Hamburg Süd has christened its newest container vessel, the 3,800 TEU Polar Mexico, at the Mexican port of Veracruz.

According to Hamburg Süd, the ship is part of a series of four in the Polar class constructed by was Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding. It is 230 metres long and 37.30 metres wide, and features 1,000 reefer plugs.

“Mexico is one of the most important economies in Latin America and an important market for Hamburg Süd,” said Arnt Vespermann [third from right in photo], CEO of Hamburg Süd. “We are proud that we are christening this vessel while the city and the port of Veracruz are celebrating their 500th anniversary.”

Hamburg Süd has been active in Mexico for about 50 years and is deploying the new vessel on the North Europe – Mexico/Caribbean Service, which connects Altamira, Veracruz and Progreso as well as other Caribbean ports with Ireland, Great Britain, Antwerp and Bremerhaven.

Other Hamburg Süd services also call at the Mexican ports of Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas.

The christening ceremony also marked the first berthing of a container vessel at the port’s new ICAVE terminal, which is scheduled to start operations shortly, according to Hamburg Süd.