A tanker carrying Iranian oil and managed by the Iran’s biggest oil shipping company burst into flames and spilled its cargo into the sea after colliding with a Chinese freight ship on Sunday 7 January.

The Sanchi tanker is run by National Iranian Tanker Company, a subsidiary of National Iranian Oil Company, which was privatised in 2009.

The tanker was sailing from Iran to South Korea with 136,000 tonnes of condensate, an ultra light crude.

Its cargo is estimated to have been worth about $60m, based on global crude oil prices.

The tanker’s 32 crew members are missing.

The Sanchi tanker was due to arrive at Daesan in South Korea from Kharg Island in Iran on Sunday, according to Reuters ship tracking.