Roro News

American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC Group) has added ARC Freedom to its U.S.-flagged fleet.ARC Freedom (IMO 9505041) is a Large Car and Truck Carrier (LCTC) designed to transport automobiles, trucks, heavy equipment and other rolling and project cargo. The vessel will operate as part of the Maritime Security Program (MSP), providing commercially active U.S.-flag capacity that can be made available to support Department of War requirements.“Freedom has always been inseparable from America’s identity,” said Eric Ebeling, President and CEO of ARC.

NEOLINE and CMA CGM announced that Neoliner Origin completed her first call at PSA Zeebrugge on Monday, September 21, 2026. The call marked both the vessel’s first visit to Belgium and the addition of Zeebrugge to NEOLINE’s regular transatlantic service.Neoliner Origin is a 136-metrerroll-on/roll-off cargo vessel designed to use wind as its main source of propulsion, complemented by an auxiliary diesel-electric system. Its two foldable SolidSail masts carry 3,000 square meters of sail and enable access to most ports.

The International Propeller Club of Norway announced a new partnership with Höegh Autoliners, strengthening the Club’s growing engagement with leading companies across the Norwegian and international maritime community.The partnership was marked during the opening reception of New York High-Level Week and New York Climate Week, held at the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York. The signing brought together Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, and Danielle Centeno, President of the International Propeller Club…

KNUD E. HANSEN is continuing its involvement in the development of Compagnie Maritime Nantaise’s new RoRo vessel that is dedicated to space logistics, following Compagnie Maritime Nantaise and Sogestran's of the signing of the shipbuilding contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International.The vessel has been designed to support the transportation of launch vehicles, satellites, and other sensitive cargoes for the European space industry. Developed in close cooperation with Compagnie Maritime Nantaise…

MacGregor has signed contracts with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard to supply a scope of RoRo equipment for TT-Line’s two new Green Ship 2.0 battery-hybrid LNG ferries. The contract includes several RoRo equipment items per vessel. The order was booked into MacGregor’s Q2 2026 orders received.Designed to set new standards in sustainable maritime transport, the 240-meter vessels will feature 5,400 lane meters of cargo capacity and accommodation for 1,000 persons each. They will operate on key Baltic Sea routes connecting Sweden…

The Global Ro-Ro Community (GRC)*1, whose participants include Ro-Ro carriers and other stakeholders, and which covers approximately 80% of the transport capacity of the global car carrier fleet*2, has established the GRC Council (GRCC), a body responsible for the operation of the GRC. Since the establishment of the GRC, ClassNK has participated as an independent verifier. In connection with the establishment of the GRCC, ClassNK has also contributed to the development of its…

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) shipping and vehicle logistics group Wallenius Wilhelmsen has taken delivery of Arctic Tern, the first dual-fuel methanol-ready vessel in its new Shaper Class series.Arctic Tern vessel offers greater cargo capacity and improved operational efficiency and will be deployed through EUKOR Car Carriers, the shipping line jointly owned by Hyundai Motor Group and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.Following delivery, the vessel will enter service between Asia and Europe almost…

The Australian Border Force has seized 34kg cocaine concealed within a luxury bus in Fremantle, Western Australia.ABF officers examined a roll-on/roll-off vessel on May 6, using a combination of targeted intelligence, physical search, detector dogs and advanced technology.During the inspection, officers located approximately 30 packages concealed in the roof cavity of a bus.Presumptive testing returned a positive result for cocaine, with an estimated weight of 34kg.This amount of cocaine…

Cavotec has launched PowerMove RoRo NxG, a mobile cable management system designed to simplify shore power connections for RoRo and RoPax vessels and support ports in their transition to cleaner operations.Cavotec’s PowerMove shore power technology is already helping some of the world’s busiest ports reduce emissions and connect vessels to clean onshore electricity. The solution is currently in operation in more than 30 ports globally.PowerMove RoRo NxG is a redesigned platform combining increased flexibility…

Maritime safety regulations are often shaped by hard lessons. Few accidents demonstrate this more clearly than the loss of the ferry MV Estonia in September 1994.Maritime safety regulations are often shaped by hard lessons. Few accidents demonstrate this more clearly than the loss of the ferry MV Estonia in September 1994.More than 30 years later, the incident is still a touchstone for passenger vessel safety. Many of the stability and survivability questions it raised are influencing…

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report into the death of a crew member on board the roro Laureline at Purfleet, England, on July 13, 2024.A crew member on board the Malta-flagged Laureline was fatally injured when he was crushed between the rear of a moving trailer and the vessel’s structure. The accident happened while Laureline was alongside, loading and discharging trailers using tugs driven by shore workers under the direction of the ship’s…

On March 9, the IMO sub-committee on Ship Systems and Equipment convened for its 12th session (SSE12), and DNV reports that the action plan to evaluate the adequacy of fire protection, detection and extinction arrangements in vehicle, special category and ro-ro spaces was revised in order to reduce the fire risk of ships carrying new-energy vehicles.The group agreed to give priority to the development of the following guidelines before developing any draft amendments to SOLAS…

Global operator of roll-on/roll-off carriers Sallaum Lines has taken delivery of the MV Ocean Legacy, a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) that has joined its Ocean Class fleet.The delivery follows the recent entry into service of the MV Ocean Explorer and forms part of Sallaum Lines’ Ocean Class program, which focuses on fleet renewal, operational efficiency and lower-emission maritime operations.The vessel was built at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) and measures about 199.9 meters in length and 37.7 meters in breadth.

Japan is emerging as an early adopter of advanced fire detection systems on RoRo vessels, according to inspection data from Idwal, a global vessel condition specialist.While fire safety on RoRo vessels has come under increasing scrutiny, particularly as electric vehicles enter the cargo mix in greater numbers, Idwal’s inspections show that adoption of advanced fire detection technology across the global fleet remains uneven. Japanese owned and operated tonnage is increasingly standing out as an early mover…

Stena RoRo has ordered a new generation of Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) vessels, placing firm orders for two C-Flexer RoRo ships with options for an additional four, as the company moves to expand its offering of flexible and future-proofed tonnage for the global market.The vessels have been developed by Stena RoRo in cooperation with Italian design firm NAOS Ship and Boat Design and form part of the company’s long-term strategy to provide adaptable RoRo vessels capable of meeting evolving operational and regulatory requirements.“With Stena RoRo’s extensive experience and market knowledge…

Sallaum Lines announced the relocation of its headquarters from Switzerland to Limassol, Cyprus. This move reflects the company’s long-term growth vision and its commitment to strengthening its presence within the European maritime world. Known as one of the world’s top global shipping centers and the largest shipping management hub in Europe, Cyprus is an ideal environment for maritime businesses.

Interferry is calling for an immediate halt on the further implementation of the EU ETS for the ferry sector, maintaining the surrendering obligation for maritime emissions frozen at the 70% level scheduled for 2025, and halting the planned increase to 100% in 2026. The demand follows the recent decision to continue exempting road transport from a parallel ETS mechanism and the lack of clear regulations on the distribution of the funds collected.“This action must remain in place until road transport is also in an ETS and funds collected are actually ringfenced for maritime decarbonization.

The EU-based TwinShip consortium has unveiled the fourth pilot demonstration of the TwinShip Project: an unmanned Ro-Ro vessel powered by green fuels and renewable energy, targeting Net Zero Emissions by 2045.This simulated demonstration leverages digital twin and decision support system capabilities for advanced voyage optimization—specifically, active weather routing to maximize energy harvesting from wind and wave conditions.By integrating these insights into life cycle cost analysis and environmental impact assessments…

Stena RoRo has chartered out the ship A Nepita, ex Superfast X, to Canadian Crown Cooperation Marine Atlantic Inc for a five year period.The ship will enter into service during the fall of 2026 following a period of customization to the intended trade such as ship to shore ramp arrangements, ships livery, and a five-year preventive maintenance program.The A Nepita is currently chartered to the French operator Corsica Linea and trading in the Mediterranean Sea. She is ice-class rated…

The world’s largest wind-powered, industrial-scale, roll on/roll off vessel Neoliner Origin has returned for its second visit to the only U.S. port it is calling, the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.The ship, which uses sails as main propulsion, is operating a monthly service between Saint Nazaire (France) and Baltimore, with stops along the way to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon and Halifax.“It’s a great honor to be the first and only U.S. port for Neoliner Origin,” said Maryland Port Administration Executive Director Jonathan Daniels.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen has extended two key strategic contracts for shipping services with an estimated additional value of close to $500 million.The first contract is with a premium European auto manufacturer and is extended by three additional years, with the new contract now ending in 2030.The contract is estimated to have a total value of $580 million, with the extension value being $384 million based on expected volumes. The contract extension includes additional volumes and trade lanes. Rates are in line with current market levels and the renewed agreement started in October, 2025.

Stena Line, and the UK’s largest port operator, Associated British Ports (ABP), are to commence work on a new freight ferry terminal at the Port of Immingham. The new terminal represents a joint investment of more than £200 million ($265 million) in the port and a boost to the Humber region of England where the unaccompanied freight market has been steadily growing.Located in Lincolnshire, Immingham is becoming a strategic hub for Stena Line, which currently runs two daily services from the Humber region to The Netherlands.

China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) has officially taken delivery of the world's first 9,300-car capacity methanol dual-fuel powered pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), CM Hong Kong.The 220-meter vessel was built by China Merchants Industry and will sail under the flag of Hong Kong. It has 13 cargo decks and is capable of transporting a wide range of cargo, including cars, trucks, buses, heavy machinery, and new energy vehicles fueled by hydrogen and natural gas.CM Hong Kong features a dual-fuel methanol main engine…