What is RoRo shipping?
RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) means the car is driven onto a specialized vessel and secured on a deck. It is the simplest and usually cheapest method for a single running vehicle, with direct sailings to major ports like Jebel Ali, Lagos, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.
What is container shipping?
The car is loaded into a 20ft or 40ft container. You can share a container with another vehicle or with auto parts, which often makes it cost-competitive while adding protection from weather and rough handling.
Cost comparison
| Factor | RoRo | Container |
|---|---|---|
| Price (single car) | Usually lower | Higher alone; cheaper shared |
| Protection | Open deck, weather exposure | Enclosed, lower risk |
| Transit | Direct sailings, 15–45 days | Similar, sometimes via hub |
| Best for | Running cars, tight budget | Luxury, non-runners, parts + car |
Which should you pick?
- Choose RoRo if the car runs, your port has RoRo service, and you want the lowest cost.
- Choose container if the car is high-value or non-running, you are also shipping parts, or your port lacks RoRo calls.
Tip
For West Africa and East Africa, RoRo to the main gateway (Lagos, Mombasa) is common; for landlocked or smaller ports, container to the nearest hub then on-carriage is often smoother. Ask your exporter which sailings are current — schedules shift seasonally.