The "Monte Cervantes", the first newbuilding of six identical 5,552 TEU container ships, has been christened at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. in Geoje City, Korea. The sponsor is Tatjana von Luttitz, wife of Markus von Luttitz, a grandson of Rudolf August Oetker.

Following delivery by the yard, the "Monte Cervantes" will be embarking on a charter of several months for the French shipping company CMA/CGM before being integrated into Hamburg Süd's own services. The sister ships, "Monte Olivia", "Monte Pascoal", "Monte Rosa", "Monte Sarmiento" and "Monte Verde" will be delivered in succession until autumn 2005.

Technical data of the "Monte Cervantes":

Capacity 64,730 tdw
Container capacity 5,552 TEU
Reefer container plugs 1,365
Overall length 272.00 m
Width 40.00 m
Draught max. 12.50 m
Speed 23.3 kn