# Ro-pax ship

> A ship combining passenger transport with roll-on/roll-off vehicle or wheeled-cargo space.

## Record

- Record type: Encyclopedia entry
- Canonical page: https://admiralsatlas.com/en/ship-types/ro-pax-ship/
- Last updated: 2026-09-22

## Article

A **ro-pax ship** combines passenger accommodation with **roll-on/roll-off** space for vehicles or other wheeled cargo. Vehicles normally move aboard through ramps rather than being lifted into the ship's holds.

The type differs from a cargo-focused [ro-ro ship](/en/ship-types/ro-ro-ship/) because passengers are an integral part of the vessel's service. It also differs from the broader [passenger ship](/en/ship-types/passenger-ship/) label because it identifies the ro-ro cargo arrangement. A particular ship's permitted passenger capacity must be checked in its own records.

[Further reading: IMO safety of ro-ro ferries](https://www.imo.org/en/ourwork/safety/pages/ro-roferries.aspx).