Ro-Ro shipping of machinery
special machinery rolled on or on MAFI trailers
Ro-Ro shipping is the simplest way to bring special machinery from China by sea: the unit drives aboard under its own power, with no crane lift. We find the sailing, check dimensions against the ramp, arrange port delivery and lashing on deck, and after discharge handle customs and on-carriage.
Ro-Ro rates are usually charged per cubic metre of the unit's L×W×H or per unit, with a surcharge for heavy and high machinery. A static unit on a MAFI costs more — so the machine should arrive at the port in running order.
Specification
Specification · Ro-Ro. Standard terms · sailing and rate are confirmed per unit
Service
- Machinery
- construction, mining, agricultural, trucks
- Method
- self-driven or on MAFI
- Options
- customs, EPSM/EPTS, low-bed delivery
Terms
- Timing
- depend on sailing frequency; confirmed at booking
- Documents
- identifier and document-set check included
- Currency
- USD / RUB
Logistics
- Before loading
- dimensions, booking, port delivery
- At port
- roll-on or MAFI, lashing, report
- After
- discharge, customs, delivery
Price
- Base
- freight per m³ or per unit
- Extras
- MAFI, H&H surcharge, storage — on request
Service flow
- 01
Unit data
For each unit we get dimensions, weight, ground clearance, photos and whether it is running. This decides whether it drives aboard or goes on a MAFI.
1–2 days - 02
Sailing and booking
We find a Ro-Ro sailing, check height and weight against the vessel's ramp and decks and book the space as a running unit or as cargo on a MAFI.
3–10 days - 03
Port delivery
The unit arrives at the port in working order with minimum fuel and keys; attachments are secured and the cab is free of loose items. A condition report with photos is made at delivery.
per vessel schedule - 04
Loading and lashing
Running units drive up the ramp; static cargo is towed aboard on a MAFI by a terminal tractor. On deck the units are lashed to the deck points with chains and turnbuckles per plan.
1 day - 05
Discharge and release
After discharge the units are inspected against the condition report. Then come customs clearance, the electronic vehicle or machine passport (EPTS/EPSM), the recycling fee and delivery by low-bed to the consignee.
3–10 days
Problems
The unit is too high for the deck or too heavy for the ramp — and this is discovered only at the port.
We check dimensions against the vessel data before booking; if needed, attachments are removed or the unit is switched to breakbulk.
The unit was booked as running but does not start at the port — leading to MAFI and tractor surcharges or a refusal to load.
We ask the shipper to check the machine before delivery and book doubtful units as static from the start.
After discharge dents are found or loose parts are missing, with no proof of where it happened.
We make a condition report with photos at port delivery and at discharge; loose parts are packed and listed separately in the documents.
Documents
Documents for Ro-Ro shipping and importing machinery. Identifiers (VIN, serial and engine numbers) must match exactly across the invoice, B/L and conformity documents — otherwise customs will raise questions.
Incoterms
- FOB
- seller delivers the unit on board at the port of shipment
- CFR / CIF
- seller pays freight (and insurance for CIF) to the destination port
- DAP
- delivery to the agreed place; import clearance and recycling fee are on the buyer
Documents
- Invoice
- with model, year of manufacture, VIN or serial number
- Specification
- L×W×H, weight, running or static
- Bill of lading
- Ro-Ro B/L listing identifiers of each unit
- Conformity documents
- under TR CU 010/2011, 018/2011 or 031/2012 depending on the machine type
- Condition report
- with photos at port delivery and discharge
FAQ
Units drive aboard under their own power or on a roll-trailer, with no crane lift. It is faster, safer for self-propelled machines and removes the crane-capacity limit. There is also no need for spreaders, slings and a rigging scheme for every unit.
The cargo is placed on a MAFI roll-trailer at the port and a terminal tractor tows it up the ramp onto the cargo deck, where it is lashed per plan. No crane lift is needed. The MAFI and tractor work are charged separately.
Yes. Before booking we check height, width, weight, ground clearance and approach angle against the ramp and deck data of the chosen vessel. Decks differ in clearance, so high machinery is planned onto a specific deck in advance.
Usually per cubic metre of L×W×H or per unit, with a surcharge for high and heavy machinery. Static units on MAFI cost more. Port charges and lashing at origin and destination are specified separately in the quote.
The sea passage from Chinese ports usually takes about one to two weeks. The overall lead time depends more on how often Ro-Ro vessels sail on the lane and when the machine is ready for port delivery. Exact dates are confirmed at booking.
Besides the invoice, contract and B/L, you need EAEU technical-regulation conformity documents — TR CU 010/2011 for machinery, TR CU 031/2012 for tractors, TR CU 018/2011 for trucks. After release an electronic passport (EPSM or EPTS) is issued and the recycling fee is paid. Requirements vary by machine type, so we check the set before shipment.