April 27, 2010 18:24 ET

U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Stolt-Nielsen S.A. in Rejecting Class Arbitration

LONDON--(Marketwire - April 27, 2010) -

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl (Norwegian Securities Trading Act)

LONDON, April 27, 2010 - Stolt-Nielsen S.A. (OSLO: SNI) announced that the Supreme Court of the United States today ruled in the Company's favour, rejecting class arbitration of certain antitrust claims brought by a purported class led by AnimalFeeds International Corporation. The Court's majority opinion said an arbitration panel's earlier decision that had permitted class arbitration was in conflict with the principle that arbitration is a matter of consent.

Following an adverse ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Company appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court and was granted a hearing in December 2009. Today's favourable ruling means that AnimalFeeds may bring antitrust claims against Stolt-Nielsen S.A. only on behalf of itself and not on behalf of a large, putative class of claimants.

Niels G. Stolt-Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Stolt-Nielsen S.A., commented: "We are very pleased with today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court rejecting class arbitration treatment."

About Stolt-Nielsen S.A.

Stolt-Nielsen S.A. (SNSA or the "Company") is a leading global provider of integrated transportation solutions for bulk liquid chemicals, edible oils, acids, and other specialty liquids through its three largest business divisions, Stolt Tankers, Stolthaven Terminals and Stolt Tank Containers. Stolt Sea Farm produces and markets high quality turbot, sole, sturgeon, and caviar. Stolt-Nielsen Gas transports liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) with its growing fleet of very large gas carriers (VLGCs). Stolt-Nielsen S.A. is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

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