Anyone ever shipped a car using Roll on Roll off (RORO)

[TVP993]

As per title.

Trying to get all the figures together to perhaps ship a car. I've done it once but that time used a 20ft container. RORO is cheaper but how safe is it. I'm told the car is rolled onto the ship and rolled off once it arrives at port.

Of course it goes without saying that insurance will be in place. However how careful are these guys that roll your P&J on and off a ship?

Would appreciate you sharing your experience/s and thoughts on this.

Cheers

[melv]

I've been delivering and collecting cars from the docks and shippers for over ten years and have only collected one damaged car which unfortunately wouldn't start, so they towed it off with a truck and the driver let it run into the back of the truck!!

Whilst it is termed RORO, they are driven on and off (if they start!)

I think the days of stories of high performance cars being ragged around the dockside are long gone -there are too many businesses and reputations at stake!!

[Red rose]

My cars are shipping RORO next week - so will be able to let you know the outcome in mid June !

I am nervous about them being ragged around the docks, and have been wondered if I should pull a plug lead off to "hobble" them - but suspect this night cause more problems than it prevents if they prove difficult to start and get shunted or towed off the boat !

Thanks for the input from Melv - I'll try and relax !

[thegoose]

Whilst I'd expect them to have booster packs if the battery's flat (as even channel ferries do) they might not bother pumping up a flat tyre, especially if they're under pressure of time. Not the biggest risk (although besides tyre/wheel damage the reduced clearance may be an issue if it results in some kind of contact) but something to be aware of.

[TVP993]

melv said:

I've been delivering and collecting cars from the docks and shippers for over ten years and have only collected one damaged car which unfortunately wouldn't start, so they towed it off with a truck and the driver let it run into the back of the truck!!

Whilst it is termed RORO, they are driven on and off (if they start!)

I think the days of stories of high performance cars being ragged around the dockside are long gone -there are too many businesses and reputations at stake!!

Thanks Melv.

YHM

[TVP993]

Red rose said:

My cars are shipping RORO next week - so will be able to let you know the outcome in mid June !

I am nervous about them being ragged around the docks, and have been wondered if I should pull a plug lead off to "hobble" them - but suspect this night cause more problems than it prevents if they prove difficult to start and get shunted or towed off the boat !

Thanks for the input from Melv - I'll try and relax !

Ian, out of interest who did you use? Would like to get a quote from them.

Did you get my message about changing your speedo?

[iguana]

Most ro ro Cars are thrashed mercilessly from cold on & off the ships.

Also spotted a gallardo & a dodge ram thing being given a proper hammering & being badly drifted by a couple of dock guys before it went in a container last year at a container yard.

[cayman-black]

iguana said:

Most ro ro Cars are thrashed mercilessly from cold on & off the ships.

Also spotted a gallardo & a dodge ram thing being given a proper hammering & being badly drifted by a couple of dock guys before it went in a container last year at a container yard.

Really ,are you winding them up?

[Nurburgsingh]

If you were a dock worker what would you do??

[SignalGruen]

melv said:

I've been delivering and collecting cars from the docks and shippers for over ten years and have only collected one damaged car which unfortunately wouldn't start, so they towed it off with a truck and the driver let it run into the back of the truck!!

And over 18 months later and the insurance company still hasn't paid out ! That said, I've imported around 10 cars RORO over the years and never had any other issues.

[TVP993]

iguana said:

Most ro ro Cars are thrashed mercilessly from cold on & off the ships.

Also spotted a gallardo & a dodge ram thing being given a proper hammering & being badly drifted by a couple of dock guys before it went in a container last year at a container yard.

You're making me really nervous!

[TVP993]

SignalGruen said:

And over 18 months later and the insurance company still hasn't paid out ! That said, I've imported around 10 cars RORO over the years and never had any other issues.

Good to hear.

I guess the main thing is to have insurance in place right?

However if the guys want to give the car a good hammering then there is no way of telling, unless they cause some damage to the bodywork.

[TheBMWDriver]

Stick a tracker in the car or a small camera.

[melv]

SignalGruen said:

And over 18 months later and the insurance company still hasn't paid out ! That said, I've imported around 10 cars RORO over the years and never had any other issues.

That's bad -thought it was obvious and no excuses!!

[Red rose]

TVP993 said:

Ian, out of interest who did you use? Would like to get a quote from them.

Did you get my message about changing your speedo?

Hi TVP

Thanks for the speedo info. I'll follow it up when the car arrives in June.

I'm using EDI Customs to bring the cars in. They were recomended by a Lotus owner I met here and seem very straight forward and on the ball.
I had previously planned to use Iron Lady, but changed my mind at the last minute and decided that there was a benefit in using someone based locally (and at the port where the vehicles will arrive). The contact there is John Leggett (john at edicustoms dot com dot au).

I'll keep you posted but am curious - what are you bringing ?
Cheers
Ian

[Mattt]

Thanks - I just dropped EDI an email.

I had been speaking to Iron Lady at first, but they seem quite slow on email responses and like you say - aren't local to Brisbane.

[Red rose]

Mattt said:

Thanks - I just dropped EDI an email.

I had been speaking to Iron Lady at first, but they seem quite slow on email responses and like you say - aren't local to Brisbane.

Hi Mattt

I had the same concerns about response to questions. I'm sure I am paranoid and they would do a fine job - but EDI were right on it - replying to emails at 11pm local time !

Anyway, we're committed now, and Porsche goes to the docks on Monday, Lotus later in the week after speedo has been swapped for a KPH one.