Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation


The SuperCat Fast Ferry Corporation, commonly known as SuperCat, is a shipping company that is owned by Chelsea Logistics & Infrastructure Holdings Corp. that operates a fleet of high-speed catamarans in the Philippines.
SuperCat was previously the sister company of SuperFerry, Cebu Ferries and 2GO Travel.
SuperCat operates 10 vessels in 5 ports around the Philippines.
WWW Official Site

History

Origins

[Image:Inside SC 32.jpg|thumb|Interior of SuperCat 32, 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.

Growth

SuperCat added routes throughout the Visayas Region. High-speed crafts became popular in the Philippines. In 1997, Sea Angels merged with Universal Aboitiz and Hong Kong Park View Holdings to form the Philippine Fast Ferry Corporation. SuperCat also acquired the 2 vessels of Waterjet Shipping Corporation. They renamed it as SuperCat 17 and SuperCat 18.

Downsizing of & more economical fleet

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.
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.
To cope with the soaring fuel prices, SuperCat started replacing their previous fleet with more fuel-efficient vessels. All jet-powered SuperCat HSC vessels were replaced by more fuel efficient vessels using a simple propulsion system.
In commemoration of the Philippine Centennial, SuperCat repainted some of its vessels with a "Philippine Flag Livery".
The fleet changes resulted to longer trips taking at least an hour, up from 45 minutes.
SuperCat has owned three monohull fast crafts, namely SC 20, 21, and 23.
Sharon Cuneta filmed SuperCat's TV advertisement 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 for all shipping lines 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 the use of their newly-constructed exclusive terminal. It was then forced to remove the terminal fee.

Exit of Aboitiz

In 2012, after Negros Navigation acquired SuperCat's parent company, Aboitiz Transport System, all of SuperCat vessels briefly became part of 2GO Travel. The SuperCat brand was later re-established and became part 2GO Group.

Under Dennis Uy

In 2019, SuperCat was acquired by the Dennis Uy-led Udenna Group through its Chelsea Logistics & Infrastructure Holdings Corp. from the 2GO Group. Chelsea Logistics had previously acquired an indirectly ownership of 28.15% of Supercat in 2016 and took over management of SuperCat the same year. At the time Mr. Uy was chairman of the 2GO Group.

Routes

As of 2024, SuperCat serves the following routes.

Fleet

The SuperCat fleet is composed of 11 high-speed catamarans, but they also owned monohulled vessels.

Former vessels

  • SuperCat 1
  • SuperCat - I
  • Supercat 2
  • SuperCat 3
  • SuperCat 5
  • SuperCat 6
  • SuperCat 7
  • SuperCat 8
  • SuperCat 9
  • SuperCat 10
  • SuperCat 11/St. Raphael
  • SuperCat 12/St. Gabriel
  • SuperCat 17
  • SuperCat 18
  • SuperCat 20
  • SuperCat 21
  • St. Nuriel
  • SuperCat 2001/Tricat 50
  • SuperCat 2002
  • ''Supercat 36 ''

Incidents

In September 1994, M/V SuperCat 1 sank near Verde Island. There were no casualties.
All passengers were rescued by another RORO vessel.
On October 26, 2020, St. Nuriel capsized in Batangas port during Typhoon Rolly.||
In May 21, 2023, MV St. Jhudiel, collided with LCT Poseidon 23 in Mactan Channel. There were no casualties.