Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation

{{Short description|Filipino ferry company}} {{Redirect|Supercat|the Jamaican deejay|Super Cat|the comic book character|Streaky the Supercat|ferries based in Sydney, Australia|Sydney Ferries|the form of insurance dealing with natural disasters|Catastrophe bond}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation | logo = SuperCat logo.svg | image = | image_caption = | type = Subsidiary | industry = Transport | parent = Chelsea Logistics & Infrastructure Holdings Corp. | products = | revenue = | num_employees = | key_people = Dennis Uy (Chairman)<br/>Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy (President & CEO)<br/>Shane Anthony G. Arante (General Manager) | foundation = {{start date and age|1994}} | area_served = Philippines | location = 2F Trans-Asia Bldg, Osmeña Blvd corner M. J. Cuenco Ave | location_city = Cebu City | location_country = Philippines | homepage = {{URL|supercat.ph}}<br/> {{URL|chelseatravel.ph}} }}

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 (HSC) 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.

==History==

===Origins=== 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.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} 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. {{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}

===Growth=== SuperCat added routes throughout the Visayas Region. High-speed crafts became popular in the Philippines.{{citation needed|date=February 2013}} 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.<ref name="philippinebusiness.com.ph">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090629195117/http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol10-2003/10-3/industry.htm An assessment of Year One of the Aquino administration] (30 June 2011), [http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph philippinebusiness.com.ph] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807135539/http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/ |date=2009-08-07 }} (archived from [http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol10-2003/10-3/industry.htm the original] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629195117/http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol10-2003/10-3/industry.htm |date=2009-06-29 }} on 2011-07-22).</ref> SuperCat also acquired the 2 vessels of Waterjet Shipping Corporation (owned by Waterjet Netherlands Antilles). They renamed it as ''SuperCat 17'' (former ''Waterjet 1'') and ''SuperCat 18'' (former ''Waterjet 2'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Wightlink2.html|title=Wightlink Ferry Postcards & Photographs|website=www.simplonpc.co.uk}}</ref>

===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.<ref name="philippinebusiness.com.ph"/>

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.<ref name="philippinebusiness.com.ph"/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080319133051/http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation-warehousing/support/449102-1.html SuperCat attacks Philippine ferry standards] (May 1, 2005), [http://www.allbusiness.com allbusiness.com] (archived from [http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation-warehousing/support/449102-1.html the original] on 2008-03-19),</ref>

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.<ref name="ReferenceB">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090319011148/http://www.supercat.com.ph/fullstory.asp?id=31 SuperCat buys new vessel for $1.7M] (October 17, 2007), [http://www.supercat.com.ph supercat.com.ph]. (archived from [http://www.supercat.com.ph/fullstory.asp?id=31 the original] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319011148/http://www.supercat.com.ph/fullstory.asp?id=31 |date=2009-03-19 }} on 2009-03-19).</ref>

In commemoration of the Philippine Centennial, SuperCat repainted some of its vessels with a "Philippine Flag Livery"{{dead link|date=January 2013|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/12487973@N02/3244017264/}}.

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{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}. 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{{citation needed|date=July 2025}} 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.<ref name="VenturesCebuOct2019">{{cite news |title=2GO exits fastcraft business, sells SuperCat to Chelsea |url=https://www.venturescebu.com/post/2go-exits-fastcraft-sector-sells-supercat-to-chelsea |access-date=2 November 2023 |work=Ventures Cebu |date=Oct 11, 2019}}</ref><ref name="PhilStarOct2019">{{cite news |last1=Gonzales |first1=Iris |title=Chelsea takes over 2GO's SuperCat ferry |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/10/15/1960139/chelsea-takes-over-2gos-supercat-ferry |access-date=2 November 2023 |work=Philstar.com |date=October 15, 2019}}</ref> At the time Mr. Uy was chairman of the 2GO Group.<ref name="VenturesCebuOct2019" />

==Routes== As of 2024, SuperCat serves the following routes.

{{sticky header}} {|class="wikitable sortable sticky-header" ! '''From''' ! '''To''' |- |Batangas||Calapan |- |Calapan||Batangas |- |rowspan="3"|Cebu||Ormoc |- ||Larena, Siquijor |- ||Tagbilaran |- ||Ormoc||Cebu |- ||Larena, Siquijor||Cebu |- |rowspan="2"|Tagbilaran||Cebu |- ||Larena, Siquijor |} ==Fleet== The SuperCat fleet is composed of 11 high-speed catamarans, but they also owned monohulled vessels.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.supercat.com.ph/aboutus_ourfleet.asp|title=SuperCat - SuperFerry Travel and Leisure - Our Fleet|access-date=2009-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103013203/http://www.supercat.com.ph/aboutus_ourfleet.asp|archive-date=2009-11-03|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Vessels===

{|class="wikitable sortable" ! Name ! IMO ! Built ! Entry of service to the Philippines ! Tonnage ! Length ! Breadth ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! class="unsortable" | Image |- |- |'''''St. Sealthiel'''''||{{IMO|9227091}}||align="center" colspan=2|2000||align="right"|180||{{convert|28|m|abbr=on}}||{{convert|8.5|m|abbr=on}}||''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 fuel-efficient. She was renamed ''M/V Smart'' in South Korea, before ending up with SuperCat. ||150px |- |'''''St. Emmanuel'''''||{{IMO|8745589}}||1998||2011||align="right"|175||{{convert|25|m|abbr=on}}||||''St. Emmanuel'' used to be ''SuperCat 26'' and ''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.||2GO_Travel_Catamaran_in_Iloilo|150px |- |'''''St. Uriel'''''||{{IMO|9056210}}||align="center" colspan=2|1992||align="right"|229||{{convert|32|m|abbr=on}}||{{convert|8|m|abbr=on}}||''St. Uriel'' used to be ''Supercat 23''. She uses a simple propulsion system and her engines are fuel efficient. She also offers an open deck accommodation at a more affordable price.||150px |- |'''''St. Jhudiel'''''||{{IMO|9135717}}||1996||2008||align="right"|184||{{convert|27.7|m|abbr=on}}||{{convert|9.24|m|abbr=on}}||''St. Jhudiel'' used to be ''SuperCat 30'' and ''Hanseblitz'', one of ''Elbe City'' Jet's catamaran From 1996 to 2001. She was reconfigured and elevated its Captain's bridge at Abeking & Rasmussen, and later on acquired by ''Transtejo'' in Lisbon, 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 Risør, Norway. Unlike the other SuperCat vessels, this vessel is equipped with controllable pitch propellers as its propulsion system. ''St. Braquiel'' is her sister ship.||150px |- |'''''St. Braquiel'''''||{{IMO|9135705}}||align="center" colspan=2|1992||align="right"|293||{{convert|27.94|m|abbr=on}}||{{convert|9.24|m|abbr=on}}||''St. Braquiel'' used to be ''SuperCat 32'' and ''Hansepfeil'', one of Elbe City Jet's catamaran. From 1996 to 2002 and was reconfigured and elevated its Captain's bridge at Abeking & Rasmussen, and later on acquired by ''Transtejo'' in Lisbon, 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 Risør, nNorway. Unlike the other Supercat vessels, this vessel is equipped with controllable pitch propellers as its propulsion system. [https://archive.today/20130104033921/http://homepage2.nifty.com/honsyuutetudou/index.htm] St Jhudiel is her sister ship.||150px |- |'''''St. Dominic'''''||{{IMO|8911815}}||1990||2008||align="right"|238||{{convert|34.8|m|abbr=on}}||{{convert|10|m|abbr=on}}||''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.<ref name=Yacht&Boat>[http://www.yachtandboat.com.au/news/manly-jet-cat-sea-eagle-now-living-in-kazakhstan Manly Jet Cat ''Sea Eagle'' living in Kazakhstan] ''Yacht & Boat'' 29 June 2011</ref> She uses a KAMEWA waterjet-propulsion and her maximum service speed can reach up to 31 knots.<ref name=NSWMinofTpt>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090516072056/http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/inquiries/walker-jetcat-withdrawal.html Jet Car Withdrawal and Manly Fast Ferry Commencement] NSW Ministry of Transport</ref> On October 26, 2020, St. Dominic capsized in Batangas port during Typhoon Rolly.||150px |- |'''''St. Camael'''''||{{IMO|9822920}}||align="center" colspan=2|2017||align="right"|272||{{convert|31|m|abbr=on}}||{{convert|9|m|abbr=on}}||rowspan="2"|In June and July 2017, Austal Philippines delivered two 30-meter catamarans to SuperCat Fast Ferry Corporation, MV ''St. Camael'' and MV ''St. Sariel''. Each of the high speed ferries can carry up to 300 passengers, and can cruise at 25 knots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://philippines.austal.com/ships/passenger-express-30|title=Passenger Express 30|website=philippines.austal.com|date=7 December 2016|access-date=2017-07-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.austal.com/news/austal-delivers-second-high-speed-passenger-ferry-2go-philippines|title=Austal Delivers Second High Speed Passenger Ferry to 2GO Philippines|website=www.austal.com|date=2 July 2017|access-date=2017-08-25}}</ref> || |- |'''''St. Sariel'''''||{{IMO|9822918}}||align="center" colspan=2|2017||align="right"|272||{{convert|31|m|abbr=on}}||{{convert|9|m|abbr=on}}|| |- |'''''St. Micah'''''||{{IMO|9005443}}||1990||2015||align="right"|447||{{convert|38|m|abbr=on}}||{{convert|11|m|abbr=on}}||She was first known as M/V Silangan Express 1. later acquired by SuperCat in 2019.|| |- |'''''Sprint 1'''''||{{IMO|9882695}}||2019||2020||align="right"|249||{{convert|40.6|m|abbr=on}}||{{convert|6.2|m|abbr=on}}||She is the first vessel to join the Supercat fleet after Chelsea Logistics Inc. acquired Supercat in 2019. She is also the first Supercat Vessel to have an all female crew aboard. |- |}

===Former vessels=== thumb|Supercat 7

*''SuperCat 1'' (sank-off en route to Calapan, Mindoro Oriental) *''SuperCat - I'' (sold to Emeraude Lines renamed as ''NORMANDIE EXPRESS'', later renamed as ''Moorea Express'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/oregrund_1988.htm|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120905224448/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/oregrund_1988.htm|url-status=dead|title=M/S ÖREGRUND (1988)|date=5 September 2012|archivedate=5 September 2012|website=archive.is}}</ref> *''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''<ref name="simplonpc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Jadrolinija6.html|title=Jadrolinija - Page 6: Fast Ferries|website=www.simplonpc.co.uk}}</ref>) *''SuperCat 5'' (sold to Croatian Shipping Company Jadrolinija, renamed as ''Judita''<ref name="simplonpc.co.uk"/>) *''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''<ref name="simplonpc.co.uk"/>) *''SuperCat 8'' (sold to Croatian Shipping Company Jadrolinija, renamed as ''Dubravka''<ref name="simplonpc.co.uk"/>) *''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,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/FastCat-Ryde.html|title=FastCat-Ryde - Wightlink - Ferry Postcards & Photographs|website=www.simplonpc.co.uk}}</ref> Renamed as ''FastCat-Ryde''. Sold to Alien Shipping, renamed as ''Sochi-1'') *''SuperCat 18'' (sold to Wightlink for use between Portsmouth and Ryde,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Wightlink2.html#anchor45501|title=Wightlink Ferry Postcards & Photographs|website=www.simplonpc.co.uk}}</ref> 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 <ref name="ReferenceB"/> ''Endurance'') *'' St. Nuriel '' (Capsized during the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly in Batangas.) *''SuperCat 2001/Tricat 50'' (sold, renamed as ''SEA POWER 1'') *''SuperCat 2002'' (sold to a Dutch Shipping Company, renamed as ''Tiger'') *''Supercat 36 (St. Benedict<ref name="s36_">https://www.facebook.com/PSSSOfficial/photos/a.2422791538043456/2422791808043429/?id=1403534549969165</ref>)'' (Sold to undisclosed buyer on August 19, 2021 for PHP 2.5 million.)<ref name=soldByChelsea>[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</ref>

==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.

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090626103212/http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/09252008/shipping02.html Aboitiz Transport sale: hard decision after marking 100 yrs] (archived from [http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/09252008/shipping02.html the original] on 2009-06-26) *http://www.supercat.com.ph/index.asp

Category:Ferries of the Philippines Category:Ferry companies of the Philippines Category:Shipping companies of the Philippines Category:Transportation in Cebu Category:Companies based in Cebu City Category:Defunct transportation companies of the Philippines Category:Privately held companies of the Philippines