What Is the Difference between RoRo and Car Carrier?

Cars are transported across the ocean in RoRo. Or, they can go by PCC.

The jargon and acronyms alone may confuse you, but to keep it simple, RoRo vessels and car carriers are designed specifically for transporting vehicles.

The first method allows anyone to drive a car onto the ship and secure it. The second one is versatile container ships capable of transporting various cargo, including wheeled vehicles.

This article will explore the differences between RoRo and car carrier vessels in detail, including the pros and cons of each method.

What Is a RoRo Ship?

RoRo ships are an essential part of commercial shipping.

This type of ship is designed so that the vehicles can be driven on from a ramp lowered onto the dock and then rolled off into the ship's hold once it departs on its route. "RoRo" stands for "ROLL ON ROLL OFF," as these ships host rolling cargo between ports worldwide.

The construction of a RORO ship usually involves building two large car decks wherein automobiles can move freely during the voyage.

It also includes mounting winches and ramps, which allow vehicles to board safely before it leaves port and lowers them into position when it arrives at their destination.

Additionally, they need to be equipped with technologies like Gyrocompass or GPS navigation systems enabling them to steer with greater accuracy compared to conventional vessels.

Are Car Carriers Different from RoRo Ships?

Car carrier ships all fall under the same category as RoRo ships and thus are not inherently different from RoRo ships, but rather different variants of them. Car carriers are different from RoRo ships in that they are multi-purpose ships, able to carry cargo of all shapes and sizes, not just cars.

Car carriers can transport cars alongside other types of cargo, like containers and dry bulk goods. These ships also usually have an open deck enabling them to accommodate various loads during the same voyage.

These carriers offer budget-effective solutions for travelers who need to move cars, buses, vans, and other large items without being confined to a single route or schedule.

Due to their versatility and wide range of applications, sea-going car carriers generally come in several types designed to meet various needs.

The Different Types of RoRo Vessels

You can broadly divide RoRo ships into ferries, freight vessels, Ro-Pax (Ro-Passenger Cargo) vessels, pure car carriers, and a combined carrier called CONRO (Container Roll On Roll Off).

• Ferries: Normally used for passenger transport between various ports. They usually have facilities for passengers to get on and off the ship.
• Freight ships: Designed specifically to carry larger types of cargo from one port to another.
• Ro-Pax ships: Combining freight and passengers into a single vessel, they can move freight items and carry passengers without compromising either of their needs.
• Pure car carriers: The sole purpose of PCC is transporting automobiles from the factory or break bulk/Ro-Ro terminals to other locations for further sale, lease, or repair services.
• Combined carriers (CONRO): With enriched versatility to carry different types of cargo, such as containers and vehicles, within the same unit.

Pure Car Carrier Vessels vs. Pure Car Truck Carriers

Car carrier ships can be divided into two basic categories. These are Pure Car Carrier (PCC) vessels and Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels.

PCC ships are used solely to move new vehicles, such as cars, from one port to another, often from one country to another. These usually transport new vehicle models from their place of origin for sale on the international market.

Compared to Pure Car Carriers, PCTC vessels are designed to accommodate any four-wheeled vehicle. It means they can load not just cars but also trucks, tractors, and other plant machinery, making these ships a vital resource for different industries.

Designs of Car Carriers

The design and build of car carriers are very important because they need to be able to transport diverse types of wheeled vehicles. The traditional method of loading cars onto a ship involves using ramps located at the vessel's stern, bow, or sides.

This method allows easy access to an available area on board the ship that can fit numerous cars without issue. Other loading methods may also include hoistable vehicle decks, allowing the vessel to achieve maximum capacity when transporting multiple vehicles simultaneously.

A car carrier is not just about its construction. Features that make it practical for safely transporting all types of cars also matter.

Safety features such as lashing points and handrails must be included so vehicles do not slip during transit, even in heavy winds or weather conditions. These features protect crew and cargo from accidents caused by waves or uneven sailing surfaces.

Sturdy construction materials must also be considered when designing a car carrier, as these need to hold up for extended periods during travel and storage situations.

What Are the Advantages of RoRo Shipping?

Roll-on/roll-off vessels are undeniably popular among shipping companies because they save precious time transporting cargo.The cargo remains in the boat until it has reached its destination and can easily be rolled off the ship on arrival.

This delivery method reduces the need for cranes and often provides safer transport than other types of shipping due to the reduction in handling.

Rolling cargo onto a boat is much speedier than lifting it with a crane or hoist—another efficient method that saves time and resources.

Shippers particularly prefer using RoRo when dealing with high-value-added products requiring significant care during transit. With shipping companies investing in larger and faster vessels, this gap between using RoRo compared to other methods continues to increase.

RoRo ships are an attractive option due to their lower complexity in the logistical chain, making it easier to manage and organize shipments across various destinations.

For these reasons, RoRo is an advantageous option for shippers wishing for optimal efficiency and safety when delivering their products.

Containerized Shipping

An alternative to RoRo you will often hear about is containerized shipping, which has steadily gained interest in international car shipping.

Container shipping involves packaging individual vehicles into metal shipping containers and carrying them on large ships designed to accommodate mixed consignments.

This method of container shipping differs from traditional methods, as the cars are securely fastened to racks inside the container, allowing maximum security and protection during transit.

Rather than relying upon manual loading with cranes, as with ro-ro freight, container shipping methods require that vehicles be loaded onto racks via forklifts while onshore or at the start of their journey.

Lift-On/Lift-Off Shipping

LoLo stands for Lift-On/Lift-Off, describing cargo ships with onboard cranes that can load or unload cargo.

These specialized container ships create much value since they make port operations much faster, cheaper, and simpler. Many modern ports have been equipped with LoLo vessels, which are highly valued among commercial shippers.

The LoLo vessels have distinct advantages over other non-geared vessels due to their superior features. The cranes, located on the upper deck of the ship, allow for easier handling of loads without limitations of weight or volume, making them perfect for larger shipments.

Moreover, these handled containers are loaded directly onto the trucks and trailers at the dockside, leading to shorter turnaround time and cost savings in storage costs due to direct unloading.

This type of technology also allows efficient stacking even if the container stacks vary in size and height.

LoLo vessels also minimize risks associated with damage to goods when moving them with forklifts or similar devices since the cargo has already been secured.

Wrapping Up

Container car shipping contains a lot of acronyms, but it's key to remember that all Car Carriers are RoRo ships and vice versa.

There are different ways to ship your car, and using RoRo or consolidated containers is just one of many ways to do so.

A-1 Auto Transport uses different methods to transport your cherished automobile. Peruse our services to find the most appropriate for you and get an immediate shipping quote today.