Lawsuit over lease for Shell Arctic drilling fleet rejected

Published 4:37 pm Friday, July 31, 2015

SEATTLE — A Washington state judge has rejected a lawsuit challenging the Port of Seattle’s decision to lease one of its terminals as a homeport for Royal Dutch Shell’s Arctic oil-drilling fleet.

Environmental groups argued that port broke state environmental law in February when it signed a two-year lease with Foss Maritime Co. to rent 50 acres at Terminal 5 near downtown Seattle. Foss’ client is Royal Dutch Shell PLC, which has based its Arctic fleet there.

Foss spokesman Paul Queary says the ruling Friday in King County Superior Court confirms that Terminal 5 is properly permitted for the use of Shell’s vessels.

Patti Goldman, an attorney with the environmental law firm Earthjustice, says the plaintiffs are considering an appeal.