If you’ve ever tried to ship a car or goods from the United States or Europe to Ghana, you’ve probably come across two main options: RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) and container shipping. At first glance, the price difference between the two might make you pause. Why does container shipping almost always cost more? Is it just about security, or is there more going on behind the scenes?
The truth isn’t as simple as saying one is “better” than the other. Both methods serve different purposes, and the cost structure reflects that. To really understand the price gap, you need to look at the bigger picture—everything from how space is used to how ports operate. Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense.
The Basics: RORO vs. Container Shipping
RORO shipping is pretty straightforward. Your car or truck gets driven onto the vessel, secured on the deck (or inside a special garage-like section), and then driven off when it reaches Ghana. No fancy lifting equipment. No enclosed box. It’s simple and efficient.
Container shipping, on the other hand, involves placing your vehicle inside a steel container. If it’s a 20-foot container, that’s usually one car. A 40-foot container can fit two cars, sometimes three if they’re small enough and stacked using a racking system. The container is then loaded onto the ship using cranes. When the vessel arrives in Ghana, the process reverses.
So, why does putting the car in a box cost more? On the surface, it seems like you’re just paying for extra metal walls. But the real reasons go much deeper.
Space Is Money—And Containers Take a Lot of It
Think of a container as renting a private room on the ship. RORO, by comparison, is like buying a seat in the economy section of a plane. The difference in price often comes down to how much space your car occupies relative to what could be used for other cargo.
Shipping lines calculate costs based on the volume and weight of cargo, but containers occupy fixed space whether they’re full or half-empty. A 20-foot container eats up the same amount of deck and stacking capacity even if you only have a compact car inside. That wasted space is priced in.
RORO ships don’t have this problem. They operate like floating parking garages, and vehicles can be squeezed in according to size and shape. They’re purpose-built for cars and trucks, so space utilization is far more efficient. That efficiency translates to lower prices for customers.
Handling and Equipment Drive Up Costs
Loading a car onto a RORO ship is as simple as rolling it on and strapping it down. The labor is relatively low, and the turnaround time is quick. With container shipping, though, things get a little more complicated—and expensive.
First, you need a loading facility. Your car has to be carefully driven into the container, often with wooden braces or metal frames to prevent movement during transit. In some cases, especially for high-end vehicles, additional padding or racking systems are used. All that takes time, materials, and skilled labor.
Then, there’s the heavy lifting. Cranes and specialized equipment are needed to move the container onto the ship. At the destination port, the process repeats—unloading the container from the ship, transporting it to a container yard, and finally unpacking your vehicle. Each of these steps adds cost compared to RORO, where the car simply drives off the vessel.
Security and Protection—You’re Paying for Peace of Mind
One of the biggest selling points of container shipping is security. When your car is inside a sealed steel box, it’s shielded from saltwater spray, harsh weather, and prying eyes. For someone shipping a brand-new Lexus or a luxury SUV, that peace of mind feels worth the premium.
RORO, while safe in its own right, does expose vehicles to more risk—scratches, minor dents, or theft of small items left inside the car. Shipping lines often advise removing personal belongings from vehicles for this reason. Container shipping allows you to pack extra items along with the car, something RORO typically forbids. That flexibility is another reason for the higher cost.
Still, it’s fair to question whether the added security justifies doubling your shipping bill. For most everyday cars, the answer may lean toward no. But for classic cars, collectible models, or equipment that can’t risk exposure, container shipping starts to make sense.
Port Charges and Customs Fees Add Another Layer
Here’s something most first-time shippers don’t realize: the extra cost isn’t just about the ocean freight. Ports treat containers differently from RORO cargo, and the difference shows up in your bill.
When your container arrives in Ghana, it goes to a container yard where it waits to be cleared. Storage fees (called demurrage) kick in if you don’t clear the container quickly. Unpacking the container, known as stripping, also adds labor charges. And since the container itself belongs to the shipping line, there’s usually a return deadline for the empty box, which means trucking it back to the terminal on time.
RORO avoids most of this. Your car rolls off the ship and heads straight to customs inspection, often speeding up the clearance process. That simplicity keeps costs lower.
The Global Container Economy Affects Prices Too
Another overlooked factor is the global container market. Containers aren’t just used for cars—they’re the backbone of international trade. When demand for container space spikes (think holiday season or a global supply chain crunch), prices rise across the board, even for auto shipping. RORO prices tend to stay more stable because those vessels specialize in vehicles, not general cargo.
In fact, during the height of the pandemic, container rates shot through the roof while RORO remained relatively steady. Importers who usually preferred containers had no choice but to rethink their strategy.
Insurance—Higher Value Means Higher Premiums
Because container shipping often involves high-value cargo and extra handling, insurers factor in more risk—and more coverage. That bumps up the insurance cost compared to RORO. Even though containers reduce exposure, the complexity of loading, storage, and handling still introduces opportunities for damage.
So, When Does Paying More Make Sense?
If you’re sending an old Toyota Corolla to Accra, spending thousands extra for a container may feel unnecessary. But if your shipment includes multiple cars, expensive machinery, or luxury vehicles, container shipping can be worth every cedi. It also makes sense if you’re sending personal items with the car, since RORO usually prohibits that.
On the flip side, for everyday vehicles, RORO is almost always the practical choice. It’s faster, cheaper, and widely available. Yes, you’ll have to accept minor cosmetic risks and stricter rules about what goes inside the car, but the cost savings are hard to ignore.
Could Container Shipping Get Cheaper in the Future?
That’s a question worth asking. Some shipping experts believe container rates could stabilize as global trade patterns shift, but it’s unlikely they’ll ever match RORO for single-car shipments. The fundamental cost structure—equipment, space, and labor—just doesn’t allow it.
Unless there’s a major breakthrough in how cars are secured inside containers (or an increase in shared container services where multiple shippers split costs), container shipping will remain the pricier option. It’s not a rip-off; it’s simply a different product designed for a different type of customer.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the cost difference between container shipping and RORO isn’t about one being “better” than the other—it’s about what you need. RORO wins for affordability and simplicity. Container shipping wins for security, flexibility, and protection.
So, before you book, ask yourself: Is my car rare, expensive, or loaded with personal items? Do I care about it arriving spotless? If the answer is yes, the extra cost might feel justified. If not, RORO is likely your best friend on the high seas.