RoRo & Breakbulk Shipping from Riga to South America — Vehicles, Machinery & Project Cargo
Unicore ships wheeled units, machinery and oversized project cargo from Riga to South American ports (Santos, Buenos Aires, Callao, Cartagena) via RoRo and breakbulk/out-of-gauge services. Transit is typically 28–40 days; RoRo units are quoted per cubic metre or lane metre and heavy-lift project cargo is engineered and quoted per shipment.
Author credentials: IATA CASS & IATA DGR certified freight forwarder (Riga, Latvia).
Indicative Prices
| Service | Indicative rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo car / van | €1,500–3,500 | per unit |
| RoRo high & heavy / machinery | €45–90 | per CBM or lane metre |
| Breakbulk / out-of-gauge | Project quote | engineered per shipment |
| Export customs (Riga) | €120–250 | per declaration |
Prices are indicative for orientation only — request a firm quote. Rates are subject to space and equipment availability, fuel/currency surcharges and season.
Transit Times
| Option | Transit time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo | 28–35 days | Via North Europe RoRo hub |
| Breakbulk / MPP vessel | 32–40 days | Multi-purpose vessel, heavy-lift gear |
Departure frequency: Monthly to fortnightly RoRo and multipurpose (MPP) sailings from North European hubs (Bremerhaven, Zeebrugge, Antwerp) serving Santos, Buenos Aires, Callao and Cartagena, with feeder from Riga.
Documents & Customs
Required Export Documents
- Commercial invoice & packing list
- EU export declaration (EX)
- Bill of Lading / RoRo booking & vehicle title (for cars)
- Method statement & lashing plan for out-of-gauge cargo
- Certificate of Origin / destination import permits
Required Import Documents
- Destination importer & local customs broker
- Import licence / homologation for vehicles (varies by country)
- Commercial invoice with HS codes
Customs notes: South American import rules vary sharply by country — Brazil, Argentina and Peru each have distinct vehicle homologation and licensing regimes. Unicore prepares EU export clearance in Riga and coordinates with destination brokers so cargo isn't held at arrival. For out-of-gauge units we provide lashing plans and route surveys.
Major Transport Hubs
Key Facts
- RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) suits self-propelled or wheeled units; breakbulk is for non-containerised, oversized cargo lifted by crane.
- RoRo is priced per CBM or lane metre; breakbulk is priced per freight ton (1 FT = 1 tonne or 1 m³, whichever is greater).
- Main destination ports: Santos (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Callao (Peru) and Cartagena (Colombia).
- Vehicle import homologation and licensing differ sharply by country (Brazil, Argentina, Peru).
- Sailings relay via North European RoRo/MPP hubs: Bremerhaven, Zeebrugge and Antwerp.
- Out-of-gauge units ship with a lashing plan and, where needed, a route survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What is the difference between RoRo and breakbulk?
RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) is for wheeled or tracked units that drive onto the vessel; breakbulk is for non-containerised, often oversized cargo lifted aboard by crane. We choose based on your unit's dimensions, weight and whether it's self-propelled.
Q.How long does shipping from Riga to South America take?
Typically 28–35 days by RoRo and 32–40 days by breakbulk/MPP vessel, routed via a North European hub to the main South American ports.
Related Case Study
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