Transporting Your Vehicle

Transport by Cargo

For those setting off with their vehicle on a round-the-world trip or needing to cross seas, how do you arrange the passage, what problems might arise, and how much does it cost?

Apart from a few routes/situations where you might also opt for a ferry, cargo is almost always the only way to transport a vehicle.

Ro-Ro and Container Ships

For transport, you can choose between "roll-on/roll-off" (ro-ro) ships or container ships.

In a container ship (the recommended option), the vehicle is protected and cannot move during transport; moreover, no one knows its contents, which helps avoid "covetousness". Inside, the vehicle is securely fastened using ropes and wooden wedges nailed into the container. You can leave your belongings inside and even share the container with others. In all cases, close all vehicle doors and keep the keys. The container will then be sealed, and you should keep the seal number. However, always be present on-site for opening and closing.

As for ro-ro ships, they offer fewer guarantees but are indeed cheaper. Here, the vehicle is on deck, and you cannot leave your luggage with it. It’s better to pay a little more and have your vehicle in a well-protected hold rather than exposed to the open air and seawater.

Ports of Embarkation

In France, the two main transit ports for embarkation are Le Havre and Marseille.

If departing from abroad, there’s no need to book your ship from France, though nothing prevents you from contacting providers by email or phone beforehand. In fact, organizing on-site is usually more reliable (since you’ll be there), easier, and cheaper. Allow about a week to arrange a departure (2 or 3 days in Singapore but up to 20 days in India!) and plan a few days upon arrival as well.

Practically all inter-port connections are possible. On the busiest routes, you can find a departing ship on average every ten days; for others, it may take longer. Crossing times depend on distances, routes, and stops—count on roughly 600 km/day.

Generally, it’s also advisable to arrive at your destination at least one or two days before the ship’s arrival to learn the unloading procedures. In practice, this is entirely possible because traveling on a container ship with your vehicle is rarely allowed; captains often refuse passengers due to insurance issues and limited space on board. Even if they agree, you’ll pay much more for the journey than you would by plane.

Rates

Regarding prices, don’t forget that maritime transport is relatively expensive. Costs aren’t necessarily proportional to the journey’s length but rather to traffic and the ship’s occupancy rate.

Schematically, transport costs can be divided into three levels: "before" (container loading, crane handling, port fees, maritime agent fees; around 300 € minimum), "during" (the freight itself; from 800 € to 2,500 € depending on the route), and "after" (same as "before"). So, for a standard container crossing, the breakdown is roughly 60 to 75% freight + 25 to 40% additional fees on average.

Freight Forwarders

To ship a vehicle, you’ll usually need to go through a "maritime agent" or freight forwarder who will handle customs clearance, container provision, and crane handling.

At the arrival port, you’ll also need to find another maritime agent to "import" the vehicle. This is why you should always ask your departure port agent for an "arrival contact". The paperwork, especially the "bill of lading"—the essential document for retrieving your vehicle, issued by the shipping company after the ship’s departure—will be sent directly to them.

On top of this, the freight forwarder will handle all paperwork and may even find a reliable insurance company to cover the vehicle in the country. Their fees can sometimes exceed the transport costs. Since there are significant differences between maritime agents, request quotes and ensure all fees are included.

Choosing the right freight forwarder is crucial. Sometimes, it’s better to pay a little more for a guarantee of reliability in return.

Other Transport Methods

Ferries

In all cases, this is the simplest and most economical way to transport your car, motorcycle, or bicycle. Common in Europe and slightly less so elsewhere, you’ll find ferries almost everywhere for short distances. Advantages: vehicle transport prices are fixed, easily available, and security is guaranteed.

Airplane

While it’s hardly feasible for a car due to the cost, it’s a viable option for a motorcycle. For short distances, air freight is often cheaper than cargo transport. In this case, for security, deflate the tires, drain the fuel tank, brake fluid, and battery acid.

As for bicycles, you can transport them—with deflated tires—on all airlines as checked baggage, though some may charge a small supplement. SNCF-style packaging may suffice, but it’s useful to protect sensitive parts. The advantage is that transporting your bicycle usually means no extra fees if you stay under the 20/23 kg baggage allowance.