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.
