Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation

Origins

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 (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]

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.[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".

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.[5][6] At the time Mr. Uy was chairman of the 2GO Group.[5]

Vessels

Former vessels

• 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)[12]
• 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[13])
• SuperCat 5 (sold to Croatian Shipping Company Jadrolinija, renamed as Judita[13])
• 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[13])
• SuperCat 8 (sold to Croatian Shipping Company Jadrolinija, renamed as Dubravka[13])
• 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,[14] Renamed as FastCat-Ryde. Sold to Alien Shipping, renamed as Sochi-1)
• SuperCat 18 (sold to Wightlink for use between Portsmouth and Ryde,[15] 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] 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[16]) (Sold to undisclosed buyer on August 19, 2021 for PHP 2.5 million.)[17]