Roll on-roll off ships characteristics

Ro-Ro ships are vessels designed to transport vehicles on wheels, i.e. cars, trucks or industrial vehicles. Sometimes they have built-in ramps for the loading and unloading of vehicles.

The fact that the cargo can access the ship under its own steam removes the need for a crane, thus reducing the intermediary costs related to loading, unloading and stowage.

These ships can only carry wheeled vehicles and mustn’t be confused with Ro-Pax vessels, like ferries, which combine the transport of vehicles and passengers.