An Iranian VLCC has discharged a cargo of domestic crude into Chinese storage tanks as US sanctions begin to bite.

Reuters cited Refinitiv Eikon data as showing NITC's 319,000-dwt Dune (built 2013) offloaded the 2m barrels into a bonded tank site in Dalian this week.

AIS data showed the ship anchored off the port on Wednesday.

Three more NITC VLCCs are also said to be heading to China and some of these cargoes could also be destined for storage.