The main difference between RoRo and container shipping is the handling method. In RoRo, the truck, trailer or wheeled cargo rolls on and off the vessel on its own wheels; in container shipping, the cargo is stuffed into a steel box and loaded by crane. RoRo offers speed and single handling on short sea crossings, while containers lower the unit cost on long ocean routes.
How do the two methods work?
A RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) vessel resembles a multi-storey car park that vehicles enter via a ramp. The cargo is loaded onto a trailer at the factory, the trailer is hauled to the port, driven onto the vessel, rolls off on its wheels at the port of arrival and travels to the delivery address on the same trailer. In RoRo transport, the cargo stays on the same trailer for the entire journey.
In container (LoLo, lift-on/lift-off) shipping, the cargo is stuffed into a standard 20- or 40-foot box. The box comes to the terminal by truck, is moved to the stacking yard by a yard crane and loaded onto the vessel by a quay crane. On arrival the same chain runs in reverse; at transhipment ports along the way the box may be handled once or several more times.
Comparison table
| Criterion | RoRo | Container |
|---|---|---|
| Handling | Cargo does not leave the trailer; one loading, one discharge | The box is crane-handled at every port |
| Waiting at port | Short; the vehicle arrives according to the vessel's departure | Terminal cut-off, yard dwell time, transhipment |
| Suitable distance | Short sea crossings and routes with road connections | Long ocean and intercontinental routes |
| Freight basis | Trailer or vehicle length (lane metres), plus a driver charge if accompanied | Freight per box, plus surcharges such as THC and BAF |
| Cargo size | Depends on trailer dimensions; heavy and high cargo with lowbeds and mafi trailers | Box internal dimensions; flat racks and open tops for large cargo |
| Extra cost risk | Trailer and tractor waiting charges | Demurrage, detention, storage |
| Damage risk | Little handling; lashing is critical against sea motion | The box protects; risk of stowage errors and transhipment |
Which items determine the cost?
In RoRo, the invoice is mostly based on trailer length; on an accompanied voyage, the driver and tractor also board the vessel. In the unaccompanied option, only the trailer travels and another tractor collects it on arrival. Which is cheaper between accompanied and unaccompanied RoRo depends on the driver and tractor costs.
In container shipping, the terminal handling charge (THC), bunker adjustment and port charges are added to the ocean freight. If the box exceeds the free time, demurrage and detention start to run. Whether you use your own box or the line's box also affects cost; this distinction is known as SOC versus COC containers.
Which one should be chosen when?
- Suited to RoRo: Routes with a short, regular sea link and strong road connections at both ends; machinery and equipment that would be risky to unload from the trailer; time-critical project deliveries; periods when land borders are congested.
- Suited to containers: Long routes such as the Far East and the Americas; palletised and cartoned general cargo; shipments where low unit cost matters more than speed; cargo that fits standard box dimensions.
- The deciding question: If the cargo can be loaded onto a trailer once and delivered on the same trailer, and the sea crossing is a day or two, RoRo usually comes out ahead in total transit time and handling.
Common mistakes
- Comparing ocean freight alone. For containers, the land legs at both ends must be included; for RoRo, the trailer waiting charges.
- Leaving the lashing inside the trailer at road-transport standard on a RoRo voyage. Ship rolling applies forces in directions different from road transport.
- Dismantling heavy cargo into pieces to fit it into containers. The cost of dismantling and reassembly often exceeds the trailer premium in RoRo.
How does Voltim Global support this?
Most of Voltim Global's shipments from Russia to Akkuyu run via the Tuapse–Taşucu RoRo line. In addition, FCL and LCL container shipments are planned under sea freight; the method is chosen according to the cargo's dimensions and delivery date.