This week’s Ship Ahoy feature is CARMEN, a vehicles carrier also known as a Ro-Ro (roll on roll off vehicle carrier).
CARMEN is one of more than 60 of the ‘state of the art’ Wallenius Wilhemsen’s innovative and sustainable fleet of vessels.
I am often intrigued by these Ro-Ro vessels and so was fascinated to read that Ro-Ro is apparently the safer smarter way to transport such cargo as cars, trucks and large construction, agricultural machinery and more.
Roll on Roll off vessels load their cargo via a stern ramp, a secure and efficient process which ensures safe handling regardless of the weather. Inside a Ro-Ro ship works like a parking station, with ramps connecting the decks.
The cargo is ‘rolled’ on board to the appropriate deck, depending on it’s weight, height and length, and safely secured with lashing to the vessel deck.
This system allows these vessels to carry anything from cars to trucks to heavy mining equipment, generators and even locomotives. The quality of handling such cargo is unrivalled by any other vessel type.
No wonder I love the Ro-Ro vessels.
| Year Built | 2011 |
| Flag | Sweden |
| IMO | 9505027 |
| Dead Weight | 30,133 |
| Car Capacity | 7,934 |
| Hoistable Decks | 5 |
| Maximum Ro-Ro Height | 6.50m |
| Maximum Ro-Ro Weight | 9.50m |
