carferry

A car ferry is a passenger and vehicle transport vessel designed to carry cars, trucks and other road vehicles in addition to people. Most are roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ships, using built-in ramps that allow vehicles to drive on at one end and off at the other. Car ferries may operate as stand-alone routes or as part of ro-pax services that transport both passengers and vehicles.

Layout and capacity vary by vessel, but typical car ferries have one or more vehicle decks with ramps for loading and unloading. Vehicle decks are designed for standard road clearance, with height restrictions and safe driving angles. Some vessels use adjustable or split decks to accommodate taller trucks or trailers, while the upper decks often provide passenger facilities.

Operations are common on short to medium-distance routes across seas, rivers or channels, linking islands, peninsulas or coastal communities. Efficiency depends on quick vehicle loading, reliable timetables, and streamlined port turnarounds. Modern ferries also integrate with ticketing, scheduling and safety systems to manage both cargo and passenger flows.

Historically, car ferries arose from early experiments in vehicle-carrying boats, expanding significantly in the postwar period with dedicated RoRo designs. Today, ferries range from small coastal vessels to large ships that form interconnected networks, sometimes with multi-ship ro-pax services that combine car capacity with passenger space and amenities.

Car ferries are central to mobility in coastal regions, supporting residents, tourism and trade. They operate under national and international safety and environmental regulations, including SOLAS requirements and port authority guidelines.