Top 10 Biggest RORO Ships in 2025?
RoRo ships, also called roll-on/roll-off vessels, are special kinds of ships made to carry wheeled goods such as cars, trucks, train carriages, and big machines like cranes. There are two main types of these ships: Pure Car Carriers (PCCs), which only carry cars, and Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs), which can take both cars and heavy equipment. These ships are essential for global shipping because they allow quick and easy loading and unloading through their built-in ramps. The use of RoRo ships started to grow in the 19th century, mainly because of the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the increasing trade across the world.
As more people started buying cars and using heavy machinery, ship companies began building bigger ships that could carry large amounts of wheeled items across the sea, changing the way goods were transported by sea. Today, RoRo ships have become enormous and very efficient. They are not only bigger but also use better technology to help protect the environment. They have improved hull shapes, use cleaner fuel and hybrid engines, and produce less pollution. These modern ships are part of the future of green shipping. Now let’s look at the ten largest RoRo ships that are currently in operation around the world.
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MV Tønsberg
The MV Tønsberg, part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s MK-V class, is the world’s largest RoRo vessel with a massive 138,000 m³ cargo capacity. Built in 2011 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, it measures 265 m long and 32 m wide and offers six decks for cars, heavy machinery, and breakbulk cargo.
Equipped with powerful ramps—one capable of lifting 450 tonnes—it ensures smooth loading and unloading. With over 50,000 sq. m of deck space and accommodations for 37 crew, this 75,251 GT giant combines size, efficiency, and eco-friendliness by running on low-sulfur fuel and marine diesel.
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Figaro Vehicle Carrier
The Figaro, built in 2011 by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, is a powerful RoRo carrier operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Classified as a large car truck carrier, it can transport up to 7,880 cars or a mix of cars, buses, and heavy vehicles across nine flexible decks.
With dimensions of 232 m in length, 32 m in beam, and a gross tonnage of 74,258, this Swedish-flagged vessel is built for both capacity and performance. Its dual ramps and liftable decks allow seamless handling of oversized cargo, while a top speed of 20 knots ensures efficiency at sea.
Equipped with automated engine controls, optimized rudders, and advanced fire safety systems, Figaro blends technology with safety. Its 39-member crew also benefits from comfortable onboard living spaces, making it a true balance of power, innovation, and crew well-being.
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CLdN Group’s MV Celine
Known as the “Gigantic of the Irish Sea,” the MV Celine is one of the biggest short-sea RoRo ships currently in use. It is owned by a company based in Luxembourg called CLdN and was built at a shipyard in South Korea named Hyundai Mipo. The ship started operating in 2018. The MV Celine has a huge capacity of 8,000 lane meters, which helps move cars and trucks between Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
This supports important trade routes in Europe. The ship is 235 meters long, 35 meters wide, and has a gross tonnage of 74,273, making it a standout in the region. The ship has five decks and two big ramps, with three of them specifically for trucks.
This setup allows for flexible and efficient transport. It uses a modern two-stroke engine that gives good performance while also cutting down on emissions. This makes the MV Celine a great example of combining large size, speed, and environmental responsibility.
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Century Highway Green (K-Line)
The Century Highway Green, launched in 2021 by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (K-Line), is a groundbreaking step in eco-friendly RoRo shipping. Built at Japan’s Tadotsu Shipyard, it operates on liquefied natural gas (LNG) instead of heavy fuel oil, cutting carbon emissions by 25% and reducing sulphur and nitrogen oxides by up to 85%.
Measuring 200 m in length and 38 m in width, the vessel can carry 7,080 cars in a single voyage. Its dual-fuel engines and massive 2,440 m³ LNG tank ensure both sustainability and efficiency, while advanced monitoring systems track fuel usage and engine performance in real time.
Beyond its green technology, Century Highway Green is equipped with cutting-edge digital features, including full Wi-Fi coverage across decks and enhanced surveillance systems, making it one of the most modern and environmentally responsible RoRo carriers in the world.
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ARC Endurance
The ARC Endurance, operated by American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC), is the largest RoRo vessel sailing under the U.S. flag. Built in 1996 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and previously named Taronga, it has stood the test of time and continues to rank among the biggest RoRo ships in the world. With dimensions of 264.6 m in length and 32.29 m in width and a gross tonnage of 72,708, it offers an enormous 260,000 sq. ft of cargo space spread across nine decks. Its advanced ramps, capable of lifting up to 330 tonnes, allow it to transport a wide variety of cargo, from passenger cars to heavy-duty military equipment.
Despite its age, the ARC Endurance remains crucial in both commercial and defense logistics. It is frequently deployed to strategic ports across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and South Asia, showcasing its versatility and reliability. Its ability to handle diverse and oversized cargo has cemented its reputation as one of the most valuable assets in the global RoRo fleet.
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Eco Livorno (Grimaldi Lines)
Launched in 2021, the Eco Livorno is part of the GG5G class, recognized as the world’s greenest generation of RoRo ships. Built at the Jinling Shipyard in China for the Grimaldi Group, this Italian-flagged vessel combines size with cutting-edge sustainability. Measuring 238 m in length and 34 m in width, with a gross tonnage of 67,311, it stands out as both massive and efficient.
The ship offers 7,800 lane meters of cargo space, capable of carrying up to 495 trailers and 182 cars across its seven decks. Its hybrid propulsion system, supported by lithium batteries recharged through onboard solar panels, allows Eco Livorno to achieve zero emissions while at port—a significant step forward in eco-friendly maritime transport.
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MKIV Ships of Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s MKIV class vessels were engineered to meet the growing demand for transporting not just cars but also oversized machinery and breakbulk cargo. Their design includes stern ramps with a lifting capacity of 500 tonnes, allowing them to handle extremely heavy loads. With the ability to accommodate cargo up to 7 meters tall, these ships provide unmatched flexibility in modern RoRo shipping.
Launched in the early 2000s, notable MKIV vessels such as Talisman, Tamesis, Tarago, and Tamerlane quickly became essential members of the global fleet. These ships played a major role in expanding the company’s capacity to serve both automotive manufacturers and industries requiring specialized heavy-lift logistics. Their versatility made them a reliable choice for diverse shipping operations worldwide.
In terms of specifications, the MKIV ships measure 240.6 meters in length and 32.3 meters in width, with a gross tonnage of around 67,000 tonnes. At the time of their introduction, they were ahead of the curve in fuel efficiency and emission control, setting standards for environmentally conscious shipping. Even today, they remain a strong example of innovative maritime engineering.
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Ephesus Seaways (DFDS)
The Ephesus Seaways was launched in 2019 at the Jinling Shipyard in China and stands out as a key part of DFDS’s fleet renewal plan. Designed by the well-known naval architecture company Knude E. Hansen, the ship shows DFDS’s focus on blending modern shipping efficiency with eco-friendly methods. Its design allows for smooth operations while cutting down on emissions, making it a great addition to sustainable logistics. The vessel is 238 meters long and 34 meters wide, with a gross tonnage of 60,400 tonnes, placing it among the biggest RoRo ships in Europe.
Its decks can hold up to 460 trailers, and automated ramps help make loading and unloading faster and easier. The ship is powered by a 23,600 KW MAN-B&W engine, which lets it reach speeds of 20 knots, ensuring fast and reliable service on its routes.
Today, the Ephesus Seaways mainly travels between Turkey and Europe, acting as an important link in regional and global trade. Its advanced features and environmentally friendly design not only improve DFDS’s operational performance but also help build its image as a leader in green maritime transport. The ship shows how modern RoRo carriers can achieve high capacity, speed, and sustainability all at once.
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Felicity Ace (MOL)
The Felicity Ace, run by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), was a famous car carrier that became widely known because of a sad event. It was built in 2005 at a dockyard in Japan and was made to carry a lot of vehicles efficiently. The ship was over 200 meters long and could hold almost 4,000 cars, mostly high-end luxury models meant for sale around the world. February 2022, while traveling across the Atlantic Ocean, the Felicity Ace caught fire while carrying thousands of vehicles, including expensive brands like Porsche, Bentley, and Lamborghini.
Even though all the crew members were safely rescued, the ship and its cargo couldn’t be saved. The fire burned for several days before the ship finally sank near the Azores Islands, causing losses of more than $400 million. Even though the ship is no longer in use, it is still a big topic in the history of car shipping.
The incident showed how risky it can be to transport valuable goods by sea and stressed the need for better fire safety on large vessels. Today, the Felicity Ace is used as an example to learn about the dangers of big car carriers and the importance of strong safety systems on ships.
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Morning Crown
The Morning Crown, built in 2005 in Poland for Crown Maritime Limited, is a RoRo ship that flies the Bahamas flag and keeps working on international routes. After almost twenty years of being in service, it’s still an important part of the global car carrier fleet, showing how strong and efficient it is. The ship is almost 200 meters long and 32.29 meters wide, with a total weight of 57,692 tonnes.
It can carry about 6,600 cars. It has two ramps and decks that can be raised, which helps in loading and unloading vehicles easily, making it great for handling a lot of different kinds of goods. The Morning Crown has a powerful engine with 15,857 KW, allowing it to go up to 19.8 knots.
Even after many years at sea, it shows how reliable and strong it is. It remains a solid example of good shipbuilding and continues to be a dependable part of the maritime industry.
From the eco-friendly Century Highway Green to the record-breaking MV Tønsberg, these RoRo ships represent the peak of modern shipbuilding—giants that are not only massive in size but also vital for keeping global trade moving. With innovations in sustainability and efficiency, the future promises even more groundbreaking designs that will continue to reshape maritime logistics.
