Ro-Ro shipping is the main type of international trading. The vehicle handling terminal at the port is called the Ro-Ro terminal. This blog explains Ro-Ro terminal operation.
What is a Ro-Ro terminal?
Ro-Ro stands for Roll on Roll off. Also called an automobile terminal. Vehicle handling operations are done at the terminal. For international trading of vehicles, it is essential to know about to terminal operation process. It may import vehicles or export or transshipment the vehicles. All are done by to terminal.
The simple meaning of RO-Ro terminal we can say it is a terminal that is operated by Ro-Ro vessels. usually Ro-Ro vessels transport vehicles.
What are the vessel types of Ro-Ro terminal handling
There are many types of ro-ro vessels. Next, we will identify the main vessel types of RORO.
Full Ro RO-this type of vessel carries vehicles only.
Gen Ro-General cargo ships with auxiliary facilities for Ro-Ro
ConRo- ship means they are carrying containers and vehicles. There is a facility to roll on roll off cargo.
PCC -pure car carrier.In this type of ship carrying cars only.
PCTC-Pure car and truck carrier. carrying cars and trucks.
What are the resources required for the Ro-Ro terminal?
Lashing and unleashing gang
Tally clerks or checkers
Drivers-For drive vehicles in and out of the vessel
labor requirements for maintainers
need to allocate a place for vehicle parking
need resources for special operations.eg: accidence and emergency situation
shuttle services for move drivers
what are value-added services and business in Ro-Ro terminal?
vehicle transshipment
This is a famous value-added business in ro-ro terminals. Most of the time vehicles are imported from the manufacturing country and added value or modifications to vehicles and re-export them. This process is called as the vehicle or automobile transshipment.
PDI-Pre delivery inspection
vehicle enhancement work
Next, we are going to identify that ro-ro or automobile terminal plan before the ship’s arrival at the port.
Ro-Ro terminal planning before the ship’s arrival
1. Berth planning
Berth number needs to plan before the ship arrives considering the ship’s measurements such as draft, LOA, etc
position of the ship ramp
berth plan needs to minimize quary transfer distance
2. Yard planning
yard planning also needs to do as a minimum distance quary transfer
yard planning with segregation of the cargo
3. Ship planning-STOWAGE planning
4. HR/other resources planning
Skills of employees and resources at minimum cost
Safe operation at Ro-Ro terminal operation
drivers must follow the instructions when driving the vehicles in and out of the vessel and yard
need to follow the damage prevention guides
better planning and training of signalmen’s/leadman’s working procedure
better lasher’s working procedure
Basic Layout of Ro-Ro Terminal
Ro-Ro Terminal operation
- A terminal operation can be divided into 4 main categories
- Ship discharging or loading operation
- Quay transfer operation
- storage /parking /stacking /yard operation
- Receipt/delivery operation/gate operation
Main types of chargers in the automobile terminal /Ro-Ro terminal operation
- Navigational chargers at the port
- dockage
- wharf handling chargers
- stevedoring chargers
- rent for store facility
Safe operation at Ro-Ro Terminal
drivers need to follow instructions and guidelines. such as
drivers are not allowed to wear watches, rings, belts, keys, slippers, neckless,
not allowed to use mobile phones at work
not allowed to use food or drinks inside the vehicles
not allowed to smoke
Drivers should follow instructions before getting into vehicles
Proper round check
if identify any damage, need to report supervisor/ship crew with photographs and damage reports
when the driver opens the door needs to use a hand to protect the door.
Before starting, the vehicle need to adjust the seat/mirror/gears to the proper position.
the standard speed limit is 20 kmph on board and 40kmph at the yard operation
need to keep a safe distance in convoy-moe than 10 m
do not allow to overtake
Signal man’s /lead man working procedure
wearing luminous color shirt for the safety
use whistle
follow the standard signaling instructions
use the signal bar/touch/flashlight and gloves
checking divers follow the given instruction
work as a traffic controller
check the parking procedure and help with the proper parking
Lasher’s working procedure
Wearing proper attire – safety jackets
do not allow o throw-lashing materials
follow the correct way to carry materials
keeping the lashing materials from the vehicle route
Videos related to the Ro-Ro terminal
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