The fire that broke out on a container ship in the Port of Tauranga early this morning is believed to be out.

Fire Northern Communications shift manager Colin Underdown says firefighters were initially unsure if the fire had been extinguished by the Kokopo Chief's CO2 suppression system after escalating temperatures set it off.

'We've opened one of the hatches, and the fire appears to have been in the top level, closest to the wharf,” he says.

'However, there is no fire at present.”

Sixteen fire trucks from Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Rotorua and Hamilton remain at the scene. More than 70 firefighters responded to the initial call, and Colin says most of them are still on site.

'The cover and lifting device of the hatch has been damaged for the heat of the fire, and now we're liaising with the crew about how best to remove that damaged timber.”