Shipping or ferrying your vehicle is an expensive but sometimes necessary part of getting to where you need or want to be. Nomads who travel extensively will sometimes ship their van numerous times. Shipping is usually only necessary for routes over water since it's almost always cheaper and faster to drive a vehicle than to pay to have it shipped. The vehicle will either be shipped inside a standard container or by a ferry or "roll-on/roll-off" ship. Your budget and your travel itinerary might determine which option works for you.
If your vehicle is mechanically disabled or you can't get to where it is, sometimes shipping over land is necessary. In that case, a flat-bed truck or towing is usually needed.
Depending on how long you are staying in the destination, it might be cheaper to leave your vehicle where it is and then rent a vehicle at your destination. For long stays, it may be cheaper to buy a vehicle and resell it before you leave.
Shipping containers
For long distances, one option is to ship your vehicle inside a standard shipping container — unless you have a large vehicle that won't fit. At the port or shipping depot, an employee will drive your vehicle into the container and secure it to prevent rolling and tipping. The container is then transported to the ship and placed with all other cargo. There are usually two or three vehicles in each container.
In most cases, your vehicle will have to be prepped for shipping, which includes emptying the fuel tank to near-empty for safety. Winterizing your vehicle may be necessary also.
Roll-on / Roll-off ships
"Roll-on / Roll-off" ships, often called RORO or ro-ro, are cargo ships or ferries that are purpose-built for transporting vehicles. Vehicles are driven onto and off of the ship. This is the only option for large vehicles that won't fit in a shipping container.
Ferries are often the only option for shipping vehicles to small ports, such as islands or low-population areas, and for short distances or low-traffic routes.
Shipping brokers
You may want to pay a broker to handle the details of your shipment. This can ensure that nothing gets missed, such as important communications, documents, or payments.