Solid formations of non-volatile bituminous materials suitable for reducing carbon dioxide emissions during transport

A method for transporting non-volatile bituminous materials from a first location to a second location involves transporting a plurality of irregular bricks formed from the bituminous material in transport chambers carried by vehicles. The bricks are formed by a plurality of non-planar surfaces, which create spaces between adjacent bricks, and may further include polymer skeletons and other features that help them float. Bricks can be moved by land, sea, air, or rail and do not need to be heated during transit. Transport chambers have active or, preferably, passive environmental control systems to circulate cooling air, water, or other substances throughout the chamber and the spaces between adjacent bricks. In a preferred embodiment, ambient air circulates among the bricks during land transport, and ambient water circulates among the bricks during sea transport. The vehicles carrying the transport chambers can be low-emission or zero-emission vehicles, including trains and ships powered by fuel cells.