There has been a lot of progress in many industries with advancements in technology. For example, shipping cars overseas is not what it used to be; it’s more advanced and efficient than before. If you’ve ever had to move overseas, whether for a career change or military service, you might have had to ship your vehicle.
It must have been a seamless process, especially if you used the right shipping company. But what made the process seamless and smooth? Among other things, using RORO shipping services is on the list. It’s no longer a hassle to load and unload vehicles on a ship.
Let’s discuss how RORO shipping started and the various types. You can also check this resource for more insight on RORO ship types: https://seanews.co.uk/.
How RORO Shipping Started
Before the 1830s, using the roll-on/roll-off shipping method was not existent. If cargo had to be loaded or unloaded from a ship, it had to be done using different methods, including manual lifting. It was a lot of work and required careful attention. Also, it puts workers in the path of danger because of the weight of such cargo and the large margin for error.
However, in the 1830s, necessity birthed invention, and the RORO method of shipping was invented in Scotland using a wagon ferry. But that was only a local way of doing it; a more modern and expansive RORO ship was built about a decade later in Britain. Because of its efficiency and ease of use, the method became highly popular.
Before these ships began to transport vehicles, they first carried railing stock and other merchandise. That means they ferried trains; the vessels’ ramps had rails so the trains and their parts could easily roll onboard the ships.
Over time and with the advent of World War 1, these ships had to move military vehicles across seas and the ramps had to be designed to easily load and unload cars. The same applied during World War 2; the only difference was that the shipping vessels were bigger to accommodate more military jeeps and tanks.
That changed the course of history as break-bulking was slowly fazed out and replaced with RORO shipping. Today, you’ll find special carriers made for transporting vehicles; they are fitted with all the parts and equipment to carry and hold different types of vehicles.
What Else Can RORO Car Shipping Vessels Carry?
Apart from personal and military automobiles, these shipping vessels are excellent for carrying other heavy-duty automobiles and equipment, especially if they can roll on their own. For example, in mining and construction, RORO comes in handy as the ships can carry heavy equipment and machinery with wheels.
They can be rolled up the built-in ramps and settled in the holding areas for transport. The machinery and equipment include vehicles like bulldozers, cranes, and excavators. Large vehicles from mining and construction sites can also go into the vessels along with other equipment. Click here to learn more about cargo handling in different types of ships.
Industries that handle large machinery and equipment benefit from the invention and improvement of roll-on/roll-off shipping vessels; gone are the days when they had to be moved on land or cargo trains exclusively. In the event of a natural disaster, such as a storm, tornado, or earthquake, and the roads or rails are unpassable, the seas can be used to deliver relief items and equipment to affected areas and RORO shipping vessels play a vital role.
Additionally, the automotive industry has benefited a lot from the advent of these vessels as they can transport all types of cars, trucks, trams, motorbikes, buses, and other vehicle types. RORO shipping is fast, affordable, efficient, and safe.
RORO Ships: Types
There are different types of RORO ships for various purposes. Not all of them are exclusively for cargo; some can also ferry passengers along with cargo. Many are large enough to have up to thirteen decks, so they can hold multiple vehicles simultaneously.
A car shipping company can pick a RORO ship depending on its transportation needs. It can be chosen based on the port facilities, operations, destination, number of cars, and route. When you choose this car shipping company, it loads your vehicles based on type, size, weight, and a few other factors. For instance, sedans and similar cars may take up one deck, and motorbikes and similar vehicles take up another, instead of mixing everything up.
The following are the primary types of RORO ships:
ROPAX: It is a type of ship with ramps that allow for rolling on and rolling off of goods but that’s not all it does. It can also carry passengers, although they stay on different decks. Have you ever been on a car-carrying ferry? This is a type of ROPAX.
ConRO: This type allows for roll-on and roll-off methods but also uses lift-on and lift-off methods, too. Have you seen a ship with containers on the top deck? Cranes are used to lift them onto the top, while vehicles are rolled onto lower decks.
LMSR: This acronym means large medium-speed roll-off and is a type of ship for military cargo. It was popular during the World War periods but many now ferry civilian cargo.
Conclusion
Understanding the history of RORO ships and how they work is crucial in knowing how your cargo is handled when you need to transport your vehicles overseas. Many shipping services use this method because it is fast, affordable, efficient, and has less risk of damage. If you plan to move abroad, it may be the best way to get your automobiles and other heavy equipment to your new location.
