UPDATED 12.11pm A shipping container with 60 drums chemical is leaking at the Port of Napier.

Fire Service central communications shift manager Craig Dally said the port was under cordon as they dealt with the emergency.

The container holds the chemical methyl ethyl ketone which is a strong chemical solvent which was deemed to be flammable.

Port chief executive Garth Cowie says an ambulance has also been called, but nobody has been in any danger.

"Staff noticed a container leaking and put in place the appropriate response, that includes exclusion zones and notifying the appropriate authorities."

Mr Cowie said there needs to be an investigation into why the leak happened.

The Fire Service is yet to open the container to see what's gone on.

People in the immediate area were being evacuated as a precaution.