Europe → West Africa
Transit time: approx. 12–18 days
Regular sailings from Northern Europe to the main West African ports — for vehicles, fleets and project cargo.
LagosTemaAbidjanDakarCotonouConakryLoméTakoradiamong other things.
The three methods
We choose the route that best suits your load.
ODS Orient is a Ro-Ro freight forwarder based in Hamburg (since 1974) — specialising in the sea transport of vehicles and machinery from seven European ports to over 70 destinations worldwide.
RoRo
Roll-on / Roll-off — fast, gentle, no containers required. Usually cheaper and quicker than container shipping.
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) is a method of shipping in which vehicles drive onto the ship under their own power and are driven off again at the port of destination – without containers.
Suitable for: Cars, motorhomes, lorries, articulated lorries, buses, as well as construction and agricultural machinery (excavators, wheel loaders, tractors, cranes).
Vehicles that are not roadworthy are also acceptable, provided they can roll, be steered or be towed — they are manoeuvred on board using MAFI trailers.
Flatrack
Open platforms for oversized loads, heavy goods and OOG (over-width/over-height) cargo.
Flatracks are open platforms for oversized, heavy and OOG cargo — wherever goods are too wide or too high to fit into a standard container.
Suitable for: Construction machinery, plant and project cargo of any size.
Including professional load securing (lashing/securing) — securely lashed down for the entire sea voyage.
Container
20' or 40' containers, fully protected from the elements — including the shipment of loose goods.
Container shipping (20' / 40') provides complete protection for your cargo against the elements and allows bulk goods to be shipped in the same container.
Suitable for: Cargo that is not roadworthy, valuable or dismantled, and which requires special protection.
Fully enclosed — the right choice when safety and protection from the elements are the top priorities.
In comparison
Ro-Ro, flat rack or container?
| Method | Ideal for | Protection | Cost trends |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo | roadworthy cars, lorries, construction and agricultural machinery | out in the open on deck | cheap |
| Flatrack | Oversized loads, heavy goods, OOG machinery | open, secured | depending on the project |
| Container | not roadworthy, valuable, dismantled | completely closed | higher |
Routes
Our main routes from Northern Europe.
Regular services with reliable transit times — and a team that knows the ports.
Europe → Red Sea & Arabian Gulf
Transit time: approx. 14–18 days
Services to the Middle East — some ports in the Gulf are currently unavailable (see banner). We will let you know the available route.
JeddahAqabaSokhnaUmm Qasr+ more
Frequently Asked Questions
Ro-Ro freight forwarding in Hamburg — a brief overview.
What does ODS Orient do?+
ODS Orient is a RoRo freight forwarder based in Hamburg. Since 1974, we have been shipping vehicles and machinery via roll-on/roll-off, flat rack and container from seven European ports to over 70 destination ports worldwide – for individual vehicles, fleets and project cargo.
Is ODS Orient a haulage company based in Hamburg?+
Yes. ODS Orient (ODS ORIENT Schifffahrts- & Speditionsgesellschaft mbH) is based at Mönkedamm 15, 20457 Hamburg, and specialises in the Ro-Ro sea transport of vehicles and machinery.
What shipping methods does ODS Orient offer?+
ODS Orient offers three methods: RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) for roadworthy vehicles and machinery, flat rack for oversized and heavy cargo, and container shipping (20'/40') for cargo requiring special protection. For most roadworthy vehicles, RoRo is the most cost-effective option.
From which ports does ODS Orient ship its cargo?+
ODS Orient ships from seven European ports – with Hamburg as its home port and a focus on Northern Europe – and serves more than 70 destination ports worldwide.
Where is the ODS Orient sailing to?+
ODS Orient ships from Hamburg and Northern Europe to over 70 ports – including West Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
What is the difference between Ro-Ro and container shipping?+
With RoRo, vehicles roll onto the ship under their own power; with container shipping, they are transported inside a container. RoRo is usually cheaper and faster, whilst container shipping offers greater protection from the elements. For standard vehicles, RoRo is usually the most cost-effective option.
How do I get a quote from ODS Orient?+
Please send your enquiry, including the vehicle/machinery dimensions, weight, and the ports of loading and destination, via the contact form or to [email protected]. You will usually receive a personalised quote within 24 to 48 hours.