| Type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ferry Services |
| Founded | Aboitiz(1994) |
| Headquarters | Supercat Terminal Pier 4, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, Philippines |
| Website | http://www.supercat.com.ph/ |
The Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation (Supercat) is a shipping company that operates a fleet of High Speed Catamarans (HSC) in the Philippines and is part of the transport and logistics service arm of Aboitiz & Company (ACO), which is fully owned by the Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV).[1] Supercat is the sister company of SuperFerry & Cebu Ferries. Supercat is currently operating 7 vessels in 7 ports around the Philippines.
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Batangas - Calapan route is one of the active, important and profitable shipping routes in the Philippines. During the early 90s, the route was dominated by a giant shipping company. Travelling during those days could take up to 3 hours and be uncomfortable. In 1994, Rodolfo G. Valencia (RGV), former governor of Oriental Mindoro, invited the Aboitiz group to ply the route. His intention was to bring a more convenient 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 expanded routes to the Visayas Region. Fast craft became popular in the Philippines by then. In 1997, Sea Angels (owned by Negros Navigation) merged with Aboitiz Equity Ventures and Hong Kong Park View Holdings to form the Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation.[2] Together with this, Supercat acquired 2 vessels from Waterjet Shipping Corporation (owned by Waterjet Netherlands Antilles). They renamed it as Supercat 17 (former Waterjet 1, currently FastCat Ryde) and Supercat 18 (former Waterjet 2, currently FastCat Shanklin).[3] The merger had eventually dissolved in 2002. Now solely owned by Aboitiz, the abolition of the WG&A merger soon unraveled. Supercat sacrificed some of its vessels including their corresponding routes, in order to sustain its fast craft operations. Together with this, Supercat downsized its employee size from 200 to just 100 employees.[2]
At present, Supercat is currently owned by Aboitiz, as part of the Aboitiz Transport System (ATS).
The Supercat fleet is mainly composed of High Speed Catamarans, but they also own monohulled vessels. All Supercat vessels are fully air-conditioned. They feature airline-type seating, a mini-canteen, and an onboard entertainment system.[5]
From the 1990s to early 2000s, all Supercat vessels were jet-powered. Due to economic problems, Aboitiz was forced sell ships reducing an original fleet of fourteen down to just seven.[2][6]
To cope with the soaring fuel prices, Supercat started replacing their previous fleet with more fuel-efficient vessels. At present, all jet-powered Supercat HSC vessels were replaced by more fuel efficient vessels using a simple propulsion system.[7]
Supercat Vessels have high safety standards. All Supercats are equipped with sophisticated navigational aids such as night vision cameras, life jackets, and inflatable life rafts.[5][8] A safety demonstration video is presented to the passengers which includes proper wearing of life jackets and other necessary dos and don'ts on board.[8] At present, all Supercats are accredited by the International Safety Management (ISM)[5] Some of their vessels are also certified by the Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Supercat has a clean safety record.
Supercat 22 is formerly 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 very fuel efficient. In July 2010, she was added a second deck.
Supercat 23 is the only high speed monohull vessel in the Supercat fleet. She uses a simple propulsion system and is fuel efficient. She also offers an open deck accommodation at a more affordable price. She is currently serving the Batangas - Calapan route.
Supercat 25 is formerly 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 very fuel efficient. She was renamed as M/V Smart in Korea, before ending up with Supercat Fast Ferry Corp. She is currently serving the Bacolod-Iloilo route in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.
SuperCat 26 is the former 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.
Supercat 30 is formerly one of Elbe City Jet's catamaran. She was named Hanseblitz from 1996–2001 and 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 for elite passengers. This vessel was built by Lindstol Skips, in Risor Norway. Unlike the other Supercat vessels, this vessel is equipped with controllable pitch propellers as its propulsion system. Supercat 32 is her sister ship. She is currently serving the Cebu - Ormoc route.
Supercat 32 is formerly one of Elbe City Jet's catamaran. She was named Hansepfeil from 1996–2002 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 for elite passengers. This vessel was built by Lindstol Skips, in Risor Norway. Unlike the other Supercat vessels, this vessel is equipped with controllable pitch propellers as its propulsion system. Supercat 30 is her sister ship. She is currently serving the Cebu-Ormoc route.
Supercat 36 is formerly known as Blue Fin and one of the oldest (1990) and one of three JetCats (high speed catamarans) purchased for the run to Manly. The other two are Sea Eagle and Sir David Martin (Now Supercat 38), delivered in that order. They replaced the hydrofoils. She formerly served from Manly to Circular Quay from 1990-2008 before ending up with Supercat. She uses a KAMEWA waterjet-propulsion and her maximum service speed can reach up to 31 knots. Supercat 38 is her sistership. She is currently serving the Batangas - Calapan route together with her sister Supercat 38.
Supercat 38 is formerly known as Sir David Martin and one of the oldest (1990) and one of three JetCats (high speed catamarans) purchased for the run to Manly. The other two are Sea Eagle and Blue Fin (Now Supercat 36), delivered in that order. They replaced the hydrofoils. She formerly served from Manly to Circular Quay from 1990-2008 before ending up with Supercat. She uses a KAMEWA waterjet-propulsion and her maximum service speed can reach up to 31 knots and she is 34.8 metres long. Supercat 36 is her sistership. She is currently serving the Batangas - Calapan route
