| Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation | |
| Type: | Subsidiary |
| Industry: | Transport |
| Parent: | Chelsea Logistics & Infrastructure Holdings Corp. |
| Key People: | Dennis Uy (Chairman) Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy (President & CEO) Shane Anthony G. Arante (General Manager) |
| Area Served: | Philippines |
| Location: | 2F Trans-Asia Bldg, Osmeña Blvd corner M. J. Cuenco Ave |
| Location City: | Cebu City |
| Location Country: | Philippines |
| Homepage: | |
The SuperCat Fast Ferry Corporation, commonly known as SuperCat, is a brand and part of 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.
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) and SuperCat 18 (former Waterjet 2).[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. All jet-powered SuperCat HSC vessels were replaced by more fuel efficient vessels using a simple propulsion system.[4]
In commemoration of the Philippine Centennial, SuperCat repainted some of its vessels with a "Philippine Flag Livery".
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 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.
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.
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.[5] [6] At the time Mr. Uy was chairman of the 2GO Group.
As of 2024, SuperCat serves the following routes.
| From | To |
|---|---|
| Batangas | Calapan |
| Calapan | Batangas |
| Cebu | Ormoc |
| Larena, Siquijor | |
| Tagbilaran | |
| Ormoc | Cebu |
| Larena, Siquijor | Cebu |
| Tagbilaran | Cebu |
| Larena, Siquijor |
The SuperCat fleet is composed of 11 high-speed catamarans, but they also owned monohulled vessels.[7]
| Name | IMO | Built | Entry of service to the Philippines | Tonnage | Length | Breadth | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Nuriel | 2000 | 242 | 28m (92feet) | 8.5m (27.9feet) | St. Nuriel used to be SuperCat 22 and 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 fuel-efficient. In July 2010, a second deck was added on her superstructure. On October 26, 2020, St. Nuriel capsized in Batangas port during Typhoon Rolly. | |||
| St. Sealthiel | 2000 | 180 | 28m (92feet) | 8.5m (27.9feet) | 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. | |||
| St. Emmanuel | 1998 | 2011 | 175 | 25m (82feet) | 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. | |||
| St. Uriel | 1992 | 229 | 32m (105feet) | 8m (26feet) | 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. | |||
| St. Jhudiel | 1996 | 2008 | 184 | 27.7m (90.9feet) | 9.24m (30.31feet) | 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 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 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. | ||
| St. Braquiel | 1992 | 293 | 27.94m (91.67feet) | 9.24m (30.31feet) | 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 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 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. | |||
| St. Dominic | 1990 | 2008 | 238 | 34.8m (114.2feet) | 10m (30feet) | 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.[8] She uses a KAMEWA waterjet-propulsion and her maximum service speed can reach up to 31 knots.[9] On October 26, 2020, St. Dominic capsized in Batangas port during Typhoon Rolly. | ||
| St. Camael | 2017 | 272 | 31m (102feet) | 9m (30feet) | 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.[10] [11] | |||
| St. Sariel | 2017 | 272 | 31m (102feet) | 9m (30feet) | ||||
| St. Micah | 1990 | 2015 | 447 | 38m (125feet) | 11m (36feet) | She was first known as M/V Silangan Express 1. later acquired by SuperCat in 2019. | ||
| Sprint 1 | 2019 | 2020 | 249 | 40.6m (133.2feet) | 6.2m (20.3feet) | 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. | ||
In September 1994, M/V SuperCat 1 sank near Verde Island. There were no casualties. All passengers were rescued by another RORO vessel.
In May 21, 2023, MV St. Jhudiel, collided with LCT Poseidon 23 in Mactan Channel. There were no casualties.