Abstract: A method for rapid loading of stacks of cartons aboard vessels is provided which may include sliding the stacks of cartons from a pallet onto a carrier having fork channels for receiving the blades of a load push lift truck, lifting the carrier into the hold of a ship, removing the stacks of cartons from the carrier using a second load push lift truck and stowing the stack of cartons in a stowage location using the second load push lift truck. The carrier may be used to insert slings about palletless stacks of cartons positioned thereon and the stack of cartons may be moved into the hold of the ship by the ship's gear or other crane. The slings may be withdrawn from about the stack of cartons by releasing one end of the slings and using, for example, the ship's gear to draw the other slings out from around the stack of cartons.

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.

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.