Shortly after BGC's incorporation, through its Project Management Committee, a tender evaluation exercise was undertaken to pursue the Company's objective.

In March 1999, BGC entered into Shipping Contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Limited (MHI) from Japan for the construction of a new 135,000 cubic metre Moss Containment system LNG Vessel, under Hull Number 2163.

The Vessel was constructed at MHI's Koyagi Shipyard situated in Nagasaki, Japan to be completed by June 2002.

The Keel Laying Ceremony was held on 24 November 2000 at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Limited Shipyard (MHI) in Koyagi, Nagasaki, Japan.

The Guest of Honour was the Chairman of BGC Board of Directors, Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Haji Adanan bi Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Data Seri Setia Haji Md. Yusof, the Permanent Secretary at the Prime M inister's Office.



Also prevent at the Ceremony were Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Haji Ahmad bin Haji Ibrahim, then the Managing Director of BGC who was also the Director of the Petroleum Unit, Shell Gas B.V. and Mitsubishi Corporation representatives, members of BGC Site Supervision Team and MHI representatives.

A Naming Ceremony was held on 9 May 2002 at the Wharf of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), kyoyagi, Nagasaki, Japan for the Newbuild LNG Vessel “Hull No. 2163”.

The Newbuild LNG vessel was given the name “ABADI” which means everlasting and evergreen.

This 135,000 cubic metre LNG Newbuild will be the first of its kind constructed by the Shipyard using a Moss Containment System based on the latest state of the art technology.

The Guest of honour for the ABADI Naming Ceremony was Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohd Taib, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources cum the Chairman of Brunei LNG Sdn. Bhd.'s Board of Directors.

Other guest to the Ceremony include the members of the BGC Board of Directors, representative of BGC Shareholders, BLNG Buyers, Mitsubishi Corporation, BLNG and Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (already appointed as the Ship Manager of the ABADI).

This investment is the biggest project financing facility arranged so far under the Brunei International Financial Centre, Ministry of Finance, involving banks from abroad.

Among those present at the Ceremony were senior officials from the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Shareholders' representatives from BGC and BLNG, as well as representatives from the participating banks.