A sea faring transshipper for transferring cargo from a bulk carrier to a
secondary vessel comprises a pair of units provided with mutually engaging
connectors for connecting the units together along a direction of travel
of the transshipper. Each unit comprises a pair of spaced buoyant vessels,
a platform supported by the buoyant vessels in a raised position above the
buoyant vessels through wall members extending upwardly from the buoyant
vessels and a hull contacting member extending between the buoyant vessels
for contacting the underside of a bulk carrier being unloaded. The
platform, wall members and hull contacting member define an opening for
surrounding the bulk carrier being unloaded. The transshipper also
includes a ballasting system for maintaining the hull contacting member in
contact with the hull of the bulk carrier being unloaded. A method of
unloading cargo from a bulk carrier using the transshipper is also
provided.