ABG Sundal Collier has hiked its VLCC rate forecasts for the next two years in a market where it says triggers are ever-present.

Analysts Lukas Daul and Dennis Anghelopoulos boosted their view for both 2019 and 2020 while projecting a 17% raise in asset prices as earnings climb.

The analysts say the balance of the VLCC market has significantly improved, leading it to forecast rates above the prevailing consensus view.