HMM posted a loss for the first quarter, but a narrower one year-over-year, despite the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

The diversified South Korean shipowner stayed in the red for the first three months of 2020, reporting a KRW 65.6bn ($55m) loss on Friday, which was lower than the KRW 178.5bn loss for the same period last year.

"Despite the negative impacts led by the spread of the Covid-19, HMM's profitability has enhanced attributed to cost-savings efforts, optimal utilisation of five VLCCs and securing high-yield cargoes in addition to strong...