Chemical smell at Port of Tauranga, at least one worker taken to hospital

A strong chemical smell at the Port of Tauranga has led to at least one worker being taken to hospital.

Workers detected a sickening chemical smell early on Tuesday morning.

The workers were loading logs for export at the southern end of the Mt Maunganui wharves, a spokesperson for the port said.

At least one worker was taken to hospital as a precaution.

The smell, which had dissipated, did not come from the logs and Fire and Emergency (FENZ) has left the scene, the port spokeperson said. Standard procedures kicked in and there were no disruptions to shipping movements.

Operations had resumed at the port had resumed.

FENZ said it was alerted to the chemical smell at 2.40am. A spokesperson said three fire trucks and one hazardous substance team were at the port.

FENZ was working with Bay of Plenty Regional Council's pollution team and port staff to ascertain the cause of the smell, the spokesperson said.