Every marine or offshore operator who needs to move heavy structures, equipment, or vessels knows that choosing the right loading and transport method can make or break a job. Two of the most effective methods, Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) and Float-On/Float-Off (FoFo), depend not just on procedural know-how, but on having the right infrastructure, lifting gear, and marine support. At LAD Services, we pride ourselves on mastering both RoRo and FoFo solutions, so that clients can rest assured their specialty projects will be executed safely, efficiently, and reliably.
RoRo operations involve driving or rolling cargo, whether barges, modules, or vehicles, directly onto or off of a transport vessel or barge via ramps or skids. Because the cargo remains on wheels, skids, or self-propelled systems, the stresses on lifting machinery are reduced, but the alignment, ramp design, and structural capacity must be precise. A misalignment by even a few inches, insufficient ramp strength, or a weak interface can lead to damaging loads or stuck equipment. Recognizing this, LAD Services invests in engineered ramp systems, heavy skids, and load transfer gear that precisely match project loads and geometries.
FoFo, on the other hand, involves floating the cargo or vessel over or adjacent to a transport barge (often by ballasting or flooding a dock or pontoon) and then deballasting so the cargo settles onto the barge deck or support frame. It’s a powerful method for very large, heavy, or awkward loads, when rolling isn’t feasible or safe, but it demands tight control over buoyancy, trim, stability, structural load paths, and ballast operations. If the support deck is under-designed, or ballast is uneven, a heavy structure could settle incorrectly, shifting loads, damaging internals, or even compromising stability.
To execute either method properly, you need not just conceptual knowledge but heavy infrastructure: robust cradles, precise alignment systems, ballast control systems, strong deck plating, and skilled marine and structural engineers. That’s where LAD Services steps in. At our Berwick facility, for instance, we have a 4,000-ton drydock (220’ × 85’) and 3,300 ft of waterfront bulkhead with 28 ft of water depth for deep marine work. We complement this with multiple heavy cranes, such as a 230-ton Manitowoc, a 150-ton Manitowoc, and a 150-ton Link Belt, to assist with the heaviest lifts. These assets, combined with our expertise, allow us to manage even the most demanding RoRo or FoFo operations.
Our facilities beyond Berwick are also equipped to support these specialty tasks. In Stephensville, our fabrication shops include large overhead cranes, cutting tables, bending equipment, and plate processing capacity. That means we can prep, align, and fabricate interfaces locally to exact tolerances.Meanwhile, our Amelia yard features two slits for top-side repair and work opportunities directly from the water.
By combining engineering, marine logistics, structural design, and heavy gear, LAD is capable of delivering both RoRo and FoFo solutions to clients engaged in marine construction, offshore energy, large module transport, or special heavy projects. We don’t just apply one standard method to every job, we tailor the solution to the load, vessel geometry, environmental constraints, and risk profile of the project.
Time and again, having the right equipment for the right job avoids costly surprises: misaligned loads, structural damage, delays during load transfers, or safety risks in marine conditions. A client trying to force a RoRo operation without proper skidding systems might get stuck midway; another trying FoFo with undersized deck strength might damage the cargo support frames. LAD’s approach ensures that load paths, supports, alignment jigs, ballast systems, and marine infrastructure all work together rather than against each other.
In the Gulf region’s challenging marine environment, strong currents, variable tides, storm risk, and saltwater corrosion, there’s little room for error. That’s why clients choose LAD Services: because we bring not just experience in marine repair and fabrication, but a full suite of specialty project capability. We’ve handled unique and demanding assignments such as rocket recovery support, barge conversions, salvage operations, and structural fabrication beyond standard jobs.
Whether your project requires you to roll modules onto a barge or float them on with precision, LAD’s infrastructure, engineering team, and heavy gear enable seamless execution. Having the right equipment for RoRo or FoFo isn’t a side note, it’s mission critical. If you have a special loading, transport, or marine subsea challenge, LAD Services is ready to design, fabricate, and execute the solution. Let us help you move safely and confidently.