RoRo Ramp
medium
3 models total
A RoRo ramp is a load-bearing structure first and a watertight closure second: it has to carry the weight of loaded trucks and trailers rolling across it while also sealing the hull opening it covers, and a fault in either function, not just the hinge, can put the ship out of service at the berth.
Read more — RoRo Ramp explained ▾
What sets a RoRo ramp apart
A roll-on/roll-off ramp is a hinged steel structure, stern, bow or side mounted, that bridges the gap between the quay or another vessel and the ship's cargo deck so wheeled cargo can be driven straight on and off without cranes. It is distinct from a simple access ladder or gangway in that it must carry rolling axle loads at highway-comparable weights, sometimes over a hundred tonnes for the heaviest units, while also forming part of the hull's watertight or weathertight envelope when closed and dogged down. On many vessels the ramp doubles as the shell door, so its closing mechanism is treated with the same seriousness as any watertight door on the vessel.
Main components
- Ramp platform — the load-bearing deck plate, often with anti-slip surfacing and sometimes a foldable inner flap section for reach onto uneven quays.
- Hinges and pivot points — carry the full swinging weight of the ramp itself plus the rolling load passing over it.
- Hoisting wires or hydraulic cylinders — raise and lower the ramp between stowed and operating position.
- Locking and dogging arrangement — secures the ramp in the closed position and seals it against the hull opening.
- Hydraulic power pack — supplies the cylinders, usually with a manual backup pump for power failure at the berth.
- Position indicators and interlocks — feed the bridge or cargo control station so the vessel cannot get underway with a ramp not fully closed and locked.
Selection and sizing
| Criterion | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Maximum axle and total rolling load | Sets plate thickness, hinge rating and hydraulic cylinder capacity. |
| Ramp angle at low and high tide, or between vessels | Determines usable length and whether an articulated flap is needed to keep the gradient driveable. |
| Corrosion allowance | Ramps sit in a splash zone and see constant wetting, so plate and hinge material need margin beyond calm-water calculations. |
| Hydraulic redundancy | A stern ramp stuck half open can block the only cargo access on the vessel, so backup pumping matters more here than on most hydraulic equipment. |
Regulations and class requirements
SOLAS Chapter II-1 sets specific requirements for RoRo cargo access equipment following incidents where bow and stern doors failed to seal, including indicator and alarm systems on the bridge showing the closed and locked status of every ramp, door and hatch cover that could let water into a RoRo space. Class societies survey the ramp structure, hinges and locking devices at intervals tied to the vessel's periodic survey cycle, with particular attention to the securing devices after any reported difficulty closing or sealing.
Typical faults
| Fault | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Worn hinge pins or bushes | Ramp misaligns with the hull opening, making a full watertight seal harder to achieve on closing. |
| Hydraulic cylinder seal leakage | Ramp creeps down under its own weight or loses lifting force partway through operation. |
| Locking device corrosion or seizure | Ramp can close but not fully lock, which the bridge indicator system is specifically designed to catch. |
| Damaged or worn seal rubber at the closing edge | Water ingress into the RoRo deck in a seaway even with the ramp mechanically locked. |
What to look for in a supplier
- Structural design verified for the vessel's actual maximum rolling load, not a generic rating.
- Hydraulic system with a manual or independent backup means of closing in a power failure.
- Indicator and alarm components compatible with the vessel's existing bridge monitoring system.
- Documented corrosion protection suited to a permanently wet, salt-laden environment.
Treat a ramp that closes slowly or unevenly as a locking problem until proven otherwise, not just a hydraulic one — an asymmetric seal is exactly the failure mode SOLAS indicator systems were introduced to catch before the vessel sails.
1 manufacturers · 3 models
MacGregor
3
MacGregor Internal Ramp
SWL 100-300t
· Marine Equipment
· hydraulic actuation
Type
internal_ramp
Operation
hydraulic
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Hydraulic system failure
- Structural fatigue cracking
- Locking mechanism wear
Service: Internal ramps connecting vehicle decks. Annual load test.
Spare Parts: Cargotec (MacGregor): Ersatzteile per Hersteller. Lead time: 3-8 Wochen. Dichtungen und Ventileinsätze an Bord vorhalten.
Strengths
- High load capacity (up to 30‑40 t per lane) suitable for heavy vehicles
- Compact internal installation saves valuable deck space
- Integrated hydraulic locking mechanism ensures safe, repeatable positioning
- Class‑approved design with proven service history on car carriers and ROPAX vessels
- Ease of maintenance through standardized hydraulic components
Weaknesses
- Hydraulic system adds complexity and requires regular leak checks and fluid management
- Limited angle adjustment compared with some electric or manual ramps
- Weight of the ramp structure can affect overall vessel stability if not accounted for in design
- Potential wear on locking pins necessitates periodic replacement
- Annual load testing required to maintain certification
Typical Vessels:
Pure Car Carrier (PCC)RO‑POA Passenger Ferry (ROPAX)Offshore Supply Vessel with vehicle deckMilitary amphibious transport ship
Certifications:
DNV GL class approvalABS class approvalIMO SOLAS RoRo compliance
Decision Guide: Choose if you need a high‑capacity, space‑efficient internal ramp with proven hydraulic reliability on RoRo vessels. Avoid if your operation prefers simpler manual or electric ramps, has limited maintenance resources for hydraulic systems, or requires extreme angle flexibility.
Use Cases: Installed on car carriers to move cars and trucks between lower and upper vehicle decks during port loading/unloading; used on ROPAX ferries to provide rapid internal deck access for passenger vehicles; fitted on offshore supply vessels to transfer equipment and light vehicles between cargo decks while at sea.
MacGregor Stern Ramp R-Type
SWL 150-500t
· Marine Equipment
· hydraulic stern ramp
Type
stern_ramp
Operation
hydraulic
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Hydraulic cylinder seal leak
- Hinge pin wear
- Ramp flap mechanism failure
- Hydraulic power pack overheating
Service: Annual hydraulic system inspection. Hinge pin NDT at drydock.
Spare Parts: MacGregor: Ersatzteile per Hersteller. Lead time: 3-8 Wochen. Dichtungen und Ventileinsätze an Bord vorhalten.
Strengths
- High load capacity suitable for heavy vehicle cargo
- Fast deployment and retraction via hydraulic actuation
- Modular design allows retrofit on existing vessels
- MacGregor’s proven engineering reputation and widespread support network
- Easy access to hydraulic components for routine maintenance
Weaknesses
- Hydraulic cylinder seals are prone to leakage if not inspected regularly
- Hinge pins can experience wear, requiring NDT at dry‑dock intervals
- Power pack may overheat in high ambient temperature or continuous operation
- Requires dedicated hydraulic power source and associated piping
- Weight of the system is higher than some newer electric‑actuated alternatives
Typical Vessels:
RoRo Cargo ShipCar CarrierFerryOffshore Supply Vessel
Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a robust, high‑capacity stern ramp with proven hydraulic reliability and the vessel already has or can accommodate a hydraulic system. Avoid if: maintenance resources are limited, weight savings are critical, or an electric/servo actuation solution is preferred for energy efficiency.
Use Cases: Commonly installed on new builds and retrofits of vehicle carriers, ferries and offshore supply vessels to enable rapid roll‑on/roll‑off operations in ports with limited shore infrastructure. The ramp’s hydraulic system is favored where quick cycle times and high load ratings are essential.
MacGregor Side Door/Ramp
SWL variable
· Marine Equipment
· hydraulic side door ramp
Type
side_door
Operation
hydraulic
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Door seal leakage
- Hydraulic actuator failure
- Hinge bearing wear
Service: Weather-tight seal critical. Test before each voyage.
Spare Parts: MacGregor: Ersatzteile per Hersteller. Lead time: 3-8 Wochen. Dichtungen und Ventileinsätze an Bord vorhalten.
Strengths
- Weather‑tight seal designed for harsh sea conditions
- Hydraulic actuation enables rapid opening/closing with minimal crew effort
- Side mounting saves valuable bow space and allows flexible vehicle flow
- Modular design facilitates retrofit on existing vessels
- Integrated hinge bearing system reduces deck intrusion when open
Weaknesses
- Seal leakage can occur if regular testing is neglected
- Hydraulic system adds complexity and requires periodic maintenance
- Hinge bearings are subject to wear and may need replacement after high‑cycle use
- Opening width is limited compared to full bow doors, restricting oversized cargo
- Initial procurement cost higher than simple manual ramps
Typical Vessels:
Pure Car Carrier (PCC)RoRo Container ShipPassenger/Vehicle FerryOffshore Supply Vessel with vehicle deckMilitary roll‑on/roll‑off transport ship
Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a side‑entry solution that maintains watertight integrity, rapid hydraulic operation, and space‑saving deck layout. Avoid if: your vessel operates in low‑maintenance environments, budget constraints preclude hydraulic systems, or you require the widest possible opening for oversized cargo.
Use Cases: Commonly installed on car carriers and RoRo ferries to load/unload cars, trucks, and heavy equipment through a side hatch while at berth or offshore. Also used on offshore supply vessels where deck space is limited and a weather‑tight seal is essential during rough seas.