Mixed cargoes barge or carrier

Abstract

The present invention describes mixed cargoes barges or carriers (100,100a,200,300,400,500) for carrying bulk cargoes (BC), shipping containers (132, 134), IMO tanks, general cargoes and fluid cargoes. The bulk cargoes and shipping containers can be transported on load-plates (110,110L,110R,110a-110f,210,210L,210R) that are configured pivotably on a deck (108, 208) or in a hull (103), whilst fluid cargoes are stored in storage tanks (130,230) located below the deck or in the hull (103). The bulk cargoes can be discharged by tilting the load-plate or loading the bulk cargoes on tilted load-plates, so that the bulk cargoes fall onto an adjacent conveyor (150,250). When a load plate or a segmented load-plate is emptied of bulk cargoes, the empty load space can then be utilized to carry shipping containers, IMO tanks or general cargoes. Various ways of folding and stowing away the segmented load-plates to free up loading spaces for mixed cargoes.

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         12 . A method of transporting mixed cargoes on a mixed cargoes barge or carrier the method comprising:
 loading a load plate or a segmented load plate separately with bulk cargoes, a shipping container, an IMO tank or general cargoes;   the mixed cargoes barge or carrier allows transport of mixed cargoes:   bulk cargoes that are loaded onto the load plate or the segmented load plate which is operable to be tilted inwardly to an adjacent conveyor;   shipping containers or IMO tanks that are loaded and secured on container mounting rails mounted on the load plate, the segmented load plate, on the hull or on the deck of the hull;   general cargoes located in the hull or on the deck;   wherein the load plate or a segmented load plate has been used for transporting shipping containers, IMO tanks, bulk cargoes or general cargoes and when a load space is emptied, the load space is then used to transport other shipping containers, IMO tanks, bulk cargoes or general cargoes, so that different types of cargoes and goods can be transported together, thereby substantially maximizing utility of the mixed cargoes barge or carrier.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the load plate or the segmented load plate located on each side of the conveyor are operable to tilt inwardly before bulk cargoes is loaded thereon. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein tilting of the load plate or the segmented load plate is controllably operable by actuators located along an inner edge of the load plate or the segmented load plate adjacent to the conveyor. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising operating the actuators on the load plate or the segmented load plate or hoisting to tilt the load plate or the segmented load plate after part of the bulk cargoes has been discharged. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein tilting of the load plate or the segmented load plate are mechanically guided by pillars, with hoists on the pillars being operated to tilt the load plate or the segmented load plate and locking pins are used to locate and secure the tilted load plate or tilted segmented load plate at the desired angle of inclination, prior to loading of the bulk cargoes. 
     
     
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         18 . A method of transporting bulk cargoes on a mixed cargoes barge or carrier, comprising:
 transporting a bulk cargo in a hull or in a compartment in the hull of the barge or carrier during a trip; and   transporting another bulk cargo in the hull or in the compartment in the hull after deploying segmented load plates in the hull or in the compartment to contain the another bulk cargo during a subsequent trip, so as to minimize cross-contamination.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 Carrying fluid or flowable cargoes in storage tanks located in a hull of the mixed cargoes barge or carrier, or in IMO tanks secured to a deck of the hull.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein each load plate in segmented in a direction along the conveyor or transverse to the conveyor, with adjacent segments being pivotable, so as to provide various ways of folding and unfolding the segmented load plate, thus providing various loading spaces in the hull to transport mixed cargoes. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein adjacent segmented load plates are pivotable, so as to provide various ways of folding and unfolding the segmented load plates, thus providing various loading spaces in the hull to transport mixed cargoes.