In the overall shipping slack, the boom in Ro-Ro transportation market attracts more investor to and raises the prospects for the industry.
The strong demand for cars from developing countries and the fast recovery of Japan from the disaster jointly drive the global car shipping volume up as much as 16% from the beginning of this year. On the contrary, according to Clarkson the global Ro-Ro fleet only grows by 5% till now in 2012, pushing Ro-Ro shipping market to the prime time after financial crisis.
Insiders expect more brilliant future for Ro-Ro market. It is estimated that the loading rate of global Ro-Ro fleet is to grow to as high as 95% in the following few years due the low ordering activities in the last two years. However, since the beginning of 2012, EUKOR, Zodiac, Ray, Glovis and other owners has begun to order new Ro-Ros gradually. New orders have come up to as many as 87,000TEU till now.
With China growing as the second largest car export country, more investors are turning their eyes to Chinese Ro-Ro shipping market. Chinese government also supports the industry by adjusting relevant policies.
However, Chinese Ro-Ro owners are supposed to improve their own capacity and services firstly. Current Chinese Ro-Ro fleet are mostly for inland river and coastal services, lacking capacity for international services. More investment and independent brand builder are essential for the strength of Chinese Ro-Ro shipping.