# UK Vehicle Shipping Guide — Methods, Ports, Routes, and Timelines
# Source: Windward Motor Group Ltd — https://windwardmotorgroup.com/shipping
# Updated: 2026-04-21

## Overview

Windward Motor Group ships vehicles from the United Kingdom to ports in the Caribbean and Africa. We use two shipping methods: Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and Full Container Load (FCL). We work with Grimaldi Group, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, NYK, and MSC.

## Shipping Methods

### RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
The most common method. The vehicle is driven onto the ship under its own power (or towed). Vehicles are secured in multi-deck car carrier vessels.

- **Pros**: Lower cost, faster loading, suitable for standard vehicles
- **Cons**: Open exposure to sea air/salt (surface can oxidise on long voyages), no personal effects allowed in the vehicle
- **Best for**: Standard cars, SUVs, vans, pickup trucks under £35,000

### FCL (Full Container Load)
The vehicle is loaded into a 20ft or 40ft shipping container. The container is sealed and tracked from UK port to destination.

- **Pros**: Full protection from elements, personal effects allowed (up to 25% of container volume by UK export rules), extra security
- **Cons**: Higher cost (+£500–1,500 vs RoRo), slightly longer loading time
- **Best for**: Luxury vehicles, classics, modified vehicles, EVs (battery protection), high-value vehicles over £35,000

### LCL (Less than Container Load)
Your vehicle shares a container with other cargo. Used for smaller vehicles or motorcycles. Less common for standard passenger cars.

## UK Departure Ports

| Port         | Region        | Primary Routes                              |
|--------------|---------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Southampton  | South England | Caribbean, West Africa, East Africa          |
| Tilbury      | East London   | Africa (East, West, South)                   |
| Bristol      | South West    | Caribbean, West Africa                       |
| Grimsby      | East Midlands | Europe transhipment, Africa                  |
| Sheerness    | Kent          | Caribbean via Antwerp transhipment           |

## Routes and Transit Times

### Caribbean Routes

| Destination              | Port              | Transit (weeks) | Typical Vessel                   |
|--------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|----------------------------------|
| Barbados                 | Bridgetown        | 4–5             | Grimaldi direct                  |
| Trinidad & Tobago        | Point Lisas       | 4–5             | Grimaldi via Bridgetown          |
| Jamaica                  | Kingston          | 4–5             | Via Miami/Freeport tranship      |
| Antigua                  | St. John's        | 4–5             | Grimaldi direct or via Barbados  |
| Guyana                   | Georgetown        | 5–6             | Via Trinidad tranship            |
| Belize                   | Belize City       | 5–6             | Via Miami or Freeport            |
| Cayman Islands           | Georgetown        | 5–6             | Via Kingston                     |
| Bahamas                  | Nassau/Freeport   | 4–5             | Via Miami                        |
| BVI                      | Road Town         | 5–6             | Via Puerto Rico or Barbados      |
| Suriname                 | Paramaribo        | 5–6             | Via Trinidad                     |
| Other OECS islands       | Various           | 5–7             | Via Barbados tranship            |

### East Africa Routes

| Destination              | Port              | Transit (weeks) | Notes                            |
|--------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|----------------------------------|
| Kenya                    | Mombasa           | 4–6             | Via Suez Canal                   |
| Tanzania                 | Dar es Salaam     | 5–6             | Via Suez Canal                   |
| Uganda                   | Kampala           | 6–8             | Via Mombasa, road inland         |
| Rwanda                   | Kigali            | 7–9             | Via Mombasa or Dar, road inland  |

### Southern Africa Routes

| Destination              | Port              | Transit (weeks) | Notes                            |
|--------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|----------------------------------|
| South Africa             | Durban            | 4–5             | Direct via Cape                  |
| Zimbabwe                 | Beitbridge        | 5–7             | Via Durban, road inland          |
| Zambia                   | Lusaka            | 6–8             | Via Durban or Dar                |
| Botswana                 | Gaborone          | 5–7             | Via Durban                       |
| Namibia                  | Walvis Bay        | 4–5             | Direct                           |
| Malawi                   | Blantyre          | 6–8             | Via Beira or Durban              |
| Mozambique               | Maputo/Beira      | 5–6             | Direct or via Durban             |
| Lesotho                  | Maseru            | 5–7             | Via Durban                       |
| Eswatini                 | Mbabane           | 5–7             | Via Durban                       |

### West Africa Routes

| Destination              | Port              | Transit (weeks) | Notes                            |
|--------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|----------------------------------|
| Ghana                    | Tema              | 3–4             | Direct                           |
| Nigeria                  | Apapa, Lagos      | 3–4             | Direct via Atlantic              |
| Ivory Coast              | Abidjan           | 3–4             | West Africa loop                 |
| Senegal                  | Dakar             | 2–3             | Closest West Africa to UK        |

### Island Africa Routes

| Destination              | Port              | Transit (weeks) | Notes                            |
|--------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|----------------------------------|
| Mauritius                | Port Louis        | 5–7             | Via Suez or Cape                 |
| Seychelles               | Victoria          | 6–8             | Via Mombasa                      |

## Marine Cargo Insurance

All vehicles are insured under our open marine cargo policy during transit. Coverage includes:
- All Risks (Institute Cargo Clauses A): comprehensive cover for loss or damage during loading, transit, and discharge
- Sum insured: full agreed vehicle value (from sale agreement)
- Deductible: typically £200–500 depending on vehicle value
- Claims: handled by us in the UK on your behalf

## Documentation Provided

After shipping:
- Original Bill of Lading (3 originals)
- Commercial Invoice (export value)
- Packing List
- Export Certificate (DVLA-issued)
- Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PVOC where applicable)
- Marine Insurance Certificate
- V5C copy

Your destination clearing agent uses these documents to import the vehicle.

More: https://windwardmotorgroup.com/shipping