This issue of the FAL Bulletin provides information on trends in current maritime transport and their implications for Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as some consequences for the ports in the region. This article updates some of the information contained in Recursos naturales e infraestructura series, No. 82 (ECLAC). This issue is based on a paper prepared by Ricardo J. Sánchez, Division of Natural Resources and Infrastructure, with the collaboration of Myriam Echeverría, Division of International Trade and Integration.