vehicledeck

Vehicledeck is a term used in maritime transport to denote the deck on a vessel designated for carrying road vehicles. It is a common feature on roll-on/roll-off ships, ferries, and many multi-purpose cargo vessels. The design of a vehicledeck prioritizes easy vehicle access, efficient use of space, and secure stowage. Most vehicledecks are wide, open areas that can accommodate cars, trucks, trailers, and motorcycles, with ramps at bow and stern to allow drive-on and drive-off operations. Some vessels employ multi-deck configurations with internal ramps or lift systems between levels to expand carrying capacity.

Key features often include lash points or stowage nets for securing vehicles, drainage, ventilation to manage fuel fumes, lighting, and fire-suppression measures. Height and weight restrictions on a vehicledeck are determined by the vessel's structural limits and are closely monitored during loading.

Regulatory oversight comes primarily from international and national maritime authorities. SOLAS provisions and IMO guidelines address stability, fire safety, ventilation, and cargo securing, while operators develop procedures for efficient loading, unloading, and contingency handling.

Operational considerations include vehicle sequencing for discharge, deck markings and chocks, ramp clearance, and coordination with terminal staff. Variants exist: some Ro-Ro ships have a single large vehicledeck, while others use multiple decks with access ramps between levels. The term is used in planning, operations, and docking procedures within the maritime transport industry.