
Con Ro vessels come in various types and sizes to meet the diverse needs of global trade.
General-purpose Con Ro vessels are designed for multi-purpose cargo operations, carrying a mix of containerized and breakbulk cargo.
Specialized Con Ro vessels, on the other hand, are designed for specific types of cargo, such as project cargo or oversized equipment.
The size of Con Ro vessels can range from small feeder vessels to large ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs).
Environmental Impact
The new con ro vessels have a significant impact on the environment.
These vessels boast a 57% reduced fuel consumption per transported unit, which is a huge step towards sustainability.
The reduction in fuel consumption directly correlates to a 63% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per transported unit.
This is a substantial decrease, and it's a major win for the environment.
The vessels also emit 99% less oxides of sulphur (SOx) than traditional vessels.
This reduction in SOx emissions is a significant improvement.
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Furthermore, the new con ro vessels produce 96% less oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
This decrease in NOx emissions is also a notable achievement.
In addition to the reductions in SOx and NOx, the vessels also emit 99% less particulate matter (PM2.5).
This reduction in PM2.5 emissions is a major plus for air quality.
Vessel Description
A con ro vessel is typically a large ship designed to carry cargo containers. They can range from 800 to 1,000 feet in length.
The cargo holds of a con ro vessel are designed to accommodate a variety of container sizes, from 20 to 53 feet in length. This versatility allows for efficient loading and unloading of containers at ports.
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Botnia Enabler Vessel Review
The Botnia Enabler is a ConRo vessel designed to handle harsh winter conditions in the Gulf of Bothnia. It has a length of 242 meters and a beam of 35.2 meters.
The vessel is powered by two WinGD-7RT-flex50DF 21,000kW multi-fuel engines capable of running on LNG, liquefied biogas, or MGO. This makes it an energy-efficient option with a range of 3,600 nautical miles during MGO-only sailings.

The Botnia Enabler has a cargo capacity of 5,800 lane meters and 800 TEUs, with accommodations for 22 crew members and 12 passengers. It's designed for regular traffic on the service that covers Zeebrugge, Antwerp, Kokkola, Skellefteå, Oulu, Kemi, and Travemünde.
Here are the key specifications of the Botnia Enabler:
The Botnia Enabler is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 63 percent, and emissions of NOx, SOx, and particulates by 96 percent, 99 percent, and 99 percent, respectively.
Messina's New Quarzo Delivered, South Korea
The Jolly Quarzo vessel was delivered on February 21st at the Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering shipyard.
The new vessel is the result of an industrial plan by Messina shipping Group to enlarge its fleet by four 3900 teu or 6350 linear meter new ro-ro containerships.
The Jolly Quarzo is the largest of its kind ever built, with an overall length of 240 meters and a 37.50 meter breadth.
It's designed to reach a 21.5 knot speed and is fitted with the state-of-the-art antipollution system for the cleaning of exhausted gas.
The vessel is highly flexible and can operate in ports with limited draft, thanks to its 11.50 meter draft and 45,200 DWT.
The Jolly Quarzo has a stern quarter ramp of 350 ton capacity, allowing it to load awkward and project cargo up to 7 meters high.
All four sister-ships fly the Italian flag, are R.I.N.A. and ABS certified, and registered in the International Register at the Genoa Coast Guard.
Description
RORO vessels come in various forms, including ferries, cruiseferries, cargo ships, barges, and specialized vessels for air and railway deliveries. One type of RORO vessel is the pure car carrier (PCC) or pure car/truck carrier (PCTC), designed specifically for transporting new automobiles.
These vessels are typically measured in lanes in meters (LIMs), which is calculated by multiplying the cargo length in meters by the number of decks and by its width in lanes. The cargo capacity of PCCs is often measured in RT or RT43 units, based on a 1966 Toyota Corona.

The largest RORO passenger ferry is the MS Color Magic, which entered service in 2007 and can carry 550 cars or 1,270 lane meters of cargo. It's impressive to think about the size of these vessels, with the MS Color Magic being 223.70 meters long and 35 meters wide.
Here are some key statistics for RORO passenger ferries:
RORO vessels can achieve cruising speeds of up to 16 knots (18 mph; 30 km/h) at eco-speed, while reaching speeds of over 19 knots (22 mph; 35 km/h) at full speed.
Vessel Performance
A con ro vessel's vessel performance is a crucial aspect of its overall efficiency.
The vessel's cargo capacity is a key factor in its performance, with a typical con ro vessel carrying around 10,000 to 15,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
A con ro vessel's speed can vary greatly, but on average, it can reach speeds of up to 25 knots.

The vessel's fuel consumption is also a significant factor in its performance, with a con ro vessel consuming around 150 to 200 tons of fuel per day.
A well-designed con ro vessel can reduce its fuel consumption by up to 10% through the use of advanced technologies.
The vessel's cargo handling system is also a critical aspect of its performance, with a con ro vessel typically having a system that can handle around 2,000 to 3,000 containers per day.
Vessel Variations
ConRo ships, like the G4 class of the Atlantic Container Line, can carry a combination of containers, heavy equipment, oversized cargo, and automobiles.
ConRo ships have a unique design that allows them to stack containerized freight on top decks and store vehicles below.
A ConRo ship can segregate automobiles from other vehicles, Mafi roll trailers, and break-bulk cargo using separate internal ramp systems.
There are several other types of RORO vessels that have evolved to meet specific needs. Let's take a look at some of these variations.
Each of these variations has its own unique characteristics and advantages. For example, ConRo ships are ideal for transporting a mix of cargo types, while RoLo vessels are suited for operations in areas with changing tides.
Spliethoff Launches Europe to US East Coast Service
Spliethoff is starting a monthly Con-Ro liner service from Belgium and the UK to the US East Coast from June 1.
The service will make stops at Antwerp, Belgium, Bristol and/or Marchwood in the UK and Baltimore, MD, Gloucester, NJ, and Morehead City, NC, in the US.
This unique service offers a transit time of around 14 days from port to port, making it a fast option for shipping cargo.
The Con-Ro vessels used for this service have a container capacity of approximately 640 TEU, as well as up to 3,000 lane meters for Ro-Ro cargo.
Return cargoes are also possible from the US East Coast to Europe, giving customers flexibility in their shipping needs.
Spliethoff has unrivaled experience in transporting cargo between Europe and the US, with over 100 years of maritime history.
The company's specialist Con-Ro vessels are suited for practically any type of general cargo, making them a versatile option for customers.
The service includes 14 days of free storage, stripping, and stuffing of cargo from containers, as well as in-land road transport options with liner-owned containers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the con of the vessel?
The "conn" of a vessel is the person in charge of controlling its engine, rudder, lines, and ground tackle. This person holds the key to navigating the ship safely and efficiently.
What does RoRo mean in shipping?
RoRo" is a shipping term that stands for "roll-on-roll-off," referring to the safe and reliable transportation of vehicles and heavy equipment by sea. This method allows for easy loading and unloading of cargo at ports.
How many cars fit on a RoRo ship?
RoRo ships can carry approximately 5,000-6,000 cars per sailing, with some of the largest vessels spanning over 850ft in length
Sources
- https://www.bairdmaritime.com/shipping/boxships/vessel-review-botnia-enabler-multi-fuel-con-ro-ships-join-wallenius-sol-fleet
- https://wallenius-sol.com/en/enabler-magazine/naming-ceremony-worlds-biggest-ice-rated-conro-vessel
- https://www.offshore-energy.biz/messinas-new-conro-vessel-jolly-quarzo-delivered-south-korea/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roll-on/roll-off
- https://www.spliethoff.com/news/spliethoff-launches-high-speed-con-ro-liner-service-between-europe-and-the-us-east-coast/
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