RORO

RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) describes both a ship type and a freight mode where wheeled cargo — cars, trucks, buses, trailers, agricultural machinery, military vehicles, project cargo on MAFI trailers — is driven on and off the vessel via stern or side ramps.

RORO is dominant in finished vehicle logistics (Pure Car/Truck Carriers — PCTC — carry up to 8,000+ cars per voyage), trailer-based intra-EU and Mediterranean trades, and military sealift. It is also used for project cargo and heavy lift items that can be wheeled onto MAFI trailers but wouldn't fit in containers.

The two main commercial variants are Pure Car/Truck Carriers (PCTC) for vehicles and ConRo (combined container + RORO) ships for mixed trade. Ferry operators on short routes also use RORO ships extensively for road haulage trailers.