John Fredriksen has strengthened Frontline’s war chest with a $275m loan at the same time as the tanker owner netted funding for eight newbuildings.

Fredriksen’s Hemen Holding came up with the cash alongside a $328.4m cheque from China Exim Bank covering eight newbuildings.

The tycoon has made no secret of his ambitions to consolidate the tanker sector with Frontline, following its merger with Frontline 2012 last year.

Inger