PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say the Fennica, a vessel that could be used by Royal Dutch Shell PLC in its Arctic offshore drilling project, has arrived in Portland for repairs.
Portland Police officials said the 380-foot icebreaker arrived to a Swan Island dry dock Saturday at about 3 a.m. The icebreaker is a key part of Shell’s exploration and spill response plan — it protects Shell’s fleet from ice.
The Fennica was damaged earlier this month in the Aleutian Islands when it struck an underwater obstruction.
Environmental groups, which oppose arctic offshore drilling, want the government to reject permits sought by Shell to drill in the Chukchi Sea because of the absence of the icebreaker.