Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) CONTAINER SHIPPING +8 BY SEA

I did not like the expense of a Container. Nor did I trust the Dock Crew that would build the cribbage. I chose a Roll On Roll Off ship from Tacoma, Washington to Southampton and from Southampton to New Jersey. I watch Roll On Roll Off ships come and go in from of My home in Seattle, Washington. There are a lot of them. Do think Insurance if the ship sinks (grin). The Shipping Insurance has such a large minimum damage amount it is rather a joke. No damage, just a flat tire in Southampton.

That's interesting, Button, that you prefer the Ro-Ro. I'd heard a load of horror stories of convertible cars on Ro-Ro ships - not only are they not well protected from the elements, but they're fundamentally insecure on the cargo decks form the perspective of things (especially any spare parts or removable items) travelling with the car. One acquaintance shipped, iirc, a Spitfire on a RoRo Southampton-Halifax and the car was in a terrible state when it landed - damp sea air and careless crew members had done it absolutely no favours. I'd rather take the financial hit on a container, for the sake of peace of mind...

I also heard a few horror stories. But mostly about Containers. About 8 Pacific NW Morgan Owners made two trips to New Zealand using Container Ships. But there no good Roll On Roll Off Service between Vancouver, BC/Seattle and New Zealand. However between China, Japan, UK and Europe I must see two or more a week go by My House carrying Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Honda whatever. From Europe to the U.S. Walengus has a regular scheduled service. That is what I used. It really worked quite well and I did not have to worry about cribbing. I did explore containers as there was an SS Owner who went to Europe but wanted a Container. I just could not get it together and although He and His Wife went the SS did not. Another interesting issue was I wanted to go to Northern France. The Shipping Consolidator said "NO WAY" France is a nightmare. You will go to Southampton and take a Ferry to Northern France. That is what We did. We flew out of Paris both ways and took the Chunnel/Rail to Southampton. Our Morgan Friends in the UK. France and Holland made it work glass smooth.

Using container as the car has no roof or sidescreens just the tonneau. And no fixings for either. Been like this since 1987.

FWIW, I personally imported my new 2003 Plus 8 into USA back in early 2004 using a ro-ro service (along with a bunch of new Volvos and an old London taxi).

No issues with theft or damage but make sure you have insurance (and can pick it up quickly at the port on arrival)

Earlier at the factory they had specifically asked me if I wanted the airbags activated..........because if you use a containerized service instead the containers often get dropped hard enough to deploy the airbags !!!!