Vehicle Containerisation Gains Momentum Among Global Automakers

Amid a volatile and uncertain automotive logistics landscape, manufacturers face a growing need for efficient, safe, and scalable transport solutions to meet their global shipping demands.

With major international automakers like Volkswagen Group now ramping up exports via containerised shipping, the trend towards this innovative method is reshaping how vehicles reach international markets. Supporting this process are reusable racking systems such as those produced here at Trans-Rak. These racks make it easier, smarter, safer, more cost effective and greener to move finished vehicles from manufacturing centres to final destinations around the world creating a door to door solution.

Why Is Containerised Shipping Gaining Momentum?

Here at Trans-Rak, we have been beating the drum for containerised shipping for many years, and we have noticed steady adoption by major shipping lines and automotive transport businesses, often alongside roll on/roll off (Ro-Ro) vessels. Despite growing acceptance as a viable and cost-effective transport medium, however, it’s fair to say that most international vehicle transport takes still take place via Ro-Ro, at least on short haul routes.

However, while effective for mass vehicle movements, Ro-Ro shipping has several inherent challenges. These include limited flexibility, restricted choice of shipping lanes, a higher risk of damage during transit, and the  carbon emissions produced by the vessels themselves.

Containerised shipping, on the other hand, addresses many of these shortfalls, giving manufacturers and transport businesses greater control, better vehicle handling, and access to shipping routes that are impractical or inaccessible for Ro-Ro vessels. Containerised transport also aligns better with hazardous goods regulations pertaining to electric vehicles, especially the way that lithium-ion batteries are transported.

Volkswagen Group’s large-scale adoption of containerised shipping in Mexico, Europe and China demonstrates its effectiveness for exporting high volumes of finished vehicles efficiently and sustainably. This is a significant shift from previous containerised shipping patterns, where the method might be used for small to mid-sized batches of vehicles, while Ro-Ro was reserved for larger volumes. However, for containerised shipping to truly excel at scale, optimising your container space is essential, which is where our racking products come into their own.

The Benefits Of Reusable Racking For Containerised Vehicle Exports:

1. Higher container efficiency: our adjustable racking systems allow vehicles of varying dimensions – from compact electric vehicles to bulky SUVs – to fit snugly within standard ISO shipping containers. By maximising the vertical space in each container and enabling multitier loading, our racking systems help to double or even triple the number of vehicles you can realistically ship in a single container compared to conventional methods. For all manufacturers, this capability has enabled larger export volumes per shipment, reducing the logistical and environmental expense of vehicle transport by container ship.
   
   
2. Improved safety for finished vehicles: vehicle damage in transit is a significant concern for manufacturers and dealers alike, affecting brand value and profitability. Our precision-engineered racking systems keep vehicles immobilised throughout their shipment. By securely anchoring the cars and minimising movement within the container, the risk of scratches, dents, and other transit damage is virtually eliminated. This approach safeguards vehicles during long haul journeys and also supports newer trends such as direct-to-consumer shipping, in which pristine vehicle deliveries play a critical role in customer satisfaction.
   
   
3. Alignment with major shipping lines: A crucial advantage of our racking solutions is the way that they integrate seamlessly with the world’s leading shipping lines. This particularly benefits markets that use unconventional trade corridors. For example, manufacturers shipping from regions with less developed port infrastructure, such as certain parts of South America and Africa, can use containerised shipping to access markets in Europe or Asia that traditional Ro-Ro transportation may struggle to reach.

Next Steps – Explore Trans-Rak’s Racking Solutions Today

International automotive manufacturers like Volkswagen Group are setting an example in scalable and flexible logistics by adopting new approaches to vehicle exports. If you’re looking for new ways to safeguard your shipments, reduce costs, minimise risk, or achieve greater sustainability, our racking systems can help make it happen. Contact us today to discover how our racking systems can transform your global finished vehicle exports.

​Image source: Canva