The Belgian owner reported a net loss of $31.0m, or $0.62 per share, for the final leg of 2012 versus $50.6m worth of red ink 12 months ago.

Its adjusted core operating profit hit the tape at $24m, a long way from the $38m consensus. 

Erik Nikolai Stavseth, an analyst at Arctic Securities, said: “Euronav Q4 does not bode well for tankers earnings season.”

Euronav