How to Ship a Car to South America
The Differences Between a Container Shipment and RoRo Shipping
May 4, 2009
To travel overland in South America by private vehicle, one may have to ship a car to a South American port. Even between Central and South America it is necessary to ship a car – to cross the Panama Canal, or the Darien Gap. Below follows an overview of common forms of overseas shipment to South America.
Container Shipment Versus RoRo Shipping
Overseas shipment can be divided into two main categories: container shipment or RoRo shipping. With a container shipment the car is transported in a locked and sealed, metal container – minimising the chances of the car being damaged or broken into. RoRo shipping – Roll on Roll off – means the car is driven onto a cargo boat.
Container Shipment – Sizes and Types of Containers
The most common containers measure 20ft or 40ft; both are suited to ship regular cars. The height and width of a 20ft and 40ft container are the same. A regular car fits into a 20ft container. Money may be saved by sharing a 40ft container.
If the vehicle is too big for either a 20ft or 40ft container, there are several alternatives to ship a car:
- A hi-cube container has the size of a 40ft container but a higher roof. The advantage is that the container is sealed and thus secure, the disadvantage is the high costs.
- An open-top container has the same measurements as a 20ft container but has no roof. There is reasonable protection against damage, but the top is open and the car is vulnerable to burglary.
- A flat track is suited for a vehicle that is wider than a 20ft container; it is open on all sides. Disadvantages are the high price, vulnerability to damage and burglary, and corrosion from salt water.
How Does RoRo Shipping Work?
The car is driven onto a ferry-styled cargo boat and secured by a number of straps and braces. Depending on the situation and the RoRo shipping company, the owner drives his own car onto the ship or hands over his keys to the RoRo shipping liner.
When both RoRo vessels and container liners ply the same route, RoRo shipping is often the cheapest way to ship a car. It has less bureaucratic hassle than a container shipment; a RoRo shipping rate includes all paperwork, whereas in the case of a container shipment the owner has to clear his vehicle at the port of destination. A simple reason not to ship a car by RoRo shipping may be that there is no RoRo shipping connection between the desired destinations.
RoRo Shipping From Europe: Grimaldi
Most Europeans with large-sized cars like motor homes use "Grimaldi" – an Italian RoRo shipping agency. Grimaldi offers two possibilities:
- The common RoRo shipping option, where the owner drives the car onto the ship and flies to his destination. The advantage is not having to sit on a ship for four weeks. The disadvantage is that Grimaldi will probably stop at several ports along the way for loading and unloading, where experience has taught overlanders to stay near their vehicle to avoid burglary and damage. Not being present leaves the car vulnerable in these ports.
- The owner drives the car onto the ship and accompanies the car during the four week shipment from Europe to South America. The traveller pays an all-inclusive price for the vehicle [depending on size] and an all-inclusive price for board and lodging.
Shipment Across the Panama Canal or Darien Gap
On the Central American side, the most common ports to ship a car from are Panama and Costa Rica. On the South American side, overlanders mostly choose between Venezuela, Colombia or Ecuador. This choice is a result of personal preference, political stability – or instability – in these countries, and the availability of shipping liners [container shipment as well as Roro shipping].
The availability of shipping liners regularly because of political / economical stability or instability in any of these countries. Best thing is to check with other overlanders to exchange the latest information.
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