Euronav boss Hugo de Stoop believes his company has to keep on transporting oil, despite opposition from its largest shareholder.

Belgium’s Saverys family is opposing Euronav’s proposed combination with John Fredriksen’s Frontline.

Last year, the clan suggested an alternative plan to merge the Belgian tanker owner with its CMB.Tech clean shipping operation.

De Stoop told the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir that he is sticking to the plan, but praised the Saverys’ green shipping work involving hydrogen as a fuel.