Containerization, telecommunication, globalization and privatization are among the most important recent trends that have affected shipping. Concentration is another trend which is expected to have a major impact. This refers to the increasing control in the hands of a small number of companies who hold an increasing market share. Although at first this process may be associated with dominant positions and abuse of monopoly power, in reality, the advantages for the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean should by far outweigh the disadvantages. This edition of the FAL Bulletin presents some of the findings of a recent study prepared by the ECLAC Transport Unit, entitled, Concentration in liner shipping - its causes and impacts for ports and shipping services in developing regions, LC/G.2027 , August 1998.