Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation

The SuperCat Fast Ferry Corporation, commonly known as SuperCat, is a shipping company that operates a fleet of high-speed catamarans (HSC) in the Philippines. It is now part of Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corporation. Supercat was previously the sister company of SuperFerry, Cebu Ferries and 2GO Travel. Supercat operated 7 vessels in 7 ports around the Philippines.

"Supercat" redirects here. For William Maragh, the originator of the late 1980s and early 1990s dancehall movement, see Super Cat. For the comic book character, see Streaky the Supercat. For ferries based in Sydney, Australia, see Sydney Ferries. For Form of insurance dealing with natural disasters, see Catastrophe bond.
Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation
TypePrivate company
IndustryFerry Services
Founded1994 (1994)
HeadquartersSupercat Terminal Pier 4, North Reclamation Area,
Cebu City
,
Philippines
Area served
Philippines
ParentChelsea Logistics Holdings Corporation
Websiteonline.supercat.ph

Brief history
Interior of SuperCat 32, one of the newer ships in the fleet, bound for Cebu City

Batangas - Calapan route is one of the most important shipping routes in the Philippines. During the early 1990s, the route was dominated by a single large shipping company. Travelling during those days could take up to 3 hours and be uncomfortable. In 1994, Rodolfo G. Valencia, then Governor of Oriental Mindoro, invited the Aboitiz Group to ply the route. His intention was to bring a more convenient and faster alternative to Mindoro. Under the management of Universal Aboitiz Inc., M/V SuperCat 1, their pioneer vessel, traveled between Batangas and Calapan in only 45 minutes.

SuperCat added routes throughout the Visayas Region. High-speed crafts became popular in the Philippines. In 1997, Sea Angels (owned by Negros Navigation) merged with Universal Aboitiz and Hong Kong Park View Holdings to form the Philippine Fast Ferry Corporation.[1] SuperCat also acquired the 2 vessels of Waterjet Shipping Corporation (owned by Waterjet Netherlands Antilles). They renamed it as SuperCat 17 (former Waterjet 1, currently FastCat Ryde) and Supercat 18 (former Waterjet 2, currently FastCat Shanklin).[2] The merger was eventually dissolved in 2002 and SuperCat became solely owned by Aboitiz. The abolition of the WG&A merger then soon unraveled. SuperCat sacrificed some of its vessels and their corresponding routes in order to sustain its fast craft operations. SuperCat also downsized from 200 to just 100 employees.[1]

From the 1990s to early 2000s, all SuperCat vessels were waterjet-propelled. Due to economic problems, Aboitiz was forced sell ships reducing an original fleet of fourteen down to just seven.[1][3]

To cope with the soaring fuel prices, SuperCat started replacing their previous fleet with more fuel-efficient vessels. At present, all jet-powered SuperCat HSC vessels were replaced by more fuel efficient vessels using a simple propulsion system.[4]

Destinations

Current Destinations
A Supercat Ticket Booth in Batangas Port
A Supercat Ticket Booth in Calapan Port
Supercat's Original Route (Batangas - Calapan)

Active Routes [5]
  • Batangas - Calapan v v. (1 hour 10 minutes)
  • Bacolod - Iloilo v.v. (1 hour)
  • Cebu - Ormoc v v. (2 hours and 20 minutes)
  • Cebu - Tagbilaran v v. (1 hour 45 minutes)

Fleet

The Supercat fleet was mainly composed of high-speed catamarans, but they also owned monohulled vessels.[6]

Supercat 22 docked at International Port of Batangas, Philippines
The bridge of a Supercat vessel
Supercat 23 cruising along Batangas Seas
Supercat 25 docked at Calapan Pier, Philippines
Supercat 32 docked at Tagbilaran Port, Philippines
Supercat 30 Aerial Shot
Supercat 32 passing under Marcelo Fernan Bridge in Cebu

St. Nuriel (formerly Supercat 22)

St. Nuriel used to be SuperCat 22 M/V Mt. Samat Ferry 3, which was operated by defunct Philippine fast ferry company, Mt. Samat. The Supercat 22 was built by FBMA Marine Inc. (an Aboitiz Company) in Balamban, Cebu. This vessel uses a simple propulsion system, and is very fuel efficient. In July 2010, she was added a second deck. She is currently serving the Batangas - Calapan route. On October 26, 2020, St. Nuriel capsized in Batangas port during the wrath of Typhoon Rolly.

St. Uriel (formerly SuperCat 23)

St. Uriel was the only high speed monohull vessel in the Supercat fleet. She uses a simple propulsion system and her fuel is efficient. She also offers an open deck accommodation at a more affordable price. She is currently in regular service on Bacolod - Iloilo route.

St. Sealthiel (formerly SuperCat 25)

St. Sealthiel used to be SuperCat 25 & M/V Mt. Samat Ferry 5, which was operated by defunct Philippine fast ferry company, Mt. Samat. She is a sister ship of Supercat 22 and was also built by FBMA Marine Inc. (an Aboitiz Company) in Balamban, Cebu. Similarly this vessel uses a simple propulsion system, and is very fuel efficient. She was renamed as M/V Smart in Korea, before ending up with Supercat Fast Ferry Corp. She is serving the Bacolod - Iloilo route.

St. Emmanuel (formerly SuperCat 26)

SuperCat 26 used to be SeaCat from Australia, traveling Perth to Rottnest Island. She has twin Caterpillar C32 engines and can cruise up to 28 knots. She's 25m in length. She is serving the Bacolod-Iloilo route in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.

St. Jhudiel (formerly SuperCat 30)

St. Jhudiel used to be SuperCat 30, one of Elbe City Jet's catamaran. She was named Hanseblitz from 1996 to 2001 and was reconfigured and elevated its Captain's bridge at Abeking & Rasmussen, and later on acquired by Transtejo in Lisboa, Portugal renamed Bairro Alto until early 2008. She has two decks. The upper deck offers business class accommodation. This vessel was built by Lindstol Skips, in Risor Norway. Unlike the other Supercat vessels, this vessel is equipped with controllable pitch propellers as its propulsion system. Supercat 32 is her sister ship. She is serving the Cebu - Ormoc - Cebu and Cebu - Tagbilaran - Cebu Route.

St. Braquiel (formerly SuperCat 32)

St. Braquiel used to be SuperCat 32, one of Elbe City Jet's catamaran. She was named Hansepfeil from 1996 to 2002 and was reconfigured and elevated its Captain's bridge at Abeking & Rasmussen, and later on acquired by Transtejo in Lisboa, Portugal renamed Parque das Nacoes until early 2008. She has two decks. The upper deck offers business class accommodation. This vessel was built by Lindstol Skips, in Risor Norway. Unlike the other Supercat vessels, this vessel is equipped with controllable pitch propellers as its propulsion system. Supercat 30 is her sister ship. As of December 2018, she is currently serving in the Iloilo-Bacolod-Iloilo route.

St. Dominic (formerly SuperCat 38)

St. Dominic, formerly known as SuperCat 38 and Sir David Martin, is one of three Sydney JetCats purchased for the Manly service to replace hydrofoils. She operated from Manly to Circular Quay from 1990 until 2008 before being sold to Supercat.[7] She uses a KAMEWA waterjet-propulsion and her maximum service speed can reach up to 31 knots.[8] On October 26, 2020, St. Dominic capsized in Batangas port during the wrath of Typhoon Rolly.

St. Camael and St. Sariel

In June 2017, Austal Philippines delivered the first of two 30-meter catamarans to SuperCat Fast Ferry Corporation, MV St. Camael. Each of the high speed ferries can carry up to 300 passengers, and can cruise at 25 knots.[9] In July 2017, St. Camael's sister ship, MV St. Sariel, was also delivered.[10] St. Camael commenced operations on the Cebu-Ormoc route, while St. Sariel serves the Cebu-Tagbilaran route.

As of May 2021, St. Camael is now serving the Iloilo-Bacolod route.

Former vessels
Formerly Supercat 5 and Supercat 7, now in Croatia
Supercat 7 in Supercat's Altered Original Livery. The Livery was partially modified to reflect the Sea Angels Merger
Former Supercat Vessels
  • Supercat 1 (sank-off en route to Calapan, Mindoro)
  • Supercat - I (sold to Emeraude Lines renamed as NORMANDIE EXPRESS, later renamed as Moorea Express)[11]
  • Supercat 2 (sold to Korean Shipping Company KOREA EXPRESS FERRY CO., Ltd, renamed as Korea Express)
  • Supercat 3 (sold to Croatian Shipping Company Jadrolinija, renamed as Karolina [12])
  • Supercat 5 (sold to Croatian Shipping Company Jadrolinija, renamed as Judita[12])
  • Supercat 6 (sold to Moreton Bay Whale Watching, sold to Seo Kyung Korea renamed as Gold Coast)
  • Supercat 7 (sold to Croatian Shipping Company Jadrolinija, renamed as Novalja[12])
  • Supercat 8 (sold to Croatian Shipping Company Jadrolinija, renamed as Dubravka[12])
  • Supercat 9 (sold to Croatian Shipping Company, renamed as Bisovo)
  • Supercat 10 (sold to Korean Shipping Company WONDERFUL ISLAND CO., renamed as Mosulpo 1 (모슬포1호))
  • Supercat 11: St. Raphael (sold to Italian Shipping Company Ustica Lines, renamed as Federica M)
  • Supercat 12: St. Gabriel (sold to Italian Shipping Company Ustica Lines, renamed as Gabrielle M)
  • Supercat 17 (sold to Wightlink for use between Portsmouth and Ryde,[13] Renamed as FastCat-Ryde. Sold to Alien Shipping, renamed as Sochi-1)
  • Supercat 18 (sold to Wightlink for use between Portsmouth and Ryde,[14] Renamed as FastCat-Shanklin. Sold to Alien Shipping, renamed as Sochi-2)
  • Supercat 20 (sold to South African Shipping Company FakoShip, renamed as Endurance)
  • Supercat 21 (returned to her lessor [4])
  • Supercat 2001/Tricat 50 (sold, renamed as SEA POWER 1)
  • Supercat 2002 (sold to a Dutch Shipping Company, renamed as Tiger)
  • Supercat 36 Formerly St. Benedict, Sold to undisclosed buyer on August 19, 2021 for PHP 2.5 million.[15]

Trivia
Supercat 6, smallest Supercat vessel
Supercat 3
Supercat 2001 (formerly TriCat 50)
Supercats in Philippine Flag Livery
  • In September 1994, M/V SuperCat 1 sank near Verde Island. There were no casualties. All passengers were rescued by another RORO vessel. There were speculations that the vessel was sabotaged. It was not proven though.
  • SuperCat 6 was the smallest SuperCat vessel
  • In commemoration of the Philippine Independence Centennial, SuperCat repainted some of its vessels with a "Philippine Flag Livery".
  • TriCat 50 was renamed as SuperCat 2001.
  • SuperCat had already owned three (3) mono hull fast crafts (namely SC 20, 21 & 23) in its history.
  • The brand "SuperCat" was derived from two words, "SUPER" and "CATamaran"
  • Sharon Cuneta filmed SuperCat's TV Ad in both Batangas City and Calapan. The Ad was only advertised on board and through local cable networks TV Ad in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro and Iloilo City.
  • SuperCat used to have its own exclusive terminal and docking area in Calapan. This was built after the loss of SuperCat 1 where sabotage was suspected. The terminal was eventually demolished after a bigger and better public terminal was opened for use in the second quarter of 2010.
  • SuperCat was sued for mandating an additional terminal fee on top of the fare in Calapan, for use of their newly constructed exclusive terminal. SuperCat was then forced to remove the terminal fee.
  • The catamaran Judita, formerly SuperCat 5, is now labeled as the "Pope's Catamaran". Pope John Paul II rode Judita from Omišalj to Rijeka in his visit to Croatia

See also

References
  1. An assessment of Year One of the Aquino administration (30 June 2011), philippinebusiness.com.ph Archived 2009-08-07 at the Wayback Machine (archived from the original Archived 2009-06-29 at the Wayback Machine on 2011-07-22).
  2. "Wightlink Ferry Postcards & Photographs". www.simplonpc.co.uk.
  3. SuperCat attacks Philippine ferry standards (May 1, 2005), allbusiness.com (archived from the original on 2008-03-19),
  4. SuperCat buys new vessel for $1.7M (October 17, 2007), supercat.com.ph. (archived from the original Archived 2009-03-19 at the Wayback Machine on 2009-03-19).
  5. "SuperCat - SuperFerry Travel and Leisure - Destinations". Archived from the original on 2009-11-11. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  6. "SuperCat - SuperFerry Travel and Leisure - Our Fleet". Archived from the original on 2009-11-03. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  7. Manly Jet Cat Sea Eagle living in Kazakhstan Yacht & Boat 29 June 2011
  8. Jet Car Withdrawal and Manly Fast Ferry Commencement NSW Ministry of Transport
  9. "Passenger Express 30 | Austal: Philippines". philippines.austal.com. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  10. "AUSTAL DELIVERS SECOND HIGH SPEED PASSENGER FERRY TO 2GO PHILIPPINES | Austal: Corporate". www.austal.com. Retrieved 2017-08-25.
  11. "M/S ÖREGRUND (1988)". archive.is. 5 September 2012. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012.
  12. "Jadrolinija - Page 6: Fast Ferries". www.simplonpc.co.uk.
  13. "FastCat-Ryde - Wightlink - Ferry Postcards & Photographs". www.simplonpc.co.uk.
  14. "Wightlink Ferry Postcards & Photographs". www.simplonpc.co.uk.
  15. [https://edge.pse.com.ph/openDiscViewer.do?edge_no=6d5f8537c62bfc699e4dc6f6c9b65995 pp40 | Information Statement - Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. ] PSE Electronic Disclosure Generation Technology (EDGE) 14 March 2023
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