Brunei LNG (BLNG), an energy company based in the Asian state of Brunei, is set to order a new liquid natural gas (LNG) carrier from South Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries.
BLNG’s shipping subsidiary Brunei Gas Carrier (BGC) will place the order for a 155,000 cubic metre vessel, with the option to take a second carrier. The first vessel is expected to be delivered by 2013-2014. BLNG operates seven LNG tankers under its two shipping subsidiaries, BGC and Brunei Shell Tankers. It has four 75,000 cubic metre vessels, two of which will be replaced by the new carrier, as well as the 135,000 cubic metre Abadi and the 145,000 cubic  metre Arkat and Amali.
BLNG recently concluded a new round of long-term supply deals with Japanese power utilities. Tokyo Electric Power, Tokyo Gas and Osaka Gas agreed last month to extend an LNG purchase deal with BLNG for 10 years, but cut import volumes by over 40 percent. The Brunei government owns 50 percent of BLNG, with Shell and Japanese trading house Mitsubishi each holding 25 percent.