RoRo Shipping
What It Is and How It Works

RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) shipping is a method of sea transport in which cargo — cars, trucks, trailers, construction and agricultural machinery, or project equipment mounted on special MAFI trailers — drives onto and off the vessel under its own power or with the help of a tug, via a ramp, without cranes or containers. This type of cargo is officially known as a Ro-Ro unit, a term defined in Eurostat's statistical glossary.

In Lithuania, and especially at the Port of Klaipėda, RoRo shipping has long ceased to be a niche service — it is one of the three largest cargo-handling segments at the port, alongside containers and bulk cargo. In this article, we explain how RoRo shipping works, how it differs from container shipping, what requirements apply to cargo securing, which documents are needed when exporting vehicles or machinery, and what to keep in mind when cargo is heading to Africa or other distant markets.

What is RoRo cargo and how does it differ from container shipping

According to the Eurostat definition, a Ro-Ro unit is wheeled cargo equipment (a truck, trailer or semi-trailer) that can be driven or towed onto a vessel. Unlike container shipping, where cargo is lifted by crane and placed into a standard container, in RoRo shipping the cargo stays on its own wheels or on a special platform for the entire voyage.

Types of RoRo vessels

How the RoRo shipping process works, step by step

1. Booking and route coordination — the forwarder checks sailing schedules, prices and space availability.
2. Cargo delivery to the terminal — the vehicle or machine arrives under its own power or is delivered by tug.
3. Registration and document checks — VIN code, ownership documents, invoice and transport documents are verified.
4. Pre-loading technical inspection — current condition is recorded, fuel level is reduced to a minimum, and the alarm system is disconnected.
5. Driving onto the vessel via the ramp — the cargo moves onto the assigned deck according to the stowage plan.
6. Securing (lashing) — cargo is secured using straps, wedges or special fittings in line with the vessel's cargo securing manual.
7. Sea voyage — depending on the route, this takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
8. Unloading and customs clearance at the destination port — cargo drives off via the ramp and customs procedures are carried out.

Every step has its own nuances depending on the cargo type, port and destination country — this general outline helps you understand the process, but the plan for any specific shipment is always worked out individually.

Who RoRo shipping suits: benefits and limitations

Advantages

• Faster loading and unloading than container or breakbulk cargo.
• Fewer handling points — lower risk of mechanical damage to vehicles and equipment.
• Oversized cargo can be shipped on MAFI trailers without expensive specialised rigging.
• Regular, fixed schedules on many major Europe–Africa and Europe–Asia routes.

Limitations

• Only suitable for cargo that can roll — pallets or bulk cargo cannot be shipped this way.
• Exposure to the open terminal environment (weather, theft risk) compared with a closed container.
• Requires specialised terminal infrastructure — reinforced ramps, sufficient depth, and storage yards.

Safety at sea: how RoRo cargo is secured

International rules for securing RoRo cargo are set out in the IMO Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code), adopted in 1991 by resolution A.714(17) and updated several times since. Annex 4 of the Code is specifically dedicated to guidelines for securing road vehicles on RoRo ships (current version: MSC.479(102)).

Every vessel must carry a Cargo Securing Manual, drawn up in line with IMO guidelines and linked to Chapters VI and VII of the SOLAS convention. The manual specifies which straps, wedges or fittings are used for a given cargo type and the minimum holding capacity they must have. These rules also apply to oversized cargo shipped on MAFI trailers — for such units, the securing scheme is worked out individually.

RoRo at the Port of Klaipėda: a leading position in the region

The Port of Klaipėda remains the largest RoRo handling hub among the Baltic states' ports. In 2024, around 6.1 million tonnes of vehicles carried by ferry passed through the port — about 17% of the port's total cargo turnover — while RoRo volumes grew 16% year-on-year, reaching 852 thousand tonnes of growth in tonnage terms, the second-best result for this segment in the port's history.

The growth trend continued into 2025: in the first five months, RoRo cargo (trucks carried by ferry) grew 5% to 143.4 thousand units, and over eleven months total RoRo turnover exceeded 6 million tonnes, up 7%. Container cargo and RoRo cargo together account for roughly half of all cargo handled at the Port of Klaipėda, and the port itself holds around 41% of the Baltic states' port market — more than Riga, Tallinn or Liepāja.

EU policy and infrastructure: why RoRo matters for European logistics

In EU transport policy, short sea shipping — including RoRo transport — is regarded as a strategic alternative to road transport. This direction was supported by the "Motorways of the Sea" initiative, and since June 2024 it has been integrated into the revised Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) regulation — Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 — which brings short sea shipping into a new European Maritime Space priority.

Short sea shipping is the only mode of transport in the EU genuinely able to compete with the rapidly growing road transport sector — between 1995 and 2004 its tonne-kilometre volume grew by 32%. This trend continues to drive investment in RoRo terminal infrastructure, including at the Port of Klaipėda, one of the key Baltic Sea region hubs in this system.

Customs procedures for shipping vehicles and machinery by RoRo

When exporting machinery from Lithuania (the EU) to third countries, an export customs procedure must be completed. Under Lithuanian customs authority guidance, an export or temporary export customs declaration must be submitted when a vehicle or piece of machinery leaves Lithuania, and additional documents may be required if requested by customs: invoice, transport documents and proof of ownership.

When importing an already-registered vehicle from a third country for registration in Lithuania, a 10% import duty and 21% VAT apply, and the declaration requires purchase documents and a certificate of deregistration from the previous country.

Since 4 June 2024, Lithuanian customs — acting under an agreement between five EU member states' customs authorities on sanctions controls — has been paying closer attention to exported vehicles up to five years old with an engine capacity over 1,900 cm³, as well as hybrid and electric vehicles. This is important to know when planning RoRo shipments to more distant markets, where such vehicles may face additional checks.

What determines the price of RoRo shipping

Unlike container shipping, where price is calculated per TEU/FEU unit, RoRo shipping is usually priced based on the cargo's dimensions (cubic volume) or weight, whichever is greater. The main factors that determine price are:

• The dimensions (length × width × height) and weight of the vehicle or machine.
• The route and destination port — longer or less-served routes are usually more expensive.
• Seasonality — market demand can temporarily push freight rates up.
• Additional services: transport to the port, insurance, customs brokerage.
• Cargo type — self-propelled machinery is usually cheaper than oversized cargo carried on a MAFI trailer that requires additional securing.

An exact price can only be determined once the specific cargo and route are assessed, so it's recommended to contact a forwarder for an individual quote rather than relying on average market rates.

Common mistakes and risks in RoRo shipping

• Inaccurately stated vehicle manufacture year or VIN code — can lead to the cargo being held at the destination port.
• Not accounting for the destination country's age or emissions-standard requirements before loading the cargo.
• Improper or insufficient cargo securing that doesn't meet the requirements of the vessel's cargo securing manual.
• Missing or late export customs documents.
• Insufficient attention to theft risk at the terminal — valuable or luxury vehicles should be insured for the entire duration of shipping.

Before your first RoRo shipment

Before shipping a vehicle, machinery or project cargo by RoRo, it's worth checking the destination country's requirements, the set of documents needed, and the cargo's parameters in advance — mistakes at this stage usually cost the most time and money.

Summary

RoRo shipping is one of the most efficient ways to transport wheeled machinery, vehicles and project cargo by sea — without cranes, with lower risk of damage, and often with faster terminal turnaround than container shipping. The Port of Klaipėda holds a strong position in this segment within the Baltic region, and EU short sea shipping policy continues to strengthen infrastructure for this type of cargo. At the same time, RoRo shipping requires accurate documentation, compliance with international cargo securing standards, and advance verification of destination country requirements — especially when shipping to Africa or other distant markets with strict restrictions on importing used vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is RoRo shipping?

RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) shipping is a method of sea transport in which wheeled cargo drives onto and off the vessel under its own power or with the help of a tug, via a ramp, without the use of cranes.

How does RoRo differ from container shipping?

Container cargo is lifted by crane and placed into a standard container, while RoRo cargo stays on its own wheels or a special platform for the entire journey and drives directly onto the vessel.

What kinds of cargo are suitable for RoRo shipping?

RoRo shipping suits cars, trucks, buses, trailers, agricultural and construction machinery, as well as project equipment mounted on special MAFI trailers.

How long does RoRo shipping from Europe to Africa take?

Depending on the specific route and port, the sea crossing from Europe to West Africa typically takes around 14–21 days, and total delivery time also depends on additional terminal and customs clearance time at the destination.

What documents are needed to export a vehicle by RoRo from Lithuania?

An export customs declaration is required, and if requested by customs, an invoice, transport documents and proof of ownership. When importing an already-registered vehicle into the EU from a third country, import duty and VAT also apply.

Do all African countries apply the same age restrictions on used vehicles?

No. Each country sets its own rules: for example, Nigeria's official limit is 12 years, Ghana's is 10 years with an additional charge for older vehicles, Kenya's is 8 years, while Benin and Togo apply no age restrictions at all.

How is cargo secured on a RoRo vessel?

Cargo is secured according to the international IMO Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code) and the specific vessel's cargo securing manual, using straps, wedges or special fittings depending on the cargo's weight and type.

When is RoRo shipping a better choice than containers?

When cargo is wheeled or can be mounted on a wheeled platform (a MAFI trailer), and when fast terminal turnaround and fewer handling points matter — in these cases RoRo is often a more efficient and cheaper solution than container or breakbulk shipping.

Note: the data in this article on country-specific import age restrictions is indicative and subject to change — before every shipment, we recommend checking current information with the destination country's customs authority.