Dubai shipowner Gulf Navigation is urging South China Sea nations to search uninhabited islands in a bid to find 40 seafarers missing after the sinking of a livestock carrier.

The Gulf Livestock 1 capsized and sank in Typhoon Maysak on 2 September off Japan, after losing power. Three men were rescued, but one later died.

The shipowner, together with the vessel's unnamed manager and manning agent, said local coastguards and governments needed to pitch in with help.