Abstract: A transport unit for transporting cargo, which cargo is a car, a car body or other cargo. A transport unit comprises a lift and transfer apparatus, which is placed inside said transport unit, arranged during the loading of the transport unit to extend outside the transport unit, to grip to a transfer platform, on top of which the cargo is placed, to lift said transfer platform that is outside the transport unit inside the transport unit, and to transfer the transfer platform to its place in the transport unit, as well as during the unloading of the transport unit to transfer the transfer platform outside the transport unit. In an embodiment the transport unit is a cargo container, and a trailer is used for transport in an embodiment. The system utilizing cargo containers enables transporting cars from the assembly plant directly to the retail dealer.

Abstract: A cargo ship for transporting wheeled vehicles and cargo units simultaneously has a hull with a bottom structure and a cargo space defined within the hull. The cargo space has at least first and second cargo sections. The first cargo section has a space grillage structure that is self-supporting and flexibly mounted to the hull of the ship so as to diminish the transmission of hull deformation loads to the space grillage structure. The second cargo section is located below the first cargo section and has cargo holds for containing heavy-weight cargo to provide ballast for the ship.