Roll-On Roll-Off (RoRo) Boat Shipping Rates & Calculator

Staring at a spreadsheet of international freight options makes you feel like you need a degree in maritime logistics just to move a boat. Between RoRo, LoLo (Lift-on/Lift-off), flat racks, and standard containers, it is impossible to know which method won't bankrupt you. Most owners default to Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) shipping because it sounds the simplest, but simplicity does not always mean it is the cheapest.

Here is the reality. To calculate your boat transport cost, you need to understand the volume-based math behind ocean freight.

Run The Ocean Freight Math

Don't guess on international transport. Select the "Ocean Freight" method in our calculator to get an instant benchmark of your costs.

What is RoRo Shipping?

Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) shipping means your boat is wheeled directly into the hull of a massive cargo ship. Your boat must be secured to a roadworthy trailer with functioning tires and lights. The port staff simply hitches the trailer to a tractor and drives it up the ship's ramp.

Because there are no cranes required, RoRo is the safest and most efficient way to ship trailerable boats internationally.

How RoRo Rates are Calculated

Unlike overland transport which relies on a simple price per mile, ocean freight carriers calculate Roll-on Roll-off boat shipping rates based on volume—specifically, cubic meters (CBM).

The math is actually pretty simple. They multiply the total length × width × height of your boat and trailer. If your boat is sitting high on the trailer, or if you have a massive T-top or radar arch, you are paying for all of that empty air.

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ RORO vs. LOLO: HOW THEY LOAD YOUR BOAT                 │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ RoRo (Roll-On Roll-Off)                                │
│ 🚢 [RAMP] <-- 🚗[Tractor] + 🛥️[Boat on Trailer]         │
│ * Drives right into the hull. Fast, safe, efficient.   │
│                                                        │
│ LoLo (Lift-On Lift-Off)                                │
│ 🏗️ [CRANE] ---⬇                                         │
│              🛥️[Bare Boat]                             │
│ * Lifted over the deck. Expensive crane fees apply.    │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Note: RoRo requires you to own the trailer, while LoLo lifts the bare hull onto the deck via cranes. For massive vessels, check out our yacht shipping guide.

RoRo vs. Container Shipping

If your boat has a beam under 7'8" and a total height under 7'10", you might fit inside a standard 40-foot High Cube shipping container. Container shipping is almost always cheaper than RoRo because cargo ships can stack containers efficiently.

However, fitting a boat into a container often requires removing the windshield, unstepping the mast, or removing the keel. If the disassembly labor costs more than the freight savings, RoRo becomes the smarter choice.

The Hidden Costs of International Shipping

When you run your numbers through an international shipping calculator, you must factor in the extras.

First, your boat must get to the port. You will likely need to hire a USA or Canada overland carrier just to get the trailer to the coastal terminal. Second, you must purchase marine cargo insurance, which typically costs 1.5% to 2.5% of the boat's total value. Explore our international shipping options for more details.

The Bottom Line

Roll-on Roll-off boat shipping is the most practical way to move a trailerable boat overseas. To keep your RoRo rates low, reduce your overall volume. Lower the bimini top, remove radar arches, and shrink-wrap the vessel tightly. You pay for every cubic inch, so making your boat physically smaller is the easiest way to save thousands.