In accordance with the method and apparatus of the invention for loading cargo, palletized cargo is pushed off of a pallet as a unit and onto a slinger platform. The slinger platform has a base divided into two platform areas with transverse slots containing cargo slings. The cargo slings are thereafter attached to a hoisting bridle of a crane or the ship's gear, and the loads, supported by the cargo slings, are lifted simultaneously off of the slinger platform and into the ship's hold, where they are landed on a platform or received directly by forklifts for stowage. The cargo slings are unhooked on one side of the load and withdrawn from under the load by the hoisting gear and returned to the dock to repeat the process. Modifications may be made whereby 4, 6, 8 or 10 pallet loads may be lifted simultaneously.
