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.