RoRos in the News

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Lots of news in the RoRo cargo sector.

Godby Shipping orders two new RoRo vessels at CIMC Raffles

The Stream RoRo concept was developed in collaboration with Technolog Services in Hamburg, Germany, drawing on extensive experience from Godby Shipping’s existing and previous vessels. Particular emphasis has been placed on minimizing fuel consumption through advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling and tank testing. Cargo capacity is expected to be 70–100% greater than that of the current vessels MIMER and MIDAS, while maintaining the same fuel consumption. while maintaining the same fuel consumption.
Construction is scheduled to begin in June and November 2027, with launches planned for May and October 2028. Deliveries are expected in September 2028 and January 2029.
Each vessel will provide employment for approximately 50 crew members onboard. Godby Shipping intends to register the vessels under the Finnish flag. Like the company’s other RoRo vessels, they will feature a high Finnish/Swedish ice class 1A.

The flag of both Finland and Åland Islands (not Iceland) is featured in front of the Godby delegation: https://www.godbyshipping.fi/

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Another Nordic RoRo shipping line is also in the news for newbuilding at CIMC Raffles shipyard in China:

Smyril Line’s first RoRo newbuilding has been launched

The first of Smyril Line’s two upcoming RoRo newbuildings has been launched. The ceremony took place on 12 February at the CIMC Raffles shipyard in China, where the keel for yard number H616 was laid back in September 2025. H616, which will later be named AKRANES, is expected to be delivered in May this year, while H617 will be delivered in July.

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But it is not only in the Nordics that things are happening on the RoRo front:

New Red Sea RoRo route introduced

This time we are not talking newbuilt RoRo vessels, though.

The route connects Port Tawfik (Egypt), Jebel Ali (United Arab Emirates), Djibouti (Djibouti), and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)
The service is operated by the 1983-built vessel AL FOLK, with a capacity of 1,250 lane metres.

AL FOLK Ro-Ro Cargo Ship, IMO: 8009014, MMSI: 341082002

Photo: Mohamed Sabry, JEDDAH March 16, 2022.
PS: Under one of many former names and flags.
https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/401516

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Not news exactly, but interesting to see how one of largest Roros function:

MV Tønsberg: The Raw Power Of The Largest Roll-On/Roll-Off Vessel In The World

PS: Glad I don’t have to contend with this kind of pressure and the “formalities” that need to be addressed just to enter a US port.

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Every port globally Tonsberg calls has formalities. United States no more or less difficult than the others. I know first hand, was a port manager, trade manager and operations manager for Wilhelmsen. US, West Africa, Oceania, and South America. Each has its procedure that must be followed. Well known carrier with a good reputation has very few difficulties. Problem ship is closely monitored.

Other than entering there designated areas Proximity to Military installations on the Chesapeake is irrelevant. US Coast Guard is responsible for port security, the department of Homeland Security. The Defense, now War department has no role in commercial ship monitoring. It’s the only flaw I found in the presentation

Video is very well done shows the capabilities and complex operation accurately