Seattle mayor, council seek review of Shell drilling fleet

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle's Mayor and City Council are seeking a review of whether Royal Dutch Shell PLC should be allowed to lease property along the city's waterfront for its Arctic oil drilling fleet.

Mayor Ed Murray and councilmembers said Monday that city officials will investigate whether the plans comply with a city shoreline permit granted to the Port of Seattle at that site.

They say that if Shell's vessels need extensive repairs or maintenance after returning from a season of drilling, than new, different permits may be required.

The Port of Seattle last month signed a two-year lease with Foss Maritime Co., whose client Shell plans to use 50 acres at Terminal 5 to moor its drilling fleet.

Port officials have said they complied with environmental requirements and that cargo uses at the terminal have not changed.