Maritime New Zealand found no issues with the livestock ship, Gulf Livestock 1, before it left the port of Napier last month.
Gulf Livestock 1 vessel off the shores of Malaga in 2018. Photo: Frans Truyens via Vessel Finder
It went missing in a typhoon south of Japan earlier this week and is believed to have capsized after engine failure. So far only two survivors have been found.
The ship with 43 crew and nearly 6000 cattle on board sailed from Napier on 14 August bound for China.
Maritime New Zealand said the vessel was checked on arrival and prior to departure from Napier, and no irregularities were found.
The marine regulator said livestock carriers were checked for stability and the conditions of the livestock pens.
Meanwhile, animal activist group SAFE is calling for the minister of agriculture Damien O'Connor to be held to account over the sinking of Gulf Livestock 1.
So far, O'Connor has declined all media requests on the issues.
Yesterday, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) temporarily suspended consideration of cattle livestock export applications.