Ricardo J  Sánchez is an economist and internationally recognised expert in shipping and port economics, as well as in transport and infrastructure. His passion and expertise lie on the region of Latin America and the Caribbean. In fact, he has worked either professionally or academically in 28 out of the 33 countries of this region during the last 30 years, as well as in Europe and Asia. He is currently the Principal Economist of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean for Infrastructure and Ports.

His main research interests are shipping and port economics, including the maritime cycle, port devolution, national maritime policies and industrial organization applied to shipping markets. He holds more than 170 publications among books, chapters in books, peer reviewed articles, working papers, etc.