RORO is short for roll on, roll off. When people look to ship their vehicles overseas, mostly they look into it. This is mainly because RORO is less expensive than container shipping. Besides the price, there are many differences between these two shipping methods. Our experts at shipping and logistics companies will share few more details, to help you determine what’s right for you. Let’s compare RORO shipping vs container shipping in the following text.
RORO shipping vs container shipping – basic differences
Most expert companies shipping to Saudi Arabia provide both options. As we mentioned before, the most obvious difference between the two is the price for the service. To ship your car with RORO, the car needs to be in a running condition. First, you can either drive it yourself, or arrange a freight to transport it to the port. When it’s loading time, a shipping professional will drive your car onto the cargo vessel. Vehicles are loaded in a selected order, so as to maximize space. Then, your car will be secured with either metal braces or straps, to remain safe during the entire voyage. Once it arrives in the destination port, it needs to clear customs. A shipping professional will then offload it on a designated lot, and you can do the pickup personally, or arrange transport to its final destination.
If you consider container shipping over RORO, you can go for a single or consolidated container shipping. With this method, your car is placed in an open or closed container, and it doesn’t need to be in a running condition. The prices of container car shipping can vary, based on what exactly you choose. Besides, let’s review RORO shipping vs container shipping, in terms of general prominent distinctions:
- Personal belongings
- Arrival and departure
- Prices
Can you transport personal belongings with RORO shipping vs container shipping method?
There are various factors that will determine what is your preferred way to ship your vehicle overseas. Despite the fact that RORO is generally a more economical option, container shipping comes with some other benefits. It’s important to note that in both cases you’ll need to know how to prepare your vehicle for shipping. Further, note the following. RORO shipping vs container shipping differ in terms of what can you ship along with your car. While container shipping allows you to freight other items along, such as spare tires, or even ship your entire inventory if you opt for a single container, this is not the case with RORO. You can only ship your car, with no additions. Hence, consider this, before you decide how to ship your car. If you have many items, such as bulky office furniture or household items, it might be better to consider container shipping.
Shipping timelines
RORO has guaranteed departure and arrival dates. Thus, if you think about shipping a car from Saudi Arabia to the USA for instance, you will know exactly when it will leave the port and when will it arrive to your desired destination. Unlike RORO, container shipping doesn’t have guaranteed timeline of departure and arrival. Now, RORO shipping vs container shipping also give you different options in terms of global routes. While container shipping will get you pretty much anywhere you want to go, the logistics with RORO is a tad bit more limited, as it doesn’t have global routes.
RORO shipping vs container shipping – a bit more on the cost
Of course, the cost matters. However, if you want to get the best out of any logistics service, you need to look at the bigger picture, and if your choices are most cost-effective solution in the long run. Your moving or logistics specialist will be able to offer you the most effective solution, based on your specific shipping circumstances. In terms of the costs of RORO shipping, expect to pay less for shipping your car. If you prefer container services over RORO, you should know that this is a better option in terms of safety. As for the cost, it will depend on what type of container you choose. For instance, you can opt for an exclusive container over a shared one, in which case you should expect a higher bill as well.
In summary, this was a general overview on RORO shipping vs container shipping. It should give you a good lead in what to further look into and what to expect in general. Consult with a good logistics company, and you’ll be able to pick a service that fit your exact needs and expectations. Good luck.
