Shipping Classic Cars via Container vs RoRo

Want to ship your classic car via roll-on/roll-off service?

Here's how to avoid shipping problems.

When shipping a car overseas, you have several options available, each with its own advantages. This post will delve into why most classic cars are rarely shipped using RoRo service.

Can you guarantee your car will start without a hitch after the car sits at the port waiting to be loaded?

Your cars won't be loaded onto the ships in a secure container or crate, instead the car will be driven on and off the ship. Classic car owners know that certain classic cars have special start up procedures, and  some may not turn on at the turn of the key.

So what would an ocean-line employee do when they attempt to drive your car on and off the ship, and the car doesn't start? They won't have access to a fork lift, which would damage classic cars anyways. All they will have at their disposal is a jump start battery. If the car won't budge with a jump start, the ocean line won't attempt to move the car without their mechanic first inspecting the car.

Now before we go any further, you must understand that the ocean carriers aren't used to dealing with classic cars, which may have an elaborate start-up procedure. They are familiar with modern cars, which they can simply get in, turn the key and go. Meaning that not only are they unlikely to follow your carefully written start-up instructions, but they may flat-out refuse to place the car on the ship.

Also, when the driver sees an old car, he may discover numerous issues which may not be a problem for you, but a huge liability risk for the ocean liner. They may find leaks, faulty wiring, or a flooded carburetor. Anything the mechanic and the ocean liner can deem to be a risk to other cars, may result in a denied shipment. While none of these issues are a problem when shipping via a container, it can be an issue on a ship where thousands of cars are in close proximity to each other, with nothing separating them. 

Is it possible to successfully ship a classic car via RoRo? Of course, but only if the car is in tip top condition, and you are willing to risk having a person who is used to starting a Lexus drive your precious classic car on and off the ship. If your classic car is in mint condition, would you want it driven by an ocean liner employee who most likely has never driven a manual car, or for that matter a classic car with a high value. To properly operate a classic car, certain knowledge is required.