How Ships Carry Cars
Ships transport cars using specialized vessels such as roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ships, container ships, and heavy-lift carriers. RoRo vessels allow vehicles to drive directly on and off the deck via ramps, making loading and unloading fast. Container ships secure cars in standard shipping containers, while heavy-lift ships handle oversized or luxury vehicles.
Why Ships Are Used for Car Transport
Ships are the primary method for moving cars across oceans because they are cost-effective and can carry thousands of vehicles per voyage. According to industry data, maritime shipping remains the most common way to move new vehicles between continents, supporting global supply chains and automakers.
Key Steps in Shipping Cars by Sea
Cars are inspected, fueled to a safe level, and secured on the vessel using straps or chocks. They are loaded at origin ports, transported across the sea, and unloaded at destination ports. After customs clearance, vehicles are delivered to dealers or customers via truck.
For detailed statistics on global vehicle shipping volumes, see the data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development at https://unctad.org/.
