Stolt-Nielsen and chemicals manufacturer Deltech bear full legal responsibility for the fatal July 2012 fire aboard a Mediterranean Shipping Co containership that has resulted in estimated $280m liability, a US federal judge ruled Monday.

Deltech was found 55% liable for the incident and Oslo-listed Stolt 45% in a 122-page ruling by US District Judge Katherine Forrest, of the court for the Southern District of New York.