a specialized RoRo vessel and loaded quickly without requiring more time-consuming loading procedures.

It offers plenty of advantages compared to traditional ships, such as improved flexibility, increased operational speed, and overall time-saving.

The vehicles need only to be driven onto the ship at their loading port, thereby reducing labor costs, cargo handling risk, and damage to the cargo during transit.

The vehicle can then drive off the ship when it docks at its destination port, a simple process ensuring accelerated travel time from port A to port B, reducing the total delivery time.

Moreover, all vehicles can be installed with alarm systems that allow shippers to monitor each shipment easily throughout its journey. All these benefits make RoRo shipping an attractive option for cost-sensitive logistics projects or those requiring a flexible transport solution.

Risks Associated with RoRo Shipping

The main risks associated with RoRo car shipping are mostly related to human errors leading to operational faults and risk of damage, which can have dire consequences for the cargo, the ships, and its crew and passengers.

In January 2017, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) released a circular that stated that RoRo vessels were responsible for almost two-thirds of lives lost at sea despite only representing a small percentage of merchant marine tonnage.

Human error is undoubtedly one of the biggest issues with RoRo vessels, but there are additional risks.

Risk 1: Human errors

As you might have guessed, human error is the ultimate culprit in causing risk with RoRo shipping. Such errors can cause cargo to be damaged or lost while endangering the lives of crew and passengers.

Common human errors include inadequate training, negligence, fatigue, and complacency.

Poor decision-making processes related to the loading of vehicles, such as overloading a single deck or not using appropriate lashing tools to secure cargo, can also lead to accidents.

In some cases, human errors may arise from the lack of proper systems onboard the vessel or communication between the crew and passengers.

Risk 2: Environmental factors

Environmental factors like strong winds and waves are among the most common risks associated with Ro-Ro carriers. Such conditions can cause cargo to shift or roll during transit and cause significant damage, even if the vessel is equipped with proper lashing tools and systems.

In addition, extreme temperatures or salinity levels may cause vessel corrosion and damage to the cargo.

Risk 3: Navigational hazards

RoRo ships face navigational challenges as they travel to their destination, including avoiding hazards like reefs, rocks, debris, and other obstacles that pose a risk to the vessel's safety.

The responsibility to prevent collisions falls under the crew. A RoRo ship crew must receive proper training to avoid damages, delays, and possible loss of life. Therefore, vigilance and necessary precautions are necessary.

Risk 4: Cargo damage

How the shipping industry works makes cargo susceptible to damage during the loading and unloading process. This damage can come from improper placement of items or inadequate fastening of items to the vessel during transit, causing cargo shifts.

Make sure your cargo is secured safely before shipping. Loading and unloading cargo using the proper equipment and personnel is also imperative.

Risk 5: Piracy

Another risk associated with Ro-Ro ships is piracy. In certain areas around the world, maritime vessels must take extra precautions to remain safe from pirates looking to try and hijack or steal cargo.

Vessels must be equipped with proper systems that track the vessel's whereabouts and alert authorities of potential danger.

Conclusion about RoRo shipping

RoRo shipping can be a cost-effective and efficient way to transport large items overseas.

Although an easy and effective way to ship your car, you should know the potential risks involved. These include damage to the vehicle or cargo and delays due to weather or other factors.

Taking proper precautions and choosing a reputable shipping company can minimize these risks and ensure successful transport. Safe travels!

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