Roll-on/roll-off shipping is fast and cost-effective for vehicles and machinery — but only if you prep correctly. Here are the details that make or break a RoRo booking.
What RoRo is best for
Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping is built for anything that moves on its own wheels or tracks: cars, trucks, trailers, excavators, loaders, tractors, boats on trailers, and self-propelled machinery. It is usually faster and more cost-effective than container shipping for these items because there is no packing, lifting or lashing into a box.
Pre-shipment preparation
This is where most delays happen. Before drop-off:
- Clean the unit thoroughly. MPI biosecurity in New Zealand is strict — soil, seeds, plant matter or insects will get your machine quarantined or refused. Steam clean undercarriages and tracks.
- Fuel level under 1/4 tank. Most carriers require this. Some refuse units with full tanks outright.
- Disable alarms. Aftermarket alarms triggering mid-voyage cause real problems on the deck.
- Disconnect non-essential batteries on machinery that will sit for more than a week.
- Secure loose items. Anything that can move inside the cab or tray must be removed or strapped down.
Documentation you will need
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Original registration or de-registration paperwork
- Photos of the unit from all four sides plus interior (insurance baseline)
- For machinery: a cleaning declaration for MPI
- Operator's manual or keys for stowage handling
On the day
Drive-on units are driven aboard by stevedores. Non-running units need to be declared as static cargo in advance — they ship on a MAFI trailer and are charged differently. Surprising the carrier on the day with a non-runner is the single most common cause of missed sailings.
Common mistakes
- Underestimating cleaning requirements for biosecurity
- Booking RoRo for a unit that turns out to be non-running
- Forgetting to remove personal items from cabs (often refused at port)
- Missing the cut-off — RoRo cut-offs are typically 24–48 hours before sailing, not the day of
Get the prep right and RoRo is the most efficient way to move wheeled and tracked cargo. Get it wrong and you are paying storage at the port while you sort it out.