Short answer: A Ro-Ro timetable shows you when a ship departs from a port (ETD, Estimated Time of Departure) and arrives (ETA, Estimated Time of Arrival). This includes the rotation (the order in which ports are called at), a voyage number and the cut-off time – that is, the deadline for checking in your vehicle. ETD and ETA are always just estimates. It is essential that you meet the cut-off time and allow plenty of time in advance. Active tracking will later show you the actual times: ATD and ATA.
The key points in 5 points
- ETD and ETA are estimates and may be subject to change due to weather conditions, port capacity or changes to the rotation schedule.
- The cut-off is your strict deadline — if you miss it, the ship will set sail without your vehicle.
- The rotation reveals whether your cargo is transported directly or via a transhipment port.
- The Voyage issue It identifies a specific voyage of a ship and links the booking and tracking details.
- ATD and ATA These are the actual times and will replace the estimates as soon as they are confirmed.
What do ETD and ETA stand for?
ETD stands for Estimated Time of Departure, the estimated time of departure from the port of loading. ETA stands for Estimated Time of Arrival, the estimated time of arrival at the port of destination. Both figures are for planning purposes only; they are not guarantees. Once the ship has set sail or arrived, the terms used are ATD (Actual Time of Departure) and ATA (Actual Time of Arrival). These actual times are crucial for the handover at the destination.
Why are ETD and ETA only estimates?
Maritime shipping depends on many factors: weather and sea conditions, waiting times at congested ports, transhipments and last-minute changes to rotations. Shipping companies therefore constantly adjust their timetables. International standards, such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), set the framework within which ships operate — predictable, but not fixed to the hour. You should therefore always allow for a buffer.
What is a rotation, and what is the voyage number for?
The rotation is the fixed sequence of ports a ship calls at during a voyage — for example, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, then overseas. This tells you whether your vehicle will be transported directly or transferred to a second ship via transhipment at a hub. The voyage number refers to one specific journey and links the booking, timetable and tracking so that everyone is referring to the same voyage.
How do you meet the deadline and plan ahead?
The cut-off (also known as the closing) is the deadline for acceptance: the time by which your vehicle must be handed over at the terminal. It is often one or more days before the ETD. Work backwards from this date: delivery, document processing and customs clearance all take time. Our overview of the Key status milestones from gate-in to release.
How does tracking help with the timetable?
A timetable is a snapshot — tracking turns it into a real-time status update. Using the VIN, B/L number and AIS vessel data, you can see whether the vessel is following the planned rotation and how the ETA is changing. This allows you to spot delays at an early stage. Our article on Ro-Ro tracking using VIN, B/L and AIS.
FAQ
What is the difference between ETD and ATD?
ETD is the estimated time of departure as planned. ATD is the actual time of departure once the ship has set sail.
Is the estimated time of arrival (ETA) binding?
No. The ETA is an estimate and may be subject to change due to weather, port congestion or changes to the rotation. Only the ATA is binding.
What happens if I miss the cut-off?
In that case, your vehicle will no longer be accepted for this journey and will have to be rebooked onto a later departure. You should therefore allow plenty of time.
What does ‘transhipment’ mean?
Transhipment is the process of transferring cargo from one ship to another at an intermediate port. You can check the rotation to see whether your cargo will be transhipped.
What is the Voyage number used for?
It identifies a specific voyage of a ship and links the booking, timetable and tracking, so that all parties involved are referring to the same voyage.
All the information in this article has been carefully researched, but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Please contact us directly for a no-obligation quote.
