The RO/RO vessel (RO/RO or RORO) derived from the tradi- tional car ferry, where motor vehicles are driven on and off by their drivers and non-mobile traffic is loaded on flat racks. The RO/RO is equipped with ramps that make loading and unloading from the side and/or bow (front of vessel) and/ or stern (rear of vessel) possible. Benefits include fast load- ing and unloading.

 

Some modern RO/ROs are designed as a trailer/break-bulk/container carrier suitable for deep-sea voyage (long haul), making loading and unloading of containers from the top using a crane, like a full container ship. The type of cargo that can be carried on a RO/RO is flexible, including large objects. The disadvantage is low se- curity and the risk of damage occurring during loading/unloading and during on-forwarding to an inland destination.

 

For example, when transporting a large quantity of vehicles, RO/RO may not be the optimal mode of transport, depending on the road conditions and safety and security over-land. A car carrier or “own-wheels” offers considerably less protection against theft or dam- age when compared with FCL delivery by truck where vehicles are safely secured inside closed containers.

 

Thus low freight rates offered on certain routes for RO/RO may not yield overall best value for money; the entire transport chain must be considered when selecting appropriate meth- ods of transport.