Ship types

Vehicle carrier

By Admirals Atlas editorial team · Last updated: 22 September 2026

A vehicle carrier is a multi-deck ro-ro ship designed to carry empty cars and trucks. Vehicles are driven or towed into the ship and secured on cargo decks, allowing large numbers to be handled efficiently.

The empty-vehicle role and multi-deck design make “vehicle carrier” narrower than the general ro-ro category, which may cover other wheeled cargo arrangements.

Further reading: IMO ship types and carbon intensity.