A Delta Tankers suezmax closely matches the description of a ship that Brazilian police said was the source of a huge oil spill off the country's northeastern coast in September, data analysed by TradeWinds shows.

However, the Greek shipowner said the voyage of the 164,000-dwt Bouboulina (built 2006) involved no fuel or cargo shortage.

The comment came after Brazilian Federal Police said on Friday that they have identified a Greek-controlled vessel as the source of the spill, though they did not name the company involved.