There are two major ways of shipping cars: container shipping and Roll-On/Roll-Off shipping, more commonly known as RORO. Both methods have their relative advantages and disadvantages, which come into play given specific needs and situations. Here's a quick difference between the two:
Container Shipping
What It Is:
This is a type of shipment wherein the car is put inside a big, standard-sized container. The container, after the car has been put inside, is loaded onto a cargo ship together with other containers.
Advantages:
Protection: The vehicle is enclosed inside a container and has great protection from the elements and any form of damage in transit.
Frequently Sailings:
For car shipping from Dubai there are several shipping lines with weekly vessel so by container you can load as fast as u want and top of the transit time will be shorter compare it to RORO shipping.
Security:
The container is sealed, adding extra security against theft and unauthorized access.
Flexibility:
This can be shipped as FCL or LCL, depending on whether one wishes to ship just one or multiple vehicles or combined with personal items.
Disadvantages:
Cost: Generally, container shipping is more expensive as compared to RORO due to the added protection and handling.
Handling Time:
This may take some time in loading and unloading the containers, hence possibly taking more time in shipment.
Roll-On/Roll-Off Shipping
What It Is:
It involves driving the vehicle onto a vessel designed especially to carry wheeled cargo. The car is then secured in place on the deck of the ship.
Advantages:
Cost-Effective: Generally, RORO shipping is much cheaper compared to container shipping; thus, it is considered very attractive for budget-conscious shippers.
Efficiency:
The process of driving the vehicle on and off the ship is quick and quite straightforward; hence, the times for loading and unloading are much quicker.
Disadvantages:
Exposure:
There could be slight possibilities of destruction due to weather conditions since vehicles in RORO ships are exposed to open air.
Security:
A non-containerized car has a greater risk of theft of its parts while it is in transit since the car would be highly accessible.
Limited Personal Items:
Unlike container shipping, RORO shipping does not, in most instances, allow for personal items to be shipped inside a vehicle.
Transit Time & Vessel Availability:
RORO shipping having long transit times with no more vessels available & it’s only to selected destinations. Container shipping is available for all global destinations
Which Method Is Right for You?
It would, therefore, depend on the customer's choice for either container or RORO shipment on bases such as: a budget, timeline, and protection the car will need. If the price is all one has in mind without anything in the vehicle, he might opt for RORO. But should it be important that there should be more protection and safety to avoid the weather condition, it pays a bit higher in dollars using the container system of shipment.
In other words, container and RORO shipping both have pros and cons. knowing the differences would make it easy to decide on which one works best for the transport of your car.
