Abstract: A method for rapid depalletizing and lifting of stacks of cartons aboard vessels is provided which may include sliding the stacks of cartons from a pallet onto a transport surface at a loading end, moving the stack of cartons along the transport surface to a lifting station having fork channels extending across the lifting station for receiving the blades of a load push lift truck, and lifting the stack of cartons from the lifting station. The transport surface may comprise a plurality of rollers. The stack of cartons may be lifted by cargo slings into the hold of a ship, or lifted from the lifting end on the blades of a load push lift truck. The pallet may be retained on the blades of a load push lift truck while the stack of cartons carried by the pallet is pushed from the pallet by a restraint. The empty pallet may then be carried to and deposited in a pallet accumulation location by the lift truck.