John Fredriksen’s Frontline struck a more positive chord on the depressed tanker market as it reported a smaller than expected second quarter loss.

Frontline points to demolition potentially bringing negative VLCC fleet growth in 2018 while the dynamics of the oil market are also offering encouragement.

Robert Hvide Macleod, chief executive of Frontline Management said: "Despite the current weak rate environment, we believe cyclical changes are underway and as a result we are more optimistic on...