Điều khoản Logistics What are the differences? Ro-Ro(Roll-On/Roll-Off) vs Lo-Lo(Lift-On/Lift-Off)

In international logistics, standardized containers contain products of different sizes to enable easy stacking and rapid and efficient transportation with diverse transportation modes of ocean, air, and land. Also, it prevents products from external damage. The container system which moves containers safely in a transportation process includes the Ro-Ro(Roll-On/Roll-Off) system that vehicles get on and off ships and the Lo-Lo(Lift-On/Lift-Off) system which uses cranes for loading.
As the two systems have different characteristics, users can choose a system considering efficiency.
Understanding the differences between the two could help users optimize the logistics process. This blog post will cover the commonalities and differences between the Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo.

Ro-Ro(Roll-On/Roll-Off) is one of the ways of ocean transport that allows cars and trailers to be embarked and disembarked on the platform with their own wheels. Most Ro-Ro vessels have a built-in ramp toward the stern but some have a ramp on the side or at the bow. Generally, cargo is normally measured with meter ton in other maritime industries but cargo for Ro-Ro is measured with Lanes in Metres (LIM).

This method is utilized in transporting wheeled freight, such as cars, heavy equipment, trucks, railroad cars, etc. In addition, it is designed to load and unload freight with ease, reducing loading time and costs while transporting a massive amount of cargo at the same time.

As such, Ro-Ro is actively used not only for civil cargo but also cargo for the navy.

Shorter Loading Time: Cars and trailers can be loaded and unloaded by themselves, making the loading quicker and more efficient.

Cost-effectiveness: It cuts down on loading expenses as it doesn’t use cranes. Particularly, it is cost-effective since it can move a large number of cars and cargo at once.

Safety of Cargo: Each cargo is fixed, reducing risks of damage.

Possibility of Automation: It can carry out loading efficiently with an automated system.

Lower Maintenance Costs: Costs for maintenance are relatively low due to lower labor costs and equipment.

Safety Issue: Cargo loaded on the Ro-Ro vessel is relatively easier to move inside the vessel. In particular, if cars are not locked or not protected, risks of theft or damage could go up.

Limitation for Cargo Type: It can’t transport cargo without wheels, posing limitations for transporting various cargo.

Limitation for Vessel Size: Additional design could be required to transport outsize or special cargo.

Weather Conditions: As it transports vehicles right after loading, it has higher risks in case of big waves or harsh weather conditions.

Dedicated Port: It can only be operated in specific ports to use its ramp. Therefore, ports that don’t support Ro-Ro transportation are not appropriate or could require additional facilities.

The Ro-Ro(Roll-On/Roll-Off) type ships have been developed thanks to technological advancement over the years. Vessels are designed based on specific types and purposes of cargo, so it is essential to select a vessel that meets your needs. When transporting high-value products, in particular, Ro-Ro ships are preferred.

Car Carriers: It is specialized in transporting cars and small vehicles. It has several levels of parking space and can transport thousands of cars at once. It transports cars, trucks, and four-wheeled vehicles and is used mostly for exporting manufactured vehicles.

Trailer Ships: It is a ship equipped with a trailer to transport large cargo and equipment. It is designed to directly load a trailer on the ship.

Heavy Lift Ro-Ro Ships: It is used to transport heavy and large equipment or structures. It is equipped with a strengthened loading structure and a ramp for more convenient loading and unloading of large cargo.

Combination Ro-Ro Ships: It is a combination of the Ro-Ro and general way of transportation. Generally, cargo for Ro-Ro is stacked on the lower deck and containers are piled on the upper deck. It gives the flexibility of transporting not only cars but also diverse cargo at the same time.

RoPax (Roll-On/Roll-Off Passenger): RoPax is a ferry that can carry not only vehicles but also passengers. It provides seats and cabins for passengers while embarking cars and trucks. It is primarily used in short sea shipping.

Lo-Lo(Lift-On/Lift-Off) is one of the ways of sea transport using cranes or lifting equipment to load and unload cargo. This system is mostly utilized to move various types of large cargo, such as containers, machinery, general cargo, etc. The Lo-Lo method enables safe stacking and unloading of cargo and provides flexibility to transport different sizes and types of cargo.

Transporting Diverse Cargo: The Lo-Lo system is flexible as it can transport diverse forms of cargo that don’t have wheels but can be lifted by cranes, which include containers, bulk cargo, machinery, heavy cargo, etc.

Accurate Lift-off: It is appropriate for high-value equipment or special cargo as it lifts and loads them safely by using cranes.

Space Utilization: It can make the most of a dedicated space as it can stack containers and heavy cargo vertically.

Transporting Special Cargo: It is suitable for the safe transport of large machinery and non-standardized cargo, such as marine structures or plant facilities.

Compatibility with Global Transportation Network: It is widely accepted in ports around the world and acknowledged as a standard transportation system that allows a smooth flow of logistics.

Long Loading Time: It could take a long time to load cargo as it lifts them one by one with a crane. Particularly, the time could be extended when dealing with large or non-standardized cargo, which could affect the entire transportation schedule.

Operation Cost: It could have high operation costs due to labor and maintenance and repair costs related to crane operations.

Limited Spatial Efficiency: Some cargo is stacked by using cranes, complicating the spatial arrangement. Also, the loading space could be limited depending on the types of cargo, making it hard to stack them horizontally.

Weather Conditions: Crane operations are highly affected by weather conditions. Harsh weather can have an impact on the schedule as it can make loading delayed or dangerous.

Need for Special Port Facility: The Lo-Lo system could only be operated in a port with special equipment like cranes.

The Lo-Lo (Lift-On/Lift-Off) method refers to loading and unloading cargo through lifting, which involves the use of onboard cranes. It is used in various types of ships. Each method is categorized based on the specific type of cargo or shipping purpose.

Container Ships: They are one of the types that use Lo-Lo method the most. They are designed to transport standardized containers and can accommodate various sizes of containers. Containers can be loaded in multiple layers and unloaded using cranes.

Bulk Carrier: It is used to transport bulk cargos such as coal, grain, minerals mainly. Cargoes are loaded using large cranes or conveyor belt systems and the carrier is designed differently based on the type of cargo.

General Cargo Ships: These ships are used to transport various types of general cargo. They can load and unload a variety of different cargoes using cranes, not only transporting general cargo but also heavy goods. Moreover, unloading can be carried out in various ports.

Heavy Lift Ships: These are ships specially designed for transporting heavy cargoes or special equipment. Because they are equipped with enhanced loading and unloading structures and cranes, they can safely carry massive machinery, marine structures, wind turbines, etc.

Ro-Lo Ships: These vessels are combined version of Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo. They can carry cars and general cargo simultaneously. Ro-Ro method is used to load and unload cars and Lo-Lo method is for general cargo.

Loading and Unloading Method

Ro-Ro: Cars are driven directly on and off the ship using ramps. The loading and unloading process is simple.

Lo-Lo: It is a method of loading and unloading cargo from a vessel using cranes or lifting equipment. The loading and unloading process relatively takes longer.

Types of Cargo

Ro-Ro: It is appropriate for carrying wheeled cargo such as cars, trucks, and heavy machinery.

Lo-Lo: Lo-Lo allows carrying various types of cargo such as containers, machinery, and general cargo.

Time Efficiency

Ro-Ro: Because it can carry large quantities of cargo rapidly, it’s highly time-efficient. It allows for quicker loading and unloading, which can reduce port waiting time.

Lo-Lo: It allows carrying various types of cargo but loading and unloading time takes longer, which can increase total transport time. Thus, it is relatively less time-efficient.

Loading Efficiency

Ro-Ro: When the loading capacity of an ultra-large vessel is converted into the number of cars that can be loaded, it is a large loading capacity, amounting to approximately 6,000 to 8,000 cars. However, as it transports non-standardized cargo, loading capacity loss occurs compared to standardized container ships. It needs three to five-fold freight space more than Lo-Lo.

Lo-Lo: In the case of ultra-large vessels, more than around 10,000 to 20,000 TEUs can be loaded and this capacity can accommodate large volumes of cargo. The largest container ship in the world can load more than 24,000 TEUs. Accordingly, the load capacity of Lo-Lo vessels is larger based on container cargo.

Fuel Cost

Ro-Ro: Cargo can take up space inefficiently so fuel cost per cargo is likely to go up slightly.

Lo-Lo: It can transport a large volume of cargo at once so fuel cost per unit cargo when shipping large cargo is relatively cheaper.

Safety

Ro-Ro: Individual cargo is fixed to the vehicle so it is very safe at sea.

Lo-Lo: When it comes to unloading using cranes, it ensures the safety of cargo but there might be a risk of accidents during unloading.

Port Facility

Ro-Ro: Specialized Ro-Ro unloading facility is required that enables cars to move themselves and Ro-Ro is operated in ports equipped with ramps.

Lo-Lo: It can be operated in ports equipped with cranes and lifting equipment.

Cargo Safety

Ro-Ro: Because cargoes are fixed to vehicles, maritime safety is ensured, and has a low risk of cargo leakage. This contributes to reducing marine pollution.

Lo-Lo: Cargo safety is ensured during the crane’s unloading process but it may involve risks of cargo leakage caused by accidents during unloading.

Port Facility

Ro-Ro: As it requires a specialized unloading facility, the construction and operation of the facility can have an impact on the environment.

Lo-Lo: Various cranes and lifting equipment are needed and production and operation of the equipment can have an impact on the environment.

CO2 Emissions

Ro-Ro: As it has low space efficiency and is not appropriate for transporting a large volume of cargo, CO2 emissions per unit cargo are relatively high. In particular, for long-haul transportation, the emissions might increase more.

Lo-Lo: It has a higher space efficiency as a container loading method and very low CO2 emissions can be maintained when transporting a large volume of cargo. In particular, CO2 emissions can be managed efficiently in long-haul transportation.

In case of the large volume of wheeled cargo, Ro-Ro method is more suitable because it allows the cargo to drive on and off the ship. Therefore, the unloading process is quicker and more efficient.
Unlike Ro-Ro, Lo-Lo method involves vessels handling only full containers generally. Therefore, only containerized cargo can be loaded and isn’t suitable for transporting large volumes of cars.

It is a method that allows cargo to drive on and off the ship using its own power. Because time taken for loading and unloading is very short, it’s efficient in handling a large volume of cargo.
Lo-Lo method involves a use of cranes and handles special types of cargo so relatively takes a longer time to unload.

Lo-Lo method can maximize cargo loading capacity because it relies on vertical loading or stacking heavy cargo, enabling cargo loaded to its maximum capacity.

Lo-Lo ships have outstanding fuel efficiency and emit less CO2 for transporting a large volume of containerized cargo or long distances. Therefore, it is both economical and eco-friendly.