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Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2021
BRUNEI GAS CARRIERS
A ship with temperature-controlled tanks
intended to transport liquefied natural gas
(LNG) is an advanced and specialised state-of-
the-art system. There are approximately 360
LNG tankers around the globe, five of which are
owned and managed by Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn
Bhd (BGC).
Looking back at history, in the 1960s, gas
reserves were discovered beneath the waters
of Brunei Darussalam. With the discovery of this
highly sought-after energy source, a large-scale
liquefaction plant was established to process
the gas after which the transportation of LNG to
support economic growth in Brunei began. The
delivery of LNG from Brunei to Japan began in
1972 with SS Gadinia, the first out of the seven
G-Class vessels operating under Shell Tankers
UK Limited.
In 1986, Brunei Shell Tankers Sdn Bhd (BST)
was established to operate the seven G-Class
vessels under the Brunei flag. Thus began the
era of the B-Class fleet, with a change in name
for all seven vessels reflecting the names of
local fish and shellfish – Bebatik, Bekalang,
Bekulan, Belais, Belanak, Bilis and Bubuk – with
average cargo capacities ranging from 75,000m³
to 77,000m³.
The B-Class vessels played a major role in
Brunei’s export-oriented energy sector, which
ended in 2018 when the last vessel, Bebatik,
retired, ending the 46-year B-Class era. With
their end, that mantle was passed to BGC’s
A-class vessels to continue the legacy.
With the demand of LNG growing rapidly
worldwide, BGC was incorporated in 1998
as a joint venture between the Government
of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum
Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi
Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam, Shell Gas BV and Diamond Gas
Carriers BV.
Today, BGC continues to provide a top quartile
safety and reliability performance while being
competitive in the LNG maritime transportation
industry, as it aspires to further establish itself
as Brunei’s centre of maritime excellence.