China's transport ministry said in a statement that as of 6:00pm Tuesday, "no large-scale oil spills were found on the sea surface" where the search is being conducted around the stricken vessel, which continued to burn.
The oil from the tanker is condensate oil that is expected to quickly evaporate upon hitting the water, with "very little residue on the water's surface", the ministry said.
A simulation test also found that less than 1 percent of oil content would remain on the sea surface five hours after a condensate oil leak.
Thirteen search-and-rescue vessels are continuing to look for missing crew members within 900 square nautical miles of the tanker, the ministry said.
But weather conditions are unfavourable, with "overcast and rainy weather," strong winds and waves.
Of the 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis on the Sanchi's crew, only one body has so far been found.
The oil tanker was on its way to South Korea when it collided with the CF Crystal, which was transporting grain to mainland China. The Crystal's 21 Chinese crew members were all rescued.
The Sanchi belongs to the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), Iran's petroleum ministry said, and was transporting the oil to South Korea's Hanwha Total. The ship and its cargo were insured, a statement said.
This is the second accident in less than two years involving a tanker owned by the NITC.
In August 2016, an Iranian supertanker and a container ship collided in the Singapore Strait, causing damage to both vessels but no injuries or pollution.
Sources: www.shine.cn
Please Contact Us at：
admin@xindemarine.com
