--- title: 3 Issues When Transporting Cars Via Cheap Shipping Methods description: In this article, we look at the most common issues that can be avoided by transporting cars via cheap shipping methods. image: https://blog.trans-rak.com/hubfs/Common%20Issues%20When%20Transporting%20Cars%20Via%20Cheap%20Shipping%20Methods.png --- [![Cars-in-Containers](https://blog.trans-rak.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Trans_Rak_Oct_2016/Image/277bf4_bed8cb531c49438d8ae6b305dac2a92f-mv1.png?width=700&name=277bf4_bed8cb531c49438d8ae6b305dac2a92f-mv1.png "Cars-in-Containers")](https://www.trans-rak.com/) ## [+44 1926 40 82 82](tel:441926408282)CARS IN CONTAINERS - [HOME](https://www.trans-rak.com/) - [ABOUT](https://www.trans-rak.com/about/) - [TESTING](https://www.trans-rak.com/testing/) - [PRODUCTS](https://www.trans-rak.com/product/) - [EXTERIOR LOADING (EL-RAK)](https://www.trans-rak.com/products/el-rak/) - [REMOVABLE IN-CONTAINER LOADING (R-RAK)](https://www.trans-rak.com/products/r-rak/) - [WIDE VEHICLE RACKING (DL-RAK)](https://www.trans-rak.com/products/dl-rak/) - [VEHICLE BODY RACKING (SKD-RAK)](https://www.trans-rak.com/products/skd-rak/) - RESOURCES - [FAQ'S](https://www.trans-rak.com/frequently-asked-questions/) - [BLOG](https://blog.trans-rak.com/) - [PRODUCT QUOTE REQUEST](https://www.trans-rak.com/contact) - [CARS IN CONTAINERS GUIDE](https://www.trans-rak.com/contact) - [BROCHURE REQUEST](https://www.trans-rak.com/contact) - [CLIENTS](https://www.trans-rak.com/clients/) - [GALLERY](https://www.trans-rak.com/gallery/) - [CONTACT](https://www.trans-rak.com/contact/) ## NEWS BLOG POST [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.trans-rak.com%2Fissues-with-cheap-car-shipping-methods%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.trans-rak.com%2Fissues-with-cheap-car-shipping-methods%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.trans-rak.com%2Fissues-with-cheap-car-shipping-methods%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.trans-rak.com%2Fissues-with-cheap-car-shipping-methods%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=3%20Issues%20When%20Transporting%20Cars%20Via%20Cheap%20Shipping%20Methods) # 3 Common Issues When Transporting Cars Via Cheap Shipping Methods (6 June, 2022) ![Common Issues When Transporting Cars Via Cheap Shipping Methods](https://blog.trans-rak.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Common%20Issues%20When%20Transporting%20Cars%20Via%20Cheap%20Shipping%20Methods.png?width=800&name=Common%20Issues%20When%20Transporting%20Cars%20Via%20Cheap%20Shipping%20Methods.png) When it comes to [shipping luxury goods](https://blog.trans-rak.com/shipping-luxury-cars-efficiently) such as cars, it pays to get it right. Gone are the days when the only options were antiquated RoRo ferries. Today, suppliers can make use of streamlined and [efficient containerised methods.](https://blog.trans-rak.com/containerised-car-transport-guide) Here, we take a look at the various options, and how they can be optimised. ## [![Download The Containerised Car Transport Guide' now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2529920/ba285730-afed-46de-bd70-4ba6bc7c5c62.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2529920/ba285730-afed-46de-bd70-4ba6bc7c5c62) ## What Is A ‘Cheap’ Shipping Method? This question is not as straightforward to answer as it once was. Traditionally, [roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) ferries](https://blog.trans-rak.com/comparing-roro-with-container-transportation) were the go-to option for cost-effective vehicle transportation. However, metal racking systems such as the [R-RAK](https://blog.trans-rak.com/r-raks-take-care-of-special-deliveries) have revolutionised the way that cars can be shipped. With their 7 to 10-year lifespan, racks represent a long-term investment that opens up the full array of global shipping lanes and all of the financial incentives that they boast. As such, ‘cheap’ shipping usually refers to old RoRo routes and containers that use flimsy wooden racks. ## 1. The Risk Of Theft Theft has always been a major problem in [RoRo](https://blog.trans-rak.com/comparing-roro-with-container-transportation) shipping. Vehicles are stored in vast carparks, often for weeks at a time. Thefts also occur on the ships themselves. The complete anonymity and tight security of a container eliminates this risk: once the vehicle is safely locked inside, it remains protected for the duration of the journey. ## 2. The Risk Of Damage If a vehicle breaks free of its restraints on a RoRo ferry, it turns into a 1.5 tonne pinball. The damage can be catastrophic, and in the worst cases, entire consignments of cars have been lost. However, the problems caused by cheap wooden racking systems can be even worse. [Metal racking systems are stronger,](https://blog.trans-rak.com/reduce-damage-with-our-range-of-vehicle-storage-solutions-systems) more secure, and are geometrically advanced so that adverse forces are either absorbed or deflected. This results in a safe, secure voyage. ## 3. Delays It depends upon the route that you are using, but [RoRo ferry journeys](https://blog.trans-rak.com/why-roro-shipping-is-not-always-the-best-method-of-car-transportation) can be defined by the word ‘interminable’. With only a handful of exceptions, modern shipping lanes and ports are designed for container transport. Container ships have a shallow hull, which means that they can make the journey from Asia to Europe in a single push. The RoRo equivalent may require up to six changes. As ships do not set sail until they have a full cargo roster, this tends to result in multiple cumulative delays, leading to unpredictability for supplier and client. This problem is becoming more pronounced as [RoRo](https://blog.trans-rak.com/roro-vs-containerised-shipping-what-are-the-pros-cons-of-each-method) shipping is left behind in the great global shift towards the new containerised Silk Road. All of the new ports currently being built in Africa, India, and Russia have only one type of vessel in mind, and it is not a ferry! ## Find Out More To learn more about the most [cost-effective way to transport vehicles](https://blog.trans-rak.com/how-to-reduce-car-container-shipping-costs) overseas, please When it comes to [shipping luxury goods](https://blog.trans-rak.com/shipping-luxury-cars-efficiently) such as cars, it pays to get it right. Gone are the days when the only options were antiquated RoRo ferries. Today, suppliers can make use of streamlined and [efficient containerised methods.](https://blog.trans-rak.com/containerised-car-transport-guide) Here, we take a look at the various options, and how they can be optimised. ## What Is A ‘Cheap’ Shipping Method? This question is not as straightforward to answer as it once was. Traditionally, [roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) ferries](https://blog.trans-rak.com/comparing-roro-with-container-transportation) were the go-to option for cost-effective vehicle transportation. However, metal racking systems such as the [R-RAK](https://blog.trans-rak.com/which-steel-racking-system-do-i-need) have revolutionised the way that cars can be shipped. With their 7 to 10-year lifespan, racks represent a long-term investment that opens up the full array of global shipping lanes and all of the financial incentives that they boast. As such, ‘cheap’ shipping usually refers to old RoRo routes and containers that use flimsy wooden racks. ## [![The Containerised Car Transport Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2529920/34f2bd0c-3b82-4796-a05c-1ce1968c05d2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2529920/34f2bd0c-3b82-4796-a05c-1ce1968c05d2) 1. The Risk Of Theft Theft has always been a major problem in RoRo shipping. Vehicles are stored in vast carparks, often for weeks at a time. Thefts also occur on the ships themselves. The complete anonymity and tight security of a container eliminates this risk: once the vehicle is safely locked inside, it remains protected for the duration of the journey. ## 2. The Risk Of Damage If a vehicle breaks free of its restraints on a RoRo ferry, it turns into a 1.5 tonne pinball. The damage can be catastrophic, and in the worst cases, entire consignments of cars have been lost. However, the problems caused by cheap wooden racking systems can be even worse. [Metal racking systems are stronger,](https://blog.trans-rak.com/reduce-damage-with-our-range-of-vehicle-storage-solutions-systems) more secure, and are geometrically advanced so that adverse forces are either absorbed or deflected. This results in a safe, secure voyage. ## 3. Delays It depends upon the route that you are using, but [RoRo ferry journeys](https://blog.trans-rak.com/why-roro-shipping-is-not-always-the-best-method-of-car-transportation) can be defined by the word ‘interminable’. With only a handful of exceptions, modern shipping lanes and ports are designed for container transport. Container ships have a shallow hull, which means that they can make the journey from Asia to Europe in a single push. The RoRo equivalent may require up to six changes. As ships do not set sail until they have a full cargo roster, this tends to result in multiple cumulative delays, leading to unpredictability for supplier and client. This problem is becoming more pronounced as RoRo shipping is left behind in the great global shift towards the new containerised Silk Road. All of the new ports currently being built in Africa, India, and Russia have only one type of vessel in mind, and it is not a ferry! ## Find Out More To learn more about the most [cost-effective way to transport vehicles](https://blog.trans-rak.com/how-to-reduce-car-container-shipping-costs) overseas, please [click here](https://blog.trans-rak.com/download-our-new-free-guide-to-containerised-car-transport) to claim a free copy of our *Containerised Car Transport Guide.* *[![The Containerised Car Transport Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2529920/556e511a-a8a6-4b27-9835-9a0057717cac.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2529920/556e511a-a8a6-4b27-9835-9a0057717cac)* - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![The Containerised Car Transport Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2529920/556e511a-a8a6-4b27-9835-9a0057717cac.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2529920/556e511a-a8a6-4b27-9835-9a0057717cac) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ![](https://blog.trans-rak.com/hubfs/ChatGPT%20Image%20Jun%2024%2c%202026%2c%2012_19_47%20PM.png) [Trans-Rak Proud to Support Successful Parkinson's UK Charity Golf Day](https://blog.trans-rak.com/trans-rak-proud-to-support-successful-parkinsons-uk-charity-golf-day) (2 July, 2026) ![](https://blog.trans-rak.com/hubfs/IMG_6814.jpeg) [Welcome Lance Hunt to the Trans-Rak Team](https://blog.trans-rak.com/welcome-lance-hunt-to-the-trans-rak-team) (24 June, 2026) ![](https://blog.trans-rak.com/hubfs/IMG_7090.jpg) [How to Calculate the Carbon Footprint of Car Transport: Models, Methods, and Data Inputs?](https://blog.trans-rak.com/calculating-carbon-footprint-multi-vehicle-transport) (11 June, 2026) ![](https://blog.trans-rak.com/hubfs/GEFCO%20Polestar%20EL-RAK%20Loading%20no%20people%20or%20branding.png) [EV Exports Are Reshaping How Cars Move Across the Ocean](https://blog.trans-rak.com/ev-exports-reshape-car-containerisation) (4 June, 2026) ![](https://blog.trans-rak.com/hubfs/IMG_1794.jpg) [Digital Twins in Container Planning: How Simulation Is Optimising Vehicle Logistics](https://blog.trans-rak.com/digital-twins-optimising-finished-vehicle-racking) (28 May, 2026) ### Follow Us - 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