The National Iranian Tanker Co (NITC) is downplaying suggestions by Chinese authorities that the 164,000-dwt Sanchi (built 2008) is at risk of explosion or sinking.

In an emailed statement sent to TradeWinds early this morning, NITC managing director Siroos Kianersi said that “despite current state of the ship and the damages to hull, the possibility of sinking is low”.

Yesterday DNV GL, which classes the Sanchi, said its Emergency Response Service (ERS) has been using data on the ship to verify the strength and integrity of the hull following the collision to determine whether it was likely to sink.