Cars and vehicle batches
New or used vehicles must start, steer, brake and move safely under their own power. Share the model, quantity, dimensions and condition before booking.
ROLL-ON / ROLL-OFF
RoRo shipping for vehicles and machinery
Ocean transport for dealers, importers and vehicle owners. We coordinate collection, export, the RoRo sailing and onward delivery around your vehicle, route and delivery window.
Request a RoRo quoteRoRo
What is RoRo shipping?
RoRo means Roll-on/Roll-off: vehicles drive onto a vessel via a ramp, are secured on a vehicle deck and drive off at the destination port. No individual container is used. The ocean leg can be combined with collection and final delivery by road.
For one vehicle, repeat dealer imports, mixed vehicle batches, commercial vehicles and self-propelled machinery. We transport vehicles already purchased; sourcing and auction bidding are outside this service.
Can your vehicle travel by RoRo?
Electric vehicles and hybrids
Accepted on suitable services after the carrier checks the vehicle and battery information. Confirm the permitted state of charge and required declarations for the actual sailing.
Commercial vehicles and machinery
Vans, trucks and self-propelled equipment are assessed by dimensions, weight, ground clearance and loading requirements. Ramp and deck limits depend on the vessel.
Our RoRo service does not accept vehicles with faults or non-running vehicles, or personal belongings inside the vehicle. Tell us about damage, leaks or warning messages before arranging collection.
From the ramp to the vehicle deck
Photographs supplied by West Matterhorn for operational familiarisation, including our logistics team. They show vessel operations; not every vehicle pictured is a West Matterhorn shipment.
How a RoRo shipment works
- 01
Vehicle and route check
We review condition, dimensions, documents and destination. The service, ports, acceptance and terminal delivery deadline are confirmed before collection.
- 02
Collection and port handover
Agreed road transport brings the vehicle to the terminal. Export documentation and handover records must be ready for the booked shipment.
- 03
Loading and ocean transit
Terminal and vessel teams drive the vehicle on board and secure it. Departure, transshipment where applicable, and arrival depend on the booked service.
- 04
Release and final delivery
Destination release, customs coordination and onward road transport follow the agreed scope. At handover, check the vehicle against its condition record.
RoRo or container shipping?
Full Container Load| Decision | RoRo | Full Container Load |
|---|---|---|
| Loading | Vehicle drives onto the vessel and is secured on deck. | Vehicle is loaded and secured inside a container. |
| Vehicle condition | For our service: operational vehicles without faults. | Non-running or damaged vehicles may be possible after a safe loading plan is confirmed. |
| Shipment size | Single vehicles or batches, subject to vessel space. | One to four vehicles, depending on dimensions and the loading plan. |
| Route and handling | Depends on RoRo calls, vehicle acceptance and terminal access. | Depends on container services, loading facilities and destination handling. |
| Cost comparison | Compare the entire route, including terminal and road charges. | Include container loading, securing, unloading and onward delivery. |
What determines the RoRo shipping cost?
Request a RoRo quoteA sea-freight rate is only one part of the total. We prepare a route-specific quote so you can compare the same collection and delivery scope across shipping methods.
Vehicle and quantity
Make, model, year, dimensions, weight, condition and number of units. Non-standard equipment needs actual measurements and photos.
Ocean route and departure
Origin and destination ports, available vessel space, service schedule and any transshipment or carrier surcharges.
Collection and terminals
Road collection, export support and port handling. Storage or extra preparation can add costs if the vehicle or documents are not ready.
Destination and optional services
Port release and final delivery depend on the agreed scope. Ask for duties, taxes, customs services and optional cargo insurance to be identified separately in the quote.
Documents for RoRo vehicle shipping
- Vehicle identification and ownership
- VIN or chassis number, registration or title as applicable, and invoice or bill of sale. The exact checklist depends on the origin and destination.
- Shipper, consignee and export
- Sender and receiver details, export documents and any required authority to act. Import eligibility should be checked before shipment.
- Booking and transport documents
- Booking details, terminal handover records and the Bill of Lading or Sea Waybill, issued at the relevant stage. These are not all documents you must already hold at the first inquiry.
- EV, hybrid or specialist equipment
- Battery and operating information, declarations or other carrier-requested documents. Requirements are checked for the vehicle type and service.
Before handing over the vehicle
- Remove personal belongings from the cabin and boot.
- Check operation, brakes, steering and tyres; report any damage or leaks.
- Provide keys and any instructions needed to move the vehicle.
- Follow the confirmed fuel or battery-charge limits; there is no single percentage for all carriers.
- Clean the vehicle as required and document its condition before handover.
RoRo transit times: evidence from our cases
Fuzhou → Bremerhaven
40 days port to portMixed Chinese vehicle batch, 2026
View case
Shanghai → Jebel Ali, UAE
23 days port to portTwo new Hyundai and Volvo excavators
View caseThese are completed-shipment results, not a current sailing schedule. The BYD case records 40 days port to port; the machinery case records 23 actual days. Collection, waiting for a vessel, port release and final delivery can extend the overall timeline.
Who handles each part of the shipment?
West Matterhorn
We plan the route and coordinate the agreed transport, documentation and operational participants. The quote defines where our scope starts and ends.
Customer and receiving party
Provide accurate vehicle details, ownership documents and a vehicle ready for shipment. Confirm destination requirements and the party responsible for import clearance.
Carrier and terminal teams
Carry out terminal handling, vessel loading, securing and the sea leg. Cargo insurance is arranged on request; tracking availability depends on the carrier and route.
In practice
Real West Matterhorn projects
Questions about RoRo shipping
Is RoRo cheaper than container shipping?
It can be, but there is no universal winner. Compare ocean freight, road legs, terminal handling, container loading where relevant and destination charges for the same route and vehicle count.
Can I ship just one car by RoRo?
Yes, we consider single-vehicle shipments as well as dealer batches. Acceptance depends on the vehicle, route, departure and available vessel space.
Can electric cars and hybrids travel by RoRo?
Yes, on services that accept the specific vehicle. Battery condition, state of charge and required documents must be confirmed before terminal delivery. Do not assume all carriers use the same charge limit.
Can a damaged or non-running vehicle be shipped by RoRo?
Our RoRo service does not accept vehicles with faults or vehicles that cannot move safely under their own power. We can assess a container alternative based on condition and loading feasibility.
Can I leave luggage or spare parts inside the car?
No personal belongings are accepted in our RoRo shipments. Do not use the cabin or boot for extra cargo. Ask us to check any essential vehicle equipment against the carrier rules before delivery.
Are vehicles exposed to the weather at sea?
The vehicle-carrier arrangement illustrated here uses enclosed vehicle decks. A vehicle can still spend time in an outdoor terminal before or after the sailing. Confirm the handling scope and arrange cargo insurance if required.
Does a RoRo quote include delivery to my address?
It can include collection and onward road delivery when requested. Confirm the exact endpoints and included services in the quote: port-to-port and door-to-door are different scopes.
What should I send for a RoRo quote?
Collection and delivery locations, make, model, year, number of vehicles, condition, preferred timing and your contact details. For machinery, include dimensions, weight and photographs.
Carrier requirements
Vehicle preparation requirements may vary between carriers. Before shipment, we will confirm the selected carrier’s requirements and let you know what to prepare.
Content updated:
More about shipping by origin
Vehicle collection, documents and route options. Each shipment is confirmed individually.