Global Ro-Ro Capacity Expands as 12 New Vehicle Carriers Enter the Asia Trade

New vessel deliveries are easing the container shortage pressure and bringing down spot rates for vehicle shipments to Europe, the Middle East and South America.

Twelve new or converted pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) have entered service on Asia export trades since the start of 2026, materially easing the capacity crunch that pushed vehicle shipping rates to record highs in prior years.

Freight forwarders report that spot rates on the Shanghai–Middle East and Shanghai–South America corridors have softened, and fixed-schedule sailings are easier to book with shorter waiting windows.

The added capacity is a welcome relief for used-vehicle exporters, who previously competed with brand-new OEM cargo for limited ro-ro space during peak months.

Sieton Group’s logistics team has secured long-term allocations on three of the newly commissioned vessels, protecting sailing stability for dealer orders through the second half of the year.

Dealers are still advised to book peak-season (September–November) shipments four to six weeks in advance, as new-car launch cargo can again tighten availability.