Ro-Ro vs. Container Shipping
We can ship our cars either via Ro-Ro (Roll on Roll Off) Car carrying boats or via 20′ or 40′ containers. Ro-Ro signifies that your car will be “rolled on” the specialized ocean vessel at the port of origin and “rolled off” at the port of destination. Ro-Ro service is not available for all ports and is less secure.
Ro-Ro vessels are like floating car parks. The vehicles are driven into the cargo hold of these special car transporting ship, where they are secured down for the trip. This freight method is aimed specifically at vehicles that are mobile and can easily be driven on and off the carrier. The charges for Ro-Ro vary depending on the CBM of the vehicle. Big vehicles cost more and small vehicles cost less, with vehicle weight generally having no bearing on the cost.
Advantage: Its only advantage is that it is relatively cheaper for African ports and most of our used vehicles to East African ports as Mombasa go via ro-ro.
Disadvantages:
- Higher risk of parts and accessories theft. Emblems, badges and license plates are often stolen. This is fine for used vehicles
- Anything loose will most likely be stolen
- Higher risk of loading and unloading damage
- Vehicles get very dirty and oily
- Does not go to all ports
Your car or truck is parked close to many other cars and small nicks are possible. It may not be a big deal in a used car but every little nick on a new car counts.
Container Freight
A container, on the other hand, is very secure. Car is secured, blocked and braced inside the container by our export packers before it is loaded inside the ship.
Containers can be used to transport vehicles however the charges are generally a little higher than Ro-Ro. One 20Ft container is loaded with a single vehicle which is strapped to the sides to stop it moving during transit. The cost of a container is a flat rate so the size of the vehicle is unrelated to the cost. We can place two vehicles in a 40′ container and often three in a 40′ HIQ container.
Container freight is usually used for new vehicles, higher value vehicles, very large vehicles or vehicles with expensive performance accessories.
Advantages:
- More secure transport
- Same cost for large cars
- Lower risk of damage
- Almost no risk of things being stolen off your vehicle during transit
- More frequent shipping
- More destinations
- Vehicle arrives at its destination in exactly the same condition and state of cleanliness than when it was in when it was picked up
Disadvantage: Slightly more expensive
Shipping Containers
Please note that you can send 1 vehicle in a 20′ container, 2 in a 40′ container and 3 vehicles in a 40′ high cube container.