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The Lighter Aboard Ship (LASH) system refers to the practice of loading barges (lighters) aboard a larger vessel for transport. The host vessel is normally purpose-built or modified with a door at the waterline, to allow the payloads to be loaded and unloaded without special lifting equipment. An example would be the LASH Turkiye, built at Avondale Shipyard for Prudential Grace Lines of New York City. She was the second LASH built for them, followed by the Espana, Atlantico, and the Pacifico. LASH barges are loaded at Inland River and shallow ports. Then, the barges are towed to ocean port's fleeting areas to meet the LASH mother vessel. On arrival, the mother vessel crane lifts the LASH barges onto the ships. LASH cargo does not require transshipment, as the movement from the origin to destination takes place with a single bill of loading. (source: Wikipedia) more pictures...