Staff writer

OKUMA, Fukushima Pref. -- High waves Wednesday blocked the entry of a ship carrying mixed plutonium-uranium oxide fuel into Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, a Tepco spokesman said.

The ship's arrival into port is not expected until after Typhoon No. 18 passes.

Just before dawn, at around 4 a.m., two armed British vessels carrying Japan's first commercial shipment of MOX fuel entered Japanese waters. But the Pacific Teal, to deliver 32 MOX assemblies containing a total of 210 kg of plutonium to the Fukushima plant, was unable to dock.

Waves 2 meters high crashed against the seawall at port facilities within the reactor grounds. It was impossible for officials to even board a tugboat to bring the vessel in, said Kazuya Sugiyama, head of public relations at Tepco.

"It is an extreme disappointment," Sugiyama said. "We hope the weather clears soon."

The Pacific Teal left Europe two months ago with the Pacific Pintail, which is scheduled to carry MOX fuel to Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Takahama nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture at the end of the month.

For reasons of security, the two ships have circuited the globe in convoy while outside Japanese territorial waters. Once inside, the ships may pursue separate courses, if escorted by Maritime Safety Agency ships, officials said.

The exact location of the ships was withheld.

Despite the fierce rain and the postponed delivery, a small group of about 20 students and local residents held a protest outside the power plant, chanting: "Down with nuclear power. Down with MOX."

Meanwhile, members of environmental groups took the delay in stride.

"We are used to waiting," said Shaun Burnie, research director of Greenpeace's campaign against plutonium. "When they are ready to dock, we will be there."

The organization delayed by two days the departure of the Pacific Teal from Barrow in northwest England, wielding protest banners in inflatable boats and blocking the vessel's passage with an inflatable giant white elephant on July 19.

The MOX shipment has triggered a local outcry and international concern, because the plutonium-blend fuel is considered easily convertible into weapons-grade material.

The shipment comes on the heels of revelations last week of faulty safety inspections at Britain's Sellafield nuclear plant, where the fuel for Kepco's reactors was manufactured.