Tauranga wins services

Global container line Hamburg Sud is moving major shipping services from the Ports of Auckland to the Port of Tauranga.

The sharemarket yesterday reacted positively to the news with Port of Tauranga shares closing up 14 cents to $6.35.

Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns said Hamburg Sud's decision to make Tauranga the key New Zealand port for its Trident Service was great news.

"The combination of the South bound leg now calling at Tauranga instead of Auckland, and the Trident service moving weekly, is very positive for the port and importers and exporters in the region," said Cairns.

This comes as Port of Tauranga is in merger discussions with Ports of Auckland.