Stuff has reported that a Southland man was understood to have been aboard Gulf Livestock 1 which disappeared in stormy weather in the East China Sea last week.
The ship, with a crew of 43 including two New Zealanders, went missing as Typhoon Maysak lashed the area with strong winds and heavy seas.
Three crew have been rescued, two Filipinos and a third person who later died.
The Japan coastguard said of those aboard, 39 were from the Philippines, two were from New Zealand, and two were from Australia.
The Panamanian-flagged ship was carrying 5800 cattle.
Dozens of dead cows have also been found off the East China Coast in the search area.
The ship left the Port of Napier on August 14, headed to the Port of Jingtang in Tangshan, China, and was expected to arrive 17 days after its departure.
