NEWS BLOG

We’re told that they’re driving us towards a greener future, but if, as a vehicle transportation specialist, you’re currently finding the hybrid vehicle journey a bumpy one, you’re not alone. Read on for our take on the current electric vehicle (EV) supply chain issue.  

Businesses have attempted to transport cars by shipping container ever since the shipping container was invented in 1956. Before then, and since, the dominant means of car transportation was the roll on, roll off (Ro-Ro) ferry, in which cars are driven onto the ferry, parked in place, and driven off again at each port of call.

When it comes to strategic planning, it helps to know what’s around the corner. Even during the pre-Covid days, the forecasts for the consumer vehicle market were complex and unpredictable. Back in 2019, Brexit and environmental concerns dominated the agenda of a future in which business would continue – it was assumed – more or less as usual, with a growing global market for new, eco-friendly cars. 

Recent news events have not painted a positive picture of container shipping, with prices soaring because of an unusual combination of circumstances.

There are two transportation methods to choose from when shipping vehicles around the globe using maritime freight: RORO (Roll On – Roll Off) and containerised shipping. Both methods have been in place for decades, which suggests that they work well to suit a variety of needs and situations. However, there are important differences between RORO and containerised shipping, as well as pros and cons associated with each method. Let’s take a brief look.

When businesses ship cars overseas using container shipping, a common question is: how many vehicles can be fitted into a single container? With container prices rising, it is clearly advantageous to use as much space as possible in each container to avoid unnecessarily high fees.

Shipping a valuable, precision-designed F1 race car across the world over the course of a Formula One season is no mean feat. Every risk must be identified and eliminated so the model arrives at its destination on-time and in pristine condition, so it’s an honour that Trans-Rak has been entrusted to design a specially modified R-RAK car racking system to transport these priceless vehicles for a leading F1 competitor.

Cutting overseas vehicle shipping costs can unlock new opportunities and ensure that companies thrive in even the harshest economic climates.

The engineered car storage rack systems pioneered by Trans-Rak offer an effective and sustainable alternative to temporary timber racking. Two of our most popular solutions are the R-RAK and the DL-RAK.

2020 has seen Chinese car manufacturers XPeng (Xiaopeng Motors) starting to export their G3i electric SUV to Norway, with the first vehicles on the road in November.