Ro/ro ships are primarily used to transport which type of cargo?

Ro/ro ships, also known as roll-on/roll-off ships, are specifically designed for the transportation of wheeled cargo, making them particularly well-suited for motor vehicles. The design of these ships allows vehicles to be driven on and off the vessel, which facilitates efficient loading and unloading processes. This feature is crucial for transporting vehicles such as cars, trucks, and other machinery that can roll on and off without needing cranes.

In contrast, break-bulk cargo refers to goods that must be loaded individually and not in containers, while containerized cargo is loaded in standard shipping containers, and loose cargo refers to unpackaged goods transported in bulk. None of these cargo types are suited to the ro/ro design, which emphasizes the ease of movement of wheeled assets. This characteristic underscores why motor vehicles are the primary cargo transported by ro/ro ships.