An introduction will be made to the transportation env ironment characteristics of the upper-stream of Yangtze River (USYR), and the evolution and present status of the roll-on and roll off shipment (Ro-Ro shipment) in Yangtze River. Then five indicators are proposed to evaluate the contributions of Ro-Ro shipments in the upper-stream Yangtze River to regional social-economic developments. Calculating models for saving transport cost and en ergy will be built. Results based on the data in 2005 show that Ro-Ro shipment is a better alternative for truck transport in USYR, and it can make large contributions to both the environmental and social-economic development in the area. Both the governmen tand related enterprises should make more efforts to promote the development of the RRS of the USYR.