Booking a RoRo shipment is easier than you think: you request a quote, submit your vehicle details, confirm the booking and prepare the documents. Then you deliver the vehicle to the terminal, where it is inspected and loaded onto the ship. The entire process from enquiry to loading typically takes 5-10 working days.
Before you can request a quote, you should gather some basic information. The more complete your details, the quicker you will receive a binding offer - and the smoother the entire booking process will be.
You need the following data:
Requesting a quote is the first step and determines how quickly you receive a reliable estimate. You can request a quote from a specialised RoRo freight forwarder such as ODS Orient online, by email or by phone.
Important: RoRo invoicing is not based on weight, but on volume (cubic metres, cbm). The formula is: length × width × height = cubic metres. The larger the volume, the higher the freight price. It is therefore crucial that your measurements are exact.
You can find out more about the digital booking process in our article on the digital RoRo booking process (https://odsorient.com/digitaler-roro-buchungsprozess-so-bereitest-du-deine-verschiffung-optimal-vor).
Typically, you will receive a detailed quote with freight costs, estimated transit time and the next available departures within 24-48 hours.
Once the booking has been confirmed, the preparation of the transport documents begins. These are essential for export and subsequent customs clearance at the port of destination.
Your freight forwarder should guide you through the entire documentation process. You can find a complete checklist in our article on the RoRo checklist (https://odsorient.com/checkliste-fuer-die-roro-verschiffung).
Once all the documents have been prepared and the loading date has been set, the vehicle must be taken to the RoRo terminal. There are two options for this:
Self-delivery: You drive the vehicle to the terminal yourself and hand it over there. Advantage: inexpensive. Disadvantage: You need a return journey.
Advance transport: A transport service provider collects the vehicle from you and brings it to the harbour. Ideal for long distances or vehicles that are not roadworthy.
Once at the terminal, the vehicle goes through the so-called gate-in. It is inspected, its condition is documented and photos are taken. This condition report is important for any damage claims after arrival.
After gate-in, the vehicle is parked on the terminal site and waits to be loaded - usually a few days before the planned departure.
On the day of loading, trained harbour personnel drive your vehicle over the stern ramp onto the RoRo ship. On board, it is positioned and secured on the assigned deck - typically with brake wedges and lashing straps for cars and chains and lashing equipment for heavy loads.
As the shipper, you are not present during loading and have no access to the ship. The entire process is carried out by the terminal and the shipping company. After successful loading, you will receive the Bill of Lading (B/L) - the central freight document that authorises the recipient at the port of destination to collect the cargo.
Once the ship has departed, you can usually track the transport status online. Most shipping companies and freight forwarders offer tracking systems that allow you to check the current status using the B/L number or the VIN (vehicle identification number).
Typical status milestones are
The most common problems with the first RoRo booking can be easily avoided with good preparation:
It typically takes 1-3 working days from the request for a quote to the confirmed booking. Delivery to the terminal should take place 3-5 days before the planned departure.
Yes, cancellations are generally possible, but cancellation fees may apply depending on when you cancel. The earlier you cancel, the lower the costs.
No, you can book a pre-carriage transport. Your carrier will organise the collection of the vehicle and transport to the terminal.
If the vehicle arrives at the terminal after the cut-off time, it can no longer be loaded onto the planned ship. It will then be rebooked onto the next available departure.
A freight forwarder is not required by law, but is strongly recommended. He takes care of customs clearance, documentation and terminal coordination - things that can be very complex without experience.
Booking a RoRo shipment is not rocket science - provided you prepare well and work with an experienced partner. The most important steps: Collect measurements and data, request a quote, prepare documents, deliver the vehicle on time.
At ODS Orient, we guide you through the entire process - from the initial enquiry to collection at the port of destination. Contact us for a non-binding offer: https://odsorient.com/kontakt
Do you have any questions or would you like a non-binding offer? Contact us directly: https://odsorient.com/kontakt
All information in this article has been carefully researched but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the topicality, accuracy and completeness of the information provided.
Booking a RoRo shipment is easier than you think: you request a quote, submit your vehicle details, confirm the booking and prepare the documents. Then you deliver the vehicle to the terminal, where it is inspected and loaded onto the ship. The entire process from enquiry to loading typically takes 5-10 working days. Short answer [...]
In principle, all rollable vehicles and machines can be shipped by RoRo - from cars and off-road vehicles to lorries and semi-trailers to construction machinery, agricultural machinery and mobile homes. The decisive factor is that the load can be driven or towed independently. Non-roadworthy vehicles are also possible, provided they are steerable or can be loaded onto a MAFI trailer. [...]
