The John Fredriksen-controlled tanker company said it had entered into a private agreement with bondholders to exchange some of the 4.5% convertible notes for 7.4m shares at a price of $1.61 each.

This was the closing price in New York on 24 October.

The deal also includes a cash payment of $10m plus interest.

Frontline has also agreed to issue another 800,000 shares if the five-day price is lower than the exchange price by 3 November.

Frontline