Bulk cargo ship with container space - has guide rails from hatch to hold retractable with intermediate decks

The piece or bulk cargo vessel adapted to carry containers has guide bars (, 8) mounted on vertical hinges from supporting pillars (4, 5) for the retractable intermediate deck units (1, 2). Further bars (6) hung from additional pillars (3, 19) secured to the hatch coamings provide continuous guidance for containers during embarkation, disembarcation. During passage horizontal movement is prevented. Locking pins hold the bars in working postions. Supporting pillars have catches (12, 17, 18) at the foot and are hinged at the top for close stowage under the deck units when these are housed against the bulkheads for bulk cargo carriage. The housing process is co-ordinated for groups of units using a rope (11) and pulley (13, 14, 15, 16, 20) system.