Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation

"Supercat" redirects here. For William Maragh, the originator of the late 1980s and early 1990s dancehall movement, see Super Cat. For the comic book character, see Streaky the Supercat. For ferries based in Sydney, Australia, see Sydney Ferries.
Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation
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, commonly known as SuperCat, was a shipping company that operated a fleet of High Speed Catamarans (HSC) in the Philippines. It is now part of 2GO Travel, subsidiary brand of the 2GO Group.[1] Supercat was the sister company of SuperFerry and Cebu Ferries. Supercat operated 7 vessels in 7 ports around the Philippines.

Brief history

Interior of Supercat 32, one of the newer ships in the fleet, bound for Cebu City

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, 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 added routes throughout the Visayas Region. Fast craft became popular in the Philippines. 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] Supercat also 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 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.[2]

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][4]

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.[5]

Destinations [6]

Current Destinations

A Supercat Ticket Booth in Batangas Port
A Supercat Ticket Booth in Calapan Port
Supercat's Original Route (Batangas - Calapan)

Active Routes [6]

Fleet

The Supercat fleet was mainly composed of high-speed catamarans, but they also owned monohulled vessels.[7]

Supercat 22 docked at International Port of Batangas, Philippines
The bridge of a Supercat vessel
Evacuation Plan
Supercat Safety Video [8]
Supercat 23 cruising along Batangas Seas
Supercat 25 docked at Calapan Pier, Philippines
Supercat 32 docked at Tagbilaran Port, Philippines
Supercat 30 Aerial Shot
Supercat 32 passing under Marcelo Fernan Bridge in Cebu

Vessels

St. Nuriel (formerly Supercat 22)

St. Nuriel used to be SuperCat 22 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. She is currently serving the Batangas - Calapan route.

St. Uriel (formerly SuperCat 23)

St. Uriel was the only high speed monohull vessel in the Supercat fleet. She uses a simple propulsion system and her fuel is efficient. She also offers an open deck accommodation at a more affordable price. She is in Cebu awaiting her fate after news that she was sold.

St. Sealthiel (formerly SuperCat 25)

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 very fuel efficient. She was renamed as M/V Smart in Korea, before ending up with Supercat Fast Ferry Corp. She is serving the Batangas - Calapan route.

St. Emmanuel (formerly SuperCat 26)

SuperCat 26 used to be 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. She is serving the Bacolod-Iloilo route in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.

St. Jhudiel (formerly SuperCat 30)

St. Jhudiel used to be SuperCat 30, 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 serving the Cebu - Tagbilaran route.

St. Braquiel (formerly SuperCat 32)

St. Braquiel used to be SuperCat 32, 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 serving the Cebu-Ormoc route.

St. Benedict (formerly SuperCat 36)

St. Benedict, formerly known as SuperCat 36 and Blue Fin, is one of three Sydney JetCats purchased in 1990 for the Manly service to replace hydrofoils. She operated from Manly to Circular Quay from 1990 until 2008 before being sold to Supercat.[9][10] She uses a KAMEWA waterjet-propulsion and her maximum service speed can reach up to 31 knots.[11]

St. Dominic (formerly SuperCat 38)

Supercat 38 docking at Tagbilaran Port, Philippines

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.[9] She uses a KAMEWA waterjet-propulsion and her maximum service speed can reach up to 31 knots.[11]

Former vessels

Formerly Supercat 5 and Supercat 7, now in Croatia
Supercat 7 in Supercat's Altered Original Livery. The Livery was partially modified to reflect the Sea Angels Merger
Former Supercat Vessels

Trivia

Supercat 6, smallest Supercat vessel
Supercat 3
Supercat 2001 (formerly TriCat 50)
Supercats in Philippine Flag Livery

See also

References

External links

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