Car carrier terminals are vital to the global automotive supply chain, facilitating the efficient transport of vehicles from factories to markets worldwide. These terminals manage extensive storage yards, provide services like inspections, repairs, cleaning, and accessory installation, and employ skilled teams of drivers, technicians, and logistics professionals. Below is an overview of the world's top car carrier terminals, highlighting their capacities, operations, and strategic importance.

1. Shanghai Haitong Terminal, China

Located in Shanghai's Waigaoqiao Port Area, the Haitong Terminal is China's largest vehicle roll-on/roll-off (RORO) facility. In 2024, it handled over 1.29 million vehicle exports, contributing to the port's total of 3.63 million vehicles. Positioned at the Yangtze River's mouth, it supports river-sea transport, enabling efficient vehicle exports from manufacturers along the river. The terminal connects to over 200 ports across 100 countries, with two to three vessels departing daily. Its advanced automation supports China's growing auto exports, particularly electric vehicles, in collaboration with major automakers like SAIC Motor.

2. Bremerhaven AutoTerminal, Germany

The AutoTerminal at the Port of Bremerhaven processes over 1.3 million vehicles annually and can store between 70,000 and 120,000 cars in multi-storey parking facilities. Managed by BLG Logistics, it features nine berths for car carriers and 16 rail ramps for inland transport. The terminal includes Europe's largest automotive workshop, offering repairs, underbody coating, and equipment installation. Its strategic location ensures excellent road and rail connections, making it a key European hub for automotive logistics.

3. Antwerp-Bruges Port, Belgium

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, incorporating facilities from the former Port of Zeebrugge, handles over 3.56 million vehicles yearly. Terminals operated by International Car Operators (ICO) and Wallenius Wilhelmsen manage around 2.5 million vehicles annually. Spanning 974 hectares, the port can store 365,200 vehicles in open lots and multi-level garages. Its extensive infrastructure supports its role as a critical link in the global automotive supply chain.

4. Colonel's Island Terminal, Port of Brunswick, USA

The Colonel's Island Terminal at the Port of Brunswick is North America's leading RORO cargo hub, surpassing the Port of Baltimore in 2024 due to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. This 1700-acre facility, with three RORO berths and over 637 acres of paved storage, handles more than 1.4 million vehicles and machinery units annually. Its Atlantic coast location, with access to major highways and two Class I railroads, ensures efficient distribution across the southeastern and midwestern USA. The terminal also offers services like vehicle accessorization and washing.

5. Los Angeles Automobile Terminal, USA

Operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen at Berths 195-199 in Wilmington, California, the Port of Los Angeles Automobile Terminal spans 85 acres and can store up to 8,000 vehicles. With over 2250 feet of berth length for RORO vessels, it serves as a major gateway for vehicle imports from South Korea and Japan and exports of US-manufactured vehicles. In 2024, it handled 142,504 automobile units. The terminal's rail yard connects to the national rail network, enhancing distribution efficiency.

6. Rotterdam Port, Netherlands

The Rotterdam Port's Brittanniëhaven terminal, located in the Botlek area, is designed for RORO cargo and can store up to 95,000 vehicles. Operated by companies like CLdN, it offers vehicle inspections and part assembly. Its deep berths and barge services, combined with rail and inland waterway connections, facilitate vehicle distribution to countries like Germany, Italy, and Poland, making it a vital European logistics hub.

7. Ulsan Port, South Korea

The Port of Ulsan's automobile pier, operated by Hyundai Motor Company, supports the world's largest single automobile manufacturing complex. Covering 5 million square meters, it produces over 1.5 million vehicles annually. The 830-meter pier can berth three 40,000 DWT ships and store 10,000 vehicles for export. Handling 1.1 to 1.2 million vehicles yearly, it serves markets in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

8. Jebel Ali Port, UAE

Managed by DP World, the Jebel Ali Port in Dubai is a leading automotive hub in the Middle East, handling 960,000 vehicles in 2024 and 545,000 in the first half of 2025. Its 800-meter quay at Terminal 4 accommodates three large RORO ships, supporting quick turnaround times. The port, storing up to 75,000 cars, facilitates re-exports from Asia to the Gulf, Africa, and CIS regions, with 65% of its volume from countries like China and Japan.

9. Singapore Port, Singapore

The Port of Singapore, renowned for container transhipment, also excels in automotive logistics through the Pasir Panjang Automobile Terminal (PPAT) and Sembawang Wharves. Operated by PSA Corporation Limited, these facilities handle approximately 1.1 million vehicles annually. With three RORO berths over 1000 meters and storage for 20,000 cars, the port supports transhipment to Europe, Africa, Oceania, and the Middle East.

10. Piraeus Port, Greece

The Port of Piraeus, Greece's largest port, is a key vehicle logistics node in the eastern Mediterranean. The G2 Terminal, with a 145,000-square-meter area, can store 7,000 vehicles, while the port's total capacity is 120,000 vehicles. Handling over 260,000 vehicles annually, with a transhipment capacity of 670,000 units, it supports medium to large Pure Car Carriers. Recent investments in EV chargers enhance its role in handling electric vehicle exports from China to Europe.

Additional Resource Marine Insight.