Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market Size and Share
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 35.20 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 46.78 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 5.95% |
| Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market size is estimated at USD 35.20 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 46.78 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.95% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Several key factors are driving the growth of the Ro-Ro ocean freight tranport market. Firstly, as international trade and globalization expand, the demand for efficient and reliable transportation of goods has surged. Ro-Ro ships, designed for swift loading and unloading, are ideal for transporting wheeled cargo, including automobiles and heavy machinery.
As the automobile industry flourishes, so does the demand for Ro-Ro ships. With a rise in global vehicle production and consumption, there's a pressing need for efficient logistics to move vehicles from factories to dealerships or export points. Ro-Ro ships offer a secure and cost-effective solution for transporting large volumes of vehicles. New cars and vehicles dominate the Ro-Ro market, underscoring its deep ties to the automotive industry. In 2023, the global deep-sea seaborne car trade surged by 17%, totaling 23.7 million cars.
Ro-Ro operators, much like their counterparts in other shipping sectors, grapple with mounting pressures to curtail emissions. Adhering to IMO regulations, alongside others targeting sulfur emissions, CO₂ reductions, and the adoption of alternative fuels, has implications for operating costs and necessitates fleet modernization. Notably, the Ro-Ro market has witnessed advancements in vessel design, enhanced fuel efficiency, and increased automation.
Global Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market Trends and Insights
Pure Car and Truck Carriers Fuel the Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market
Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) are specialized RoRo vessels, expertly crafted to transport a diverse range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, vans, buses, and even select construction or agricultural machinery.
Modern PCTCs, characterized by their large, box-like structure and relatively flat sides, prioritize maximizing interior cargo space over hydrodynamic performance. This unique design sets PCTCs apart in the shipping industry, making them easily identifiable. Their capacities vary significantly, with the smallest units accommodating under 1,000 CEUs, while the largest can hold up to 9,200 CEUs.
In early 2025, Chinese automaker BYD unveiled the 'BYD Shenzhen', boasting a capacity of 9,200 CEUs. Höegh Autoliners introduced their Aurora Class vessels in 2024, measuring 200 meters in length, 38 meters in beam, and capable of carrying 9,100 CEUs. These vessels are designed with multiple decks, often stacking 12 to 14 high, to accommodate as many vehicles as possible.
In the coming years, the market will see the introduction of even longer PCTCs. For instance, Wallenius Wilhelmsen has placed orders for ships boasting a capacity of 11,700 CEU. These ships, either newly built or existing ones that have been upscaled, are set to start deliveries in late 2027. The 'Shaper+' Class vessels, featuring 14 decks, measure an overall length (LOA) of 238m and a beam of 40m.
Europe is a Key Hub for Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market
Europe's well-established ports and robust intermodal connectivity position it as a pivotal hub for RoRo shipping, especially for the automotive sector, solidifying its role as a crucial corridor for vehicle trade. Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands have emerged as pivotal hubs for Ro-Ro operations, streamlining the movement of automobiles and other wheeled cargo across Europe.
Amidst the backdrop of Brexit-induced trade disruptions and the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the European ro-ro cargo vessel sector grapples with escalating costs while simultaneously pursuing long-term decarbonisation solutions. However, European short-sea ro-ro trades have recently rebounded, as vehicle production normalizes after the semiconductor crises of 2021 and 2022. This resurgence has fueled a surge in car exports via ro-ro cargo ships.
Year after year, demand for unaccompanied freight has risen, even as freight volumes between the UK and EU have dwindled. This uptick is further intensified by a shortage of truck drivers and a growing preference among customers for lower carbon transport. By opting for shipping, they're bringing goods closer to their final destination and steering clear of road miles. Additionally, there's a noticeable shift towards longer routes, such as those to Iberia and Scandinavia, as customers aim to cut both costs and emissions for their cargo.
Nearshoring of manufacturing closer to European markets is expected to continue supporting Mediterranean trades, which remained stable in 2023 compared to 2022.
Competitive Landscape
The Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport market is fragmented in nature, with a mix of global and regional players. The market in is expected to grow due to several factors, such as technology integration, and growing economies.Technologies are among the important differentiators in the logistics market, and the leading competitors strive to develop in the market by adopting new and advanced technology.
Some of the major players in the market include NYK Line, K Line, COSCO Shipping, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, CMA CGM.
Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Industry Leaders
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NYK Line
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K Line
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COSCO Shipping
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Wallenius Wilhelmsen
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- January 2025: Stena RoRo has bolstered its fleet by acquiring the RoRo ship Giuseppe Lucchesi, which will be rebranded as the Stena Shipper and will sail under the Danish flag. As part of the deal, Stena RoRo is also assuming a contract with the Tunisian shipping firm Cotunav, specifically for services on the Rades - Marseille route.
- September 2024: Lines has taken over the sister ships M/V Thuleland and M/V Tundraland from Baltic Container Shipping Ltd. This move aligns with the company's ongoing strategy to expand through both the construction of new vessels and the acquisition of existing ones. The vessels, previously operated by WALLENIUS SOL—jointly owned by Wallenius Lines and Svenska Orient Linjen—aim to bolster sustainable infrastructure in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea.
Global Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market Report Scope
Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ocean freight transport is a method of transporting wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, and trailers, by using ships that are designed for this purpose. The name comes from the process of loading and unloading the cargo, which involves driving the vehicles on and off the ship using ramp.
A complete background analysis of the RoRo ocean freight transport market, including the assessment of the economy and contribution of sectors in the economy, market overview, market size estimation for key segments, and emerging trends in the market segments, market dynamics, and geographical trends is covered in the report.
RoRo Ocean Freight Transport Market is segmented by vessel type (pure car and truck carrier, others), cargo type (vehicles, locomotives and heavy equipment), end-user (automotive, construction, agricultural, industrial, others) and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America). The report offers the market size in value terms in USD for all the above mentioned segments.
| Pure Car and Truck Carrier |
| Others |
| Vehicles |
| Locomotives and Heavy Equipment |
| Automotive |
| Construction |
| Agricultural |
| Industrial |
| Others |
| North America |
| Europe |
| Asia Pacific |
| Latin America |
| Middle East and Africa |
| By Vessel Type | Pure Car and Truck Carrier |
| Others | |
| By Cargo Type | Vehicles |
| Locomotives and Heavy Equipment | |
| By End-User | Automotive |
| Construction | |
| Agricultural | |
| Industrial | |
| Others | |
| By Region | North America |
| Europe | |
| Asia Pacific | |
| Latin America | |
| Middle East and Africa |
Key Questions Answered in the Report
How big is the Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market?
The Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market size is expected to reach USD 35.20 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 5.95% to reach USD 46.78 billion by 2030.
What is the current Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market size?
In 2025, the Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market size is expected to reach USD 35.20 billion.
Who are the key players in Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market?
NYK Line, K Line, COSCO Shipping and Wallenius Wilhelmsen are the major companies operating in the Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market?
Europe is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market?
In 2025, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market.
What years does this Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market size was estimated at USD 33.11 billion. The report covers the Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport Market Report
Statistics for the 2025 Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Ro-Ro Ocean Freight Transport analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
