The Shipping Choice That Matters More Than You Think
Container versus RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) is not just a cost question. It affects transit time, damage exposure, port routing, insurance premium, and — for EV — regulatory feasibility. This is the practical decision guide.
What RoRo Is
RoRo vessels are drive-on / drive-off — your vehicle is driven onto the ship, parked on a car deck alongside hundreds of others, and driven off at destination. The vehicle spends the voyage exposed to marine air but not weather.
What Container Is
Vehicle is lashed inside a 20-foot or 40-foot high-cube (40HQ) container. The container is loaded onto a container vessel among cargo containers of every kind.
Cost Comparison (indicative, Shanghai baseline)
- RoRo Shanghai → Vladivostok: USD 550-750 per unit.
- Container 40HQ Shanghai → Vladivostok: USD 950-1,300 per container (fits 1 SUV or 2 sedans).
- RoRo Shanghai → Jebel Ali: USD 950-1,250 per unit.
- Container 40HQ Shanghai → Jebel Ali: USD 1,400-1,900 per container.
- RoRo Shanghai → Mombasa: USD 1,050-1,400 per unit.
- Container 40HQ Shanghai → Lagos: USD 2,200-2,800 per container.
Speed Comparison
- RoRo runs on fixed schedule with fewer port calls; door-to-port is often 3-7 days faster than container to the same destination.
- Container schedules are more frequent but with more transshipment stops.
- For Vladivostok, RoRo is dramatically faster (7-10 days vs 14-20 for container via multiple transshipments).
Damage Exposure
- RoRo damage rate (dents, scratches, minor cosmetic): approximately 3-6% of shipped units at some level, majority minor.
- Container damage rate: under 1%, and mostly loading/unloading (not transit).
- Luxury EV, premium finish, matte paint: container strongly preferred to protect finish. RoRo staff handling is fine but adjacent-vehicle contact happens.
EV / PHEV Regulatory Consideration
- EVs are IMDG Class 9 (lithium battery hazard). Container: standard practice, low fuss (typical USD 250-500 surcharge per unit).
- RoRo carriers have varied policies on EV — most accept, some restrict, all require battery State-of-Charge documentation. Check with the specific carrier before booking.
Ports That Don't Have RoRo Access
Container only for: Sokhna (Egypt Red Sea), Aqaba, most inland-rail routes to Central Asia (Khorgos), Termez, Bandar Abbas onward.
RoRo strong for: Vladivostok, Jebel Ali, Mombasa, Durban, Lagos, Alexandria, Damietta.
Decision Framework
- Single vehicle, standard model, RoRo port: RoRo (cost-effective).
- Single luxury EV or premium finish: Container (protect the finish).
- Two vehicles same destination, RoRo port: Container 40HQ (splits cost, often cheaper per unit).
- Non-running vehicle: Container only.
- Inland destination (Kazakh, Uzbek, Iraq via land): Container/rail.
Insurance
Marine insurance is optional but strongly recommended, typically 0.15-0.35% of vehicle value. Container transit sees fewer claims than RoRo, so premium is often lower for container.
Talk to Us
Message model, destination port, single or multi-unit. We recommend the shipping method with best cost/protection balance for your specific vehicle and route.