The three ways machines cross the ocean
Container: the machine travels in or on a container (closed box, open-top or flat-rack). Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off): self-propelled machines are driven aboard a vessel with ramps and lashed on deck. Break-bulk: oversize or dismantled machines are lifted aboard piece by piece. The right choice comes down to machine size, whether it runs, and what sails from the nearest port.
Quick comparison
| Factor | Container / flat-rack | Ro-Ro | Break-bulk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Machines under ~20t, parts, multiple small units | Running machines and trucks of any drivable size | Cranes, oversize and dismantled machines |
| Dismantling needed | Often (boom, ROPS, counterweight) | Rarely (mirrors, stacks) | Yes, extensive |
| Weather protection | Best (closed box) / good (flat-rack, wrapped) | Under deck: good | Varies by stowage |
| Port coverage | Widest - container service reaches almost every port | Limited to Ro-Ro ports | Limited, schedule-driven |
| Relative cost (single 20t machine) | Medium-high (dismantling + handling) | Usually lowest | Highest |
Rules of thumb we quote by
- Mini excavators, skid steers, small rollers: inside a 40ft container, often two or three units consolidated
- 10-20 ton excavators, backhoes, small loaders: 40ft flat-rack, boom or ROPS down
- Dozers, 20t+ excavators, wheel loaders, dump trucks that run: Ro-Ro
- Crawler cranes and anything over Ro-Ro deck limits: break-bulk
- Destination has no Ro-Ro service? Container or break-bulk regardless of size
What this means for your quote
A good exporter prices both routes where the machine allows it and quotes the cheaper landed number. That is how we quote: one all-in price covering dismantling where needed, port handling, lashing and ocean freight - so you compare machines, not freight surcharges. Machine-by-machine sizing notes are on our category pages, e.g. excavators and dump trucks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ro-Ro or container shipping cheaper for heavy equipment?
For a single self-propelled machine over about 15-20 tons, Ro-Ro is usually cheaper because there is no dismantling or container handling. For smaller machines, or several machines consolidated together, containers often win.
Can an excavator fit in a shipping container?
Mini and midi excavators fit inside a standard 40ft container. Machines up to roughly the 20-ton class ship on 40ft flat-racks with the boom removed. Larger excavators go Ro-Ro or break-bulk.
Is cargo safer in a container or on a Ro-Ro vessel?
Both are safe when properly lashed. Containers offer more protection from weather and pilferage of loose parts; Ro-Ro machines should have cabs locked and loose items removed or secured.
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