Shared Container Shipping Guide 2026: Groupage and R-Rak

Shared container shipping (also called groupage, consolidation or R-Rak shipping) puts two to four vehicles inside a single 40ft container, splitting the cost between consignees. The vehicles travel inside a sealed steel box just like sole-use container, but the ocean freight bill is shared.

This is the sweet spot for customers who want container-grade protection but RoRo-level pricing. It is also the only practical option for some destinations where RoRo service is irregular but container sailings are weekly.

An R-Rak is a folding steel frame that mounts inside a 40ft container. The first car drives in and parks; the R-Rak is positioned over it; the second car is winched onto the upper deck. The lower car carries no weight. Result: two cars in one 40ft container, with no contact between them.

For three or four-car loads we use a combination of R-Rak frames and floor positions, typically saloons below and hatchbacks above. Loading is supervised by experienced lashing teams to keep CG within IMO limits.

Indicative per-vehicle pricing, port-to-port:

- UK → UAE (Jebel Ali): from £1,150
• UK → Australia (Sydney): from £2,150
• UK → Canada (Toronto via Halifax): from £1,650
• UK → New Zealand (Auckland): from £2,350
• UK → Cyprus (Limassol): from £950
• UK → South Africa (Durban): from £1,495

This is typically 35–55% cheaper than sole-use container and 15–30% more than RoRo on the same lane.

- You want container protection without paying for a full 20ft.
• The destination has no reliable RoRo service.
• You are shipping a saloon, hatchback or small SUV that fits comfortably in a shared bay.
• Your timeline is flexible — shared containers sail when full, usually within 7–10 days of booking.
• You want a sealed, unopened container at the destination port.

1. Booking confirmed — vehicle collected and warehoused at our UK consolidation yard.
2. Cargo matched with one to three other vehicles for the same destination.
3. Container stuffed and sealed within 7–10 days of arrival at the yard.
4. Container moves to Felixstowe or London Gateway for the next available sailing.
5. Bill of Lading issued; transit follows the standard container schedule for that lane.
6. On arrival the container is destuffed at a CFS (container freight station) and vehicles released to consignees.

Strong shared container lanes from the UK include shared container to UAE, Australia, Cyprus, Malta, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the wider EU. See regional guides: Europe, Middle East, Africa and USA and Australia.

We confirm cost, ETA and the cut-off date for the next consolidation. Call or WhatsApp +44 (0)1495 320540, email info@shipcarsroro.co.uk or request a written quote.

Before any international shipment, vehicles need to reach the loading port — and many customers ask us to handle the UK leg too. Our recovery and transport network covers every postcode, 24 hours a day.

Start with the main hubs: Car Recovery UK, Vehicle Recovery UK, 24/7 Breakdown Recovery and Nationwide Vehicle Transportation.

City coverage includes London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield and Bristol.

Pre-book a port run on a flatbed transporter from Southampton, Portsmouth, Liverpool or Felixstowe via Ipswich, or call 24/7 for breakdown recovery in London, Birmingham or Manchester.