Belgian lawyers Deminor said between 15 and 20 companies had made contact about possible lawsuits, according to Reuters.

Deminor is a specialist in representing institutional investors in class actions.

OW Bunker, Denmark's third-largest company by revenue, filed for bankruptcy on 7 November after revealing alleged fraud costing it $125m at a Singapore subsidiary and risk management losses of $150m.

It had reduced its profit guidance on 7 October after an IPO worth nearly $1bn seven months ago.

Deminor