All five groups locked in a bitter legal fight over a chemical explosion that ripped apart a containership operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) five years ago are thought to be facing a share in the estimated $280m liability after a key court ruling.

A judge in New York has signalled that the remaining litigants in the MSC Flaminia case could face a share of the bill over the fire that crippled the boxship and killed three crew members.