<p>Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns has welcomed the decision of CMA CGM to relocate its New Europe Mascarene Oceania (Nemo) service from Ports of Auckland to the Port of Tauranga.</p> <p>"CMA CGM has recognised the Port of Tauranga as a major North Island distribution hub, serving the Auckland market through a unique rail partnership with a rail linked inland terminal [MetroPort Auckland] in the centre of Auckland’s manufacturing and distribution centres," Mr Cairns said on Friday (February 8).</p> <p>"This new service will commence next month and add an additional 52 vessel calls per annum."</p> <p>The move follows that of Hamburg Sd last year, as the port looked to counter the earlier loss of Maersk Line to Ports of Auckland, itself the recent recipient of Gold Star Line’s transtasman service.</p> <br />