Frontline chief executive Robert Hvide Macleod is bullish on prospects for 2020 despite a "horror movie" start to the year.

Speaking on a conference call with analysts, he said booming tanker rates started reversing early in 2020 due to Middle East attacks, sanctions being lifted on Cosco VLCCs, and Libyan port blockades.

"To make matters much worse, the coronavirus appeared, immediately impacting on world trade, oil demand and the freight market," he added.