{"id":99947,"date":"2026-10-23T11:30:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T11:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/what-is-a-ro-ro-ship"},"modified":"2026-10-23T11:30:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T11:30:42","slug":"what-is-a-ro-ro-ship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/what-is-a-ro-ro-ship","title":{"rendered":"Was ist ein Ro-Ro-Schiff? Roll-on-Roll-off-Schiffe erkl\u00e4rt"},"content":{"rendered":"<head><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n            \"headline\": \"What Is a Ro-Ro Ship? Roll-On Roll-Off Vessels Explained\",\n            \"description\": \"What is a ro-ro ship? How roll-on roll-off vessels and car carriers work, types of ro-ro, ro-ro vs container shipping for cars, and travelling on one.\",\n            \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/what-is-a-ro-ro-ship\",\n            \"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/what-is-a-ro-ro-ship-cargoholidays-1024x576.jpg\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-10-23\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-23\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n            \"author\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\"\n            },\n            \"publisher\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n            \"mainEntity\": [\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What does ro-ro mean?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Roll-on roll-off: vehicles are driven on and off the ship by ramp.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How many cars can a ro-ro ship carry?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"The biggest car carriers can carry over 7,000&ndash;9,000 cars.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Is ro-ro cheaper than container shipping?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Usually yes, for shipping a single drivable car.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can I put things in my car on a ro-ro ship?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Usually not. Personal items are generally not allowed in cars shipped by ro-ro.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can passengers travel on ro-ro ships?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes, on ro-pax ferries, and on some ro-ro cargo ships with passenger cabins.\"\n                    }\n                }\n            ]\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script>\n<\/head><div class=\"ch-post\"><p class=\"ch-updated\">Zuletzt aktualisiert: 23. Oktober 2026<\/p><p><strong>A ro-ro ship, short for roll-on roll-off, is a ship that carries wheeled cargo driven on and off by ramp.<\/strong> Cars, trucks, buses, tractors and even trains roll aboard, instead of being lifted by crane. Here&rsquo;s how ro-ro ships work, the main types, and why they matter if you&rsquo;re shipping a car or travelling by sea.<\/p>How ro-ro ships work<ul><li><strong>Ramps:<\/strong> a large stern or side ramp lowers onto the quay.<\/li><li><strong>Decks:<\/strong> vehicles drive up internal ramps to multiple decks, some adjustable in height for trucks and machinery.<\/li><li><strong>Lashing:<\/strong> each vehicle is secured with straps or chains for the voyage.<\/li><li><strong>Geschwindigkeit:<\/strong> loading and unloading is fast, because there&rsquo;s no crane work.<\/li><\/ul><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_277741774-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"Fast cargo vessel near a seaport\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Fast cargo vessel near a seaport\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Ro-ro ships have ramps so vehicles can drive on and off.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Types of ro-ro ship<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Type<\/th><th>What it carries<\/th><th>Example use<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>PCC \/ PCTC (pure car and truck carrier)<\/td><td>Thousands of cars and trucks<\/td><td>New cars from Japan, Korea and Europe<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ro-pax<\/td><td>Vehicles and passengers<\/td><td>Ferries across the Channel, Irish Sea and Baltic<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Con-ro<\/td><td>Vehicles and containers<\/td><td>Routes to West Africa and South America<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ro-ro cargo ship<\/td><td>Trucks, trailers and heavy machinery<\/td><td>Short-sea freight routes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><p>The biggest car carriers can carry <strong>over 7,000&ndash;9,000 cars<\/strong>. They look like giant floating boxes with no visible decks.<\/p><h2>Ro-ro vs container shipping for cars<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th><\/th><th>Ro-ro<\/th><th>Container<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Cost<\/td><td>Usually cheapest<\/td><td>More expensive<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Personal items in the car<\/td><td>Not allowed<\/td><td>Allowed in sole-use containers<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Protection<\/td><td>Inside a covered deck<\/td><td>Sealed in a steel box<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Car must be drivable<\/td><td>Usually<\/td><td>Nein<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><p>Read <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/car-shipping-costs-from-uk\/\">car shipping costs from the UK<\/a> und <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/importing-a-car-from-japan-to-uk\/\">importing a car from Japan to the UK<\/a>.<\/p><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cargo-Ship-Travel-Cargoholidays9-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Containerschiff auf See\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Containerschiff auf See\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Ro-ro and container shipping are the two main ways to ship a car.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Can you travel on a ro-ro ship?<\/h2><p>Yes. <strong>Ro-pax ferries<\/strong> are designed for passengers. Some ro-ro and con-ro cargo ships also take a few passengers in cabins, especially on routes to West Africa and South America. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/cargo-ship-to-west-africa\/\">cargo ship to West Africa<\/a> und <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/freighter-travel-from-antwerp\/\">freighter travel from Antwerp<\/a>.<\/p><h2>Ro-ro ships and safety<\/h2><p>Ro-ro ships have large open vehicle decks, so watertight integrity, cargo securing and fire safety are tightly regulated. International rules were strengthened after past accidents, and modern ro-ro ships are built and operated to strict standards.<\/p><p>Explore other ship types: <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/what-is-a-bulk-carrier\/\">what is a bulk carrier<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/freight-ship-types-of-cargo-ships\/\">freight ship types<\/a> und <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/biggest-ships-in-the-world\/\">biggest ships in the world<\/a>.<\/p><h2>H\u00e4ufig gestellte Fragen<\/h2><div class=\"ch-faq\"><h3>What does ro-ro mean?<\/h3><p>Roll-on roll-off: vehicles are driven on and off the ship by ramp.<\/p><h3>How many cars can a ro-ro ship carry?<\/h3><p>The biggest car carriers can carry over 7,000&ndash;9,000 cars.<\/p><h3>Is ro-ro cheaper than container shipping?<\/h3><p>Usually yes, for shipping a single drivable car.<\/p><h3>Can I put things in my car on a ro-ro ship?<\/h3><p>Usually not. Personal items are generally not allowed in cars shipped by ro-ro.<\/p><h3>Can passengers travel on ro-ro ships?<\/h3><p>Yes, on ro-pax ferries, and on some ro-ro cargo ships with passenger cabins.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"ch-cta\"><strong>Travel on a ro-ro ship<\/strong><p>Ask us about passenger cabins on ro-ro ships to Africa and South America.<\/p><a class=\"ch-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/anfrage-fur-eine-frachtschiffreise\/\">Angebot f\u00fcr eine Reise anfordern \u2192<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<style>\n.ch-post{font-family:inherit;line-height:1.7;color:#1f2937;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto}\n.ch-post h2{font-size:1.6em;margin:1.8em 0 .6em;color:#0b2545;border-bottom:3px solid #f5a623;padding-bottom:.25em}\n.ch-post h3{font-size:1.15em;margin:1.4em 0 .3em;color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post p{margin:0 0 1em}\n.ch-post ul,.ch-post ol{margin:0 0 1.2em 1.3em}\n.ch-post li{margin:.35em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-updated{font-size:.9em;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-table{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.2em 0 1.6em}\n.ch-post table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:.95em}\n.ch-post th{background:#0b2545;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:.65em .8em}\n.ch-post td{padding:.6em .8em;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top}\n.ch-post tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6f8fb}\n.ch-post .ch-faq{background:#f6f8fb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1em 0 2em}\n.ch-post .ch-faq h3{margin-top:1em}\n.ch-post .ch-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0b2545,#13315c);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:1.6em 1.8em;margin:2.2em 0;text-align:center}\n.ch-post .ch-cta strong{display:block;font-size:1.35em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:#fff}\n.ch-post .ch-cta p{color:#dbe4f0;margin:.2em 0 1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-btn{display:inline-block;background:#f5a623;color:#0b2545 !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;padding:.8em 1.6em;border-radius:999px}\n.ch-post .ch-btn:hover{background:#ffbb45}\n.ch-post em{color:#4b5563}\n<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Was ist ein Ro-Ro-Schiff? Wie Roll-on-Roll-off-Schiffe und Autotransporter funktionieren, verschiedene Arten von Ro-Ro-Schiffen, Ro-Ro-Schiffe im Vergleich zur Containerschifffahrt f\u00fcr Autos und Reisen mit einem Ro-Ro-Schiff.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99946,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single3.php","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[356,118],"tags":[1741,1528,1729,1588,1742],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99947"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99947"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99948,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99947\/revisions\/99948"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99947"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=99947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}