World’s largest (deepsea) Ro/Ro carriers
Dynamar has issued a brand new report of the subject on Deepsea Ro/Ro Shipping. It is a unique publication, focusing on two different types of roll-on/roll-off ships operating in intercontinental waters: Conventional Ro/Ro Vessels, and Vehicle Carriers. Among the many features covered, this publication offers an introduction to Ro/Ro shipping and carrier rankings and profiles on the 15 largest operators in each of the two segments. Furthermore, it contains extensive fleet analysis, while the various chapters provide relevant overviews and discuss and analyse information on trades and ports served, commodities carried, the car market, Ro/Ro in the shipping news, and so on.
One of those specialisations
Deepsea Ro/Ro Shipping is one of those specialisations that emerged in the 1960s as an important offshoot from the once one-concept-fits-all general cargo deepsea vessel. This development was actually driven by the high degree of cargo unitisation offered by the container.
The roll-on/roll-off concept itself has been existence for over 180-years now. It was invented to enable steam trains crossing rivers too wide (then) for bridges. In 1833, a wagon ferry, assumed to be world’s first Ro/Ro ship, was launched by the Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway on the Forth and Clyde Canal in Scotland.
Deepsea Ro/Ro initiatives
In May 1965, Incotrans (Holland America Line), Swedish America Line, Transatlantic Steamship and Wallenius, later on joined by Compagnie Générale Transatlantique and Cunard Line, formed the joint venture Atlantic Container Line (ACL). Two years later, they launched the “Atlantic Span”, the first purpose-built container vessel in Europe and, provided with a straight stern ramp, world’s first ConRo (Container Ro/Ro ship). She could transport 500 standard containers plus 1,100 cars.
In response to high handling costs and slow port turnaround in Australia, in 1969 Scandinavian operators East Asiatic, Transatlantic Steamship and Wilh. Wilhelmsen initiated ScanAustral. This Europe-Australia Ro/Ro service operated five 1972-built 22,000-dwt Ro/Ro multipurpose ships, incorporating an angled stern ramp. One of those, the “Tricolor” is today still serving in the US Military Sealift Command’s Ready Reserve Force fleet (as the “Cape Diamond”)!
Investment in Ro/Ro newbuildings peaked in the late 1970s, as the concept was also considered ideal for the Europe-Middle East and West Africa markets, amongst others, which were going through an infrastructure development boom. Port facilities there then were limited, causing congestion running into weeks, if not much longer, for general cargo ships. The Ro/Ro not needing extensive shore-side handling facilities made them the ideal ship for serving the developing world.
Vehicle Carriers: formidable breakbulk operators (too)
When Japan’s export of passenger cars overseas got substance by the 1950s, a need for specialised ships emerged. Yet, it took until the mid-1970s before the first Pure Car Carrier (PCC) with full Ro/Ro techniques was launched. The evolution to the PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) started shortly thereafter.
The modern PCTC is a specialist Vehicle Carrier with multiple decks, in part adjustable for flexible clearance and reinforced to handle heavier loads. A heavy duty angled/quarter stern ramp, a side ramp and a multitude of internal ramps are designed to speed up cargo handling.
Actually, through their heavy-duty ramps, PCTCs can accommodate almost any kind of cargo in addition to their core business: cars. As such they are formidable players on the breakbulk markets, including projects. For some of the PCTC operators, other-than-car cargoes make up for up to 50% of their overall income!
Green cars, green ships
In line with the consumer markets for cars where lowest possible gasoline consumption in combination with ditto emissions are key (sales tools), the modern PCTC is the quintessential ship to incorporate eco-friendly and fuel efficient features as well to ensure lowest possible emissions, zero when in port.
In the Conventional Ro/Ro segment, carrying cars as well, Italian deepsea operator Ignazio Messina has its eight newbuildings fitted with scrubbers to remove sulphur and particulates from the vessels’ exhaust systems.
Similarities and differences
Conventional Ro/Ro Vessels and Vehicle Carriers have in common that neither would be what they are without a ramp … However, the two segments are going through an opposite development: while the one is bound to contract (further) the other is in the expansion mode.
In addition to a ramp, the two segments share the carriage of cars and so called High & Heavy, an industry term for such rolling stock as buses, trucks and agricultural machinery, as well as road building and construction equipment.
However, while automobiles are a Vehicle Carrier’s base cargo, the Conventional Ro/Ro vessel is basically a breakbulk-ship-extra, for which cars is just one of the many different cargoes carried. Another difference is that the latter may be geared, while the former, by definition, is not.
Shrinkage and growth
Whereas the Conventional (deepsea) Ro/Ro vessel fleet has shrunk by nearly 90 units over the last five years, in contrast, the number of Vehicle Carriers has increased by almost the same amount: 85 ships during the same period!
During the 2009 crisis, global car markets collapsed with export volumes from Japan alone falling by 30%. Numerous Vehicle Carriers were sent into lay-up and approaching 150 units scrapped. Yet, because of a strong orderbook inherited from high economic expectations prior to the crisis, the Vehicle Carrier fleet exceeded the pre-crisis number already in 2011.
Barely any Vehicle Carrier order was placed over 2009/2011. Ordering recovered in the two years thereafter when nearly 70 units were signed for. Although 6,500 CEU is the current intercontinental car trades-working horse, among the orders are some 35 LCTCs (Large Car and Truck Carriers) of over 7,000 CEU capacity, of which at least eight larger than 8,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Units). Most of these LCTCs are Post-(Present)Panamax.
Just four (five) operators: Bahri, Grimaldi (including subsidiary ACL), Messina and Nordana were responsible for most (24) of the Conventional (deepsea) Ro/Ro’s ordered during the last five years.
In all, with the existing fleet of Vehicle Carriers providing space for 3.7 million CEU (car equivalent units) at the start of 2014, carrying capacity has overall become tight. Demand in the US and Europe with their improving economies is increasing, further fuelled by China’s growing middle class. The Conventional (deepsea) Ro/Ro’s then counted just over 320 units, providing an actual carrying capacity of 3.8 million tons deadweight. The breakbulk market is assumed to this year recover from an unexpected bad 2013.
Deepsea Ro/Ro Shipping
is an equally unique and interesting publication focusing on two different types of ships: Conventional Ro/Ro Vessels and Vehicle Carriers, the largest operators in each segment deploying them, the rolling and static cargoes they carry, the trades, routes and markets they serve, and more. The 200-page report is provided with over 70 tables and numerous ship pictures.
Summarised main contents:
- Top 15 Conventional Ro/Ro Operators - rankings, introduction and notes
- Top 15 Vehicle Carrier Operators - rankings, introduction and notes
- 39 Profiles on all top Operators and their affiliates
- Existing world fleet and orderbook
- Conventional Ro/Ro fleet analyses -> by TEU capacity, Gear and Ramp capability, Age, as well as total fleet overviews by deadweight category, TEU capacity, heavy lift capability, ramp capability, decade of built
- Vehicle Carrier fleet analyses -> by CEU capacity, Ramp capability, Age, as well as total fleet overviews by deadweight category, CEU capacity, ramp capability, decade of built
- Introduction to the Ro/Ro trades: History, Ships and Concepts
- Cargo and equipment moving over the ramp
- Worldwide Car Trades Markets reviews, trade lanes and ports covered
- 4-year Ro/Ro & Vehicle Carrier shipping news
Table 1: Divergent growth of Ro/Ro fleets
Conventional Ro/Ro Vessels and Vehicle Carriers have in common that neither would be what they are without a ramp … However, as the table shows, the two segments are going through an opposite development: while the one is contracting, the other is in the expansion mode.
Conventional Ro/RoVehicle CarriersYearNew shipsScrappedNew shipsScrapped2013102419142012729359201111315417201011416144200992159103
Table 2: Top 5 Conventional (deepsea) Ro/Ro operators
As of 1 January 2014, the five largest Conventional (deepsea) Ro/Ro operators (including sisters companies and subsidiaries) combined deployed a fleet of 93 Ro/Ro ships with total 2.4 million-dwt. Their fleet constitutes 49% of the World (deepsea) Conventional Ro/Ro fleet.
Main company Operated fleetOrder bookNo ShipsDwtShipsDwt1Grimaldi/ACL36981114492WWL11466--3NYK B&P20411--4Messina1135741805ECL15163 -Total Top 5932,37815629World Ro/Ro fleet3244,83022731Share Top 529%49%68%86%
(1,000 dwt)
Table 3: Top 5 Vehicle Carrier operators
As of 1 January 2014, world’s five largest Vehicle Carrier operators (including sisters companies and subsidiaries) combined deployed a fleet of 501 PCC, PCTC and LCTC units, with total 2,693,000 CEU. Their fleet constitutes a CEU share of 73% of the World Vehicle Carrier fleet.
Main company Operated fleetOrder bookNo ShipsCEUShipsCEU1WWL12682010762MOL124625163NYK Line1215914284"K" Line8539110745Hoegh Auto452641077Total Top 55012,69335261World VC fleet7763,67967469Share Top 565%73%52%56%
(1,000 CEU)
Dynamar has issued a brand new report of the subject on Deepsea Ro/Ro Shipping. It is a unique publication, focusing on two different types of roll-on/roll-off ships operating in intercontinental waters: Conventional Ro/Ro Vessels, and Vehicle Carriers. Among the many features covered, this publication offers an introduction to Ro/Ro shipping and carrier rankings and profiles on the 15 largest operators in each of the two segments. Furthermore, it contains extensive fleet analysis, while the various chapters provide relevant overviews and discuss and analyse information on trades and ports served, commodities carried, the car market, Ro/Ro in the shipping news, and so on.
One of those specialisations
Deepsea Ro/Ro Shipping is one of those specialisations that emerged in the 1960s as an important offshoot from the once one-concept-fits-all general cargo deepsea vessel. This development was actually driven by the high degree of cargo unitisation offered by the container.
The roll-on/roll-off concept itself has been existence for over 180-years now. It was invented to enable steam trains crossing rivers too wide (then) for bridges. In 1833, a wagon ferry, assumed to be world’s first Ro/Ro ship, was launched by the Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway on the Forth and Clyde Canal in Scotland.
Deepsea Ro/Ro initiatives
In May 1965, Incotrans (Holland America Line), Swedish America Line, Transatlantic Steamship and Wallenius, later on joined by Compagnie Générale Transatlantique and Cunard Line, formed the joint venture Atlantic Container Line (ACL). Two years later, they launched the “Atlantic Span”, the first purpose-built container vessel in Europe and, provided with a straight stern ramp, world’s first ConRo (Container Ro/Ro ship). She could transport 500 standard containers plus 1,100 cars.
In response to high handling costs and slow port turnaround in Australia, in 1969 Scandinavian operators East Asiatic, Transatlantic Steamship and Wilh. Wilhelmsen initiated ScanAustral. This Europe-Australia Ro/Ro service operated five 1972-built 22,000-dwt Ro/Ro multipurpose ships, incorporating an angled stern ramp. One of those, the “Tricolor” is today still serving in the US Military Sealift Command’s Ready Reserve Force fleet (as the “Cape Diamond”)!
Investment in Ro/Ro newbuildings peaked in the late 1970s, as the concept was also considered ideal for the Europe-Middle East and West Africa markets, amongst others, which were going through an infrastructure development boom. Port facilities there then were limited, causing congestion running into weeks, if not much longer, for general cargo ships. The Ro/Ro not needing extensive shore-side handling facilities made them the ideal ship for serving the developing world.
Vehicle Carriers: formidable breakbulk operators (too)
When Japan’s export of passenger cars overseas got substance by the 1950s, a need for specialised ships emerged. Yet, it took until the mid-1970s before the first Pure Car Carrier (PCC) with full Ro/Ro techniques was launched. The evolution to the PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) started shortly thereafter.
The modern PCTC is a specialist Vehicle Carrier with multiple decks, in part adjustable for flexible clearance and reinforced to handle heavier loads. A heavy duty angled/quarter stern ramp, a side ramp and a multitude of internal ramps are designed to speed up cargo handling.
Actually, through their heavy-duty ramps, PCTCs can accommodate almost any kind of cargo in addition to their core business: cars. As such they are formidable players on the breakbulk markets, including projects. For some of the PCTC operators, other-than-car cargoes make up for up to 50% of their overall income!
Green cars, green ships
In line with the consumer markets for cars where lowest possible gasoline consumption in combination with ditto emissions are key (sales tools), the modern PCTC is the quintessential ship to incorporate eco-friendly and fuel efficient features as well to ensure lowest possible emissions, zero when in port.
In the Conventional Ro/Ro segment, carrying cars as well, Italian deepsea operator Ignazio Messina has its eight newbuildings fitted with scrubbers to remove sulphur and particulates from the vessels’ exhaust systems.
Similarities and differences
Conventional Ro/Ro Vessels and Vehicle Carriers have in common that neither would be what they are without a ramp … However, the two segments are going through an opposite development: while the one is bound to contract (further) the other is in the expansion mode.
In addition to a ramp, the two segments share the carriage of cars and so called High & Heavy, an industry term for such rolling stock as buses, trucks and agricultural machinery, as well as road building and construction equipment.
However, while automobiles are a Vehicle Carrier’s base cargo, the Conventional Ro/Ro vessel is basically a breakbulk-ship-extra, for which cars is just one of the many different cargoes carried. Another difference is that the latter may be geared, while the former, by definition, is not.
Shrinkage and growth
Whereas the Conventional (deepsea) Ro/Ro vessel fleet has shrunk by nearly 90 units over the last five years, in contrast, the number of Vehicle Carriers has increased by almost the same amount: 85 ships during the same period!
During the 2009 crisis, global car markets collapsed with export volumes from Japan alone falling by 30%. Numerous Vehicle Carriers were sent into lay-up and approaching 150 units scrapped. Yet, because of a strong orderbook inherited from high economic expectations prior to the crisis, the Vehicle Carrier fleet exceeded the pre-crisis number already in 2011.
Barely any Vehicle Carrier order was placed over 2009/2011. Ordering recovered in the two years thereafter when nearly 70 units were signed for. Although 6,500 CEU is the current intercontinental car trades-working horse, among the orders are some 35 LCTCs (Large Car and Truck Carriers) of over 7,000 CEU capacity, of which at least eight larger than 8,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Units). Most of these LCTCs are Post-(Present)Panamax.
Just four (five) operators: Bahri, Grimaldi (including subsidiary ACL), Messina and Nordana were responsible for most (24) of the Conventional (deepsea) Ro/Ro’s ordered during the last five years.
In all, with the existing fleet of Vehicle Carriers providing space for 3.7 million CEU (car equivalent units) at the start of 2014, carrying capacity has overall become tight. Demand in the US and Europe with their improving economies is increasing, further fuelled by China’s growing middle class. The Conventional (deepsea) Ro/Ro’s then counted just over 320 units, providing an actual carrying capacity of 3.8 million tons deadweight. The breakbulk market is assumed to this year recover from an unexpected bad 2013.
Deepsea Ro/Ro Shipping
is an equally unique and interesting publication focusing on two different types of ships: Conventional Ro/Ro Vessels and Vehicle Carriers, the largest operators in each segment deploying them, the rolling and static cargoes they carry, the trades, routes and markets they serve, and more. The 200-page report is provided with over 70 tables and numerous ship pictures.
Summarised main contents:
- Top 15 Conventional Ro/Ro Operators - rankings, introduction and notes
- Top 15 Vehicle Carrier Operators - rankings, introduction and notes
- 39 Profiles on all top Operators and their affiliates
- Existing world fleet and orderbook
- Conventional Ro/Ro fleet analyses -> by TEU capacity, Gear and Ramp capability, Age, as well as total fleet overviews by deadweight category, TEU capacity, heavy lift capability, ramp capability, decade of built
- Vehicle Carrier fleet analyses -> by CEU capacity, Ramp capability, Age, as well as total fleet overviews by deadweight category, CEU capacity, ramp capability, decade of built
- Introduction to the Ro/Ro trades: History, Ships and Concepts
- Cargo and equipment moving over the ramp
- Worldwide Car Trades Markets reviews, trade lanes and ports covered
- 4-year Ro/Ro & Vehicle Carrier shipping news
Table 1: Divergent growth of Ro/Ro fleets
Conventional Ro/Ro Vessels and Vehicle Carriers have in common that neither would be what they are without a ramp … However, as the table shows, the two segments are going through an opposite development: while the one is contracting, the other is in the expansion mode.
Conventional Ro/RoVehicle CarriersYearNew shipsScrappedNew shipsScrapped2013102419142012729359201111315417201011416144200992159103
Table 2: Top 5 Conventional (deepsea) Ro/Ro operators
As of 1 January 2014, the five largest Conventional (deepsea) Ro/Ro operators (including sisters companies and subsidiaries) combined deployed a fleet of 93 Ro/Ro ships with total 2.4 million-dwt. Their fleet constitutes 49% of the World (deepsea) Conventional Ro/Ro fleet.
Main company Operated fleetOrder bookNo ShipsDwtShipsDwt1Grimaldi/ACL36981114492WWL11466--3NYK B&P20411--4Messina1135741805ECL15163 -Total Top 5932,37815629World Ro/Ro fleet3244,83022731Share Top 529%49%68%86%
(1,000 dwt)
Table 3: Top 5 Vehicle Carrier operators
As of 1 January 2014, world’s five largest Vehicle Carrier operators (including sisters companies and subsidiaries) combined deployed a fleet of 501 PCC, PCTC and LCTC units, with total 2,693,000 CEU. Their fleet constitutes a CEU share of 73% of the World Vehicle Carrier fleet.
Main company Operated fleetOrder bookNo ShipsCEUShipsCEU1WWL12682010762MOL124625163NYK Line1215914284"K" Line8539110745Hoegh Auto452641077Total Top 55012,69335261World VC fleet7763,67967469Share Top 565%73%52%56%
(1,000 CEU)