 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transport |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | 2F Trans-Asia Bldg, Osmeña Blvd corner M. J. Cuenco Ave, , |
Area served | Philippines |
Key people | Dennis Uy (Chairman) Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy (President & CEO) Shane Anthony G. Arante (General Manager) |
| Parent | Chelsea Logistics & Infrastructure Holdings Corp. |
| Website | supercat chelseatravel |
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
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] 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]
Growth
SuperCat added routes throughout the Visayas Region. High-speed crafts became popular in the Philippines.[citation needed] 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"[dead link].
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]. 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] 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]
Routes
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 |
Fleet
The SuperCat fleet is composed of 11 high-speed catamarans, but they also owned monohulled vessels.[7]
Vessels
| Name | IMO | Built | Entry of service to the Philippines | Tonnage | Length | Breadth | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Sealthiel | IMO number: 9227091 | 2000 | 180 | 28 m (92 ft) | 8.5 m (28 ft) | 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 | IMO number: 8745589 | 1998 | 2011 | 175 | 25 m (82 ft) | 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 | IMO number: 9056210 | 1992 | 229 | 32 m (105 ft) | 8 m (26 ft) | 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 | IMO number: 9135717 | 1996 | 2008 | 184 | 27.7 m (91 ft) | 9.24 m (30.3 ft) | 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. | 
|
| St. Braquiel | IMO number: 9135705 | 1992 | 293 | 27.94 m (91.7 ft) | 9.24 m (30.3 ft) | 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. [1] St Jhudiel is her sister ship. | 
| |
| St. Dominic | IMO number: 8911815 | 1990 | 2008 | 238 | 34.8 m (114 ft) | 10 m (33 ft) | 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 | IMO number: 9822920 | 2017 | 272 | 31 m (102 ft) | 9 m (30 ft) | 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 | IMO number: 9822918 | 2017 | 272 | 31 m (102 ft) | 9 m (30 ft) | |||
| St. Micah | IMO number: 9005443 | 1990 | 2015 | 447 | 38 m (125 ft) | 11 m (36 ft) | She was first known as M/V Silangan Express 1. later acquired by SuperCat in 2019. | |
| Sprint 1 | IMO number: 9882695 | 2019 | 2020 | 249 | 40.6 m (133 ft) | 6.2 m (20 ft) | 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
- 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]
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.
See also
- Montenegro Lines
- Starlite Ferries
- Oceanjet
- Roble Shipping Inc.
- List of shipping companies in the Philippines
References
- ^ a b c An assessment of Year One of the Aquino administration (30 June 2011), philippinebusiness.com.ph Archived 2009-08-07 at the Wayback Machine (archived from the original Archived 2009-06-29 at the Wayback Machine on 2011-07-22).
- ^ "Wightlink Ferry Postcards & Photographs". www.simplonpc.co.uk.
- ^ SuperCat attacks Philippine ferry standards (May 1, 2005), allbusiness.com (archived from the original on 2008-03-19),
- ^ a b SuperCat buys new vessel for $1.7M (October 17, 2007), supercat.com.ph. (archived from the original Archived 2009-03-19 at the Wayback Machine on 2009-03-19).
- ^ a b "2GO exits fastcraft business, sells SuperCat to Chelsea". Ventures Cebu. October 11, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ Gonzales, Iris (October 15, 2019). "Chelsea takes over 2GO's SuperCat ferry". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ "SuperCat - SuperFerry Travel and Leisure - Our Fleet". Archived from the original on November 3, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
- ^ Manly Jet Cat Sea Eagle living in Kazakhstan Yacht & Boat 29 June 2011
- ^ Jet Car Withdrawal and Manly Fast Ferry Commencement NSW Ministry of Transport
- ^ "Passenger Express 30". philippines.austal.com. December 7, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ "Austal Delivers Second High Speed Passenger Ferry to 2GO Philippines". www.austal.com. July 2, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
- ^ "M/S ÖREGRUND (1988)". archive.is. September 5, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b c d "Jadrolinija - Page 6: Fast Ferries". www.simplonpc.co.uk.
- ^ "FastCat-Ryde - Wightlink - Ferry Postcards & Photographs". www.simplonpc.co.uk.
- ^ "Wightlink Ferry Postcards & Photographs". www.simplonpc.co.uk.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/PSSSOfficial/photos/a.2422791538043456/2422791808043429/?id=1403534549969165
- ^ pp40 | Information Statement - Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. PSE Electronic Disclosure Generation Technology (EDGE) 14 March 2023
External links
- Aboitiz Transport sale: hard decision after marking 100 yrs (archived from the original on 2009-06-26)
- http://www.supercat.com.ph/index.asp
