Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation

Brief history

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.

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. SuperCat also acquired the 2 vessels of 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). 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.

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.

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.

Current Destinations

Active Routes

Fleet

The Supercat fleet was mainly composed of high-speed catamarans, but they also owned monohulled 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 currently in regular service on Batangas - Calapan route.

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

St. Dominic (formerly SuperCat 38)

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

Former vessels

Trivia