PERSPECTIVES ON THE COMPETITIVE EFFICIENCY OF ROLL-ON ROLL-OFF

It is only in recent years that the evaluation of the future role of Ro-Ro on deep sea routes has become an important issue. Until about two years ago it had played only a comparatively modest part in a total development in the deep sea trades which had encompassed rapid technological development and massive investment required for containerisation of routes between developed nations. In the last two years, however, the pace of development of Ro-Ro systems has increased, partly because of port congestion in O.P.E.C. countries (for which trailer systems provide a short term remedy), but also because of impressive technological and operational development in both short and deep sea applications and a growing appreciation of their value. The problem of port congestion in O.P.E.C. countries is now rapidly being overcome as new facilities are completed and operational capability improves. It is therefore an appropriate time to consider the long term future of Ro-Ro in competition with other systems. The paper starts by considering the nature of the demand for transport capacity. It defines a number of sectors in the general cargo and semi-bulk trades and identifies the Ro-Ro classes competing in each. There is a discussion of the factors controlling competitive efficiency, a general consideration of comparative performance and an assessment of the competitive strength of Ro-Ro in various market environments.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the Ro-Ro 77 Conference (International Conference on Marine Transport using Roll-on/Roll-off Methods), London, June 21-22, 1977. Cost of Proceedings is $70.00.
• Corporate Authors:

  Business Meetings Limited

  2 Station Road
  Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 1QP,   England 
• Authors:
  • Gilman, S
• Conference:
  • Presented at the Ro-Ro 77 Conference (International Conference on Marine Transport using Roll-on/Roll-off Methods), London, June 21-22, 1977. Cost of Proceedings is $70.00.
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 29-37

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cargo handling; Cargo handling equipment; Costs; Economic analysis; Intermodal transportation; Liner shipping; Roll on roll off ships
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00172099
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Business Meetings Limited
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1978 12:00AM