Company type | Private company |
---|---|
Industry | Ferry Services |
Founded | 1994 |
Headquarters | 2nd Floor Trans-Asia Bldg. Cor. M.J. Cuenco Ave. and Osmeña Blvd.,, , |
Area served | Philippines |
Parent | Chelsea Logistics & Infrastructure Holdings Corp. |
Website | online |
The SuperCat Fast Ferry Corporation, commonly known as SuperCat, is a shipping company that operates a fleet of high-speed catamarans (HSC) in the Philippines.
In 2019, Supercat was acquired by the Dennis Uy-led Udenna Group through its Chelsea Logistics & Infrastructure Holdings Corp. from the 2GO Group. [1] At the time Mr. Uy was chairman of the 2GO Group. [2] Mr. Uy's company had previously acquired an indirectly ownership of 28.15% of Supercat in 2016 and took over management of Supercat the same year. [2] Supercat was previously the sister company of SuperFerry, Cebu Ferries and 2GO Travel.
Supercat operated 7 vessels in 7 ports around the Philippines.[ when? ]
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 ]
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. [3] 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). [4] 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. [3]
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. [3] [5]
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. [6]
In commemoration of the Philippine Centennial, SuperCat repainted some of its vessels with a "Philippine Flag Livery"[ dead link ].
SuperCat has owned three (3) mono hull fast crafts, namely SC 20, 21] & 23.
Sharon Cuneta filmed SuperCat's TV Ad 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 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 use of their newly constructed exclusive terminal. SuperCat was then forced to remove the terminal fee.
In September 1994, M/V SuperCat 1 sank near Verde Island. There were no casualties. All passengers were rescued by another RORO vessel. There were suggestions that the vessel was sabotaged but it was not proven though.[ citation needed ]
The Supercat fleet was mainly composed of high-speed catamarans, but they also owned monohulled vessels. [8]
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. On October 26, 2020, St. Nuriel capsized in Batangas port during the wrath of Typhoon Rolly.
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 Bacolod - Iloilo route.
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 Bacolod - Iloilo route.
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 used to be SuperCat 30, one of Elbe City Jet's catamaran. She was named Hanseblitz from 1996 to 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. 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 - Ormoc - Cebu and Cebu - Tagbilaran - Cebu Route.
St. Braquiel used to be SuperCat 32, one of Elbe City Jet's catamaran. She was named Hansepfeil from 1996 to 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. 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. As of December 2018, she is currently serving in the Iloilo-Bacolod-Iloilo route.
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. [10] On October 26, 2020, St. Dominic capsized in Batangas port during the wrath of Typhoon Rolly.
In June 2017, Austal Philippines delivered the first of two 30-meter catamarans to SuperCat Fast Ferry Corporation, MV St. Camael. Each of the high speed ferries can carry up to 300 passengers, and can cruise at 25 knots. [11] In July 2017, St. Camael's sister ship, MV St. Sariel, was also delivered. [12] St. Camael commenced operations on the Cebu-Ormoc route, while St. Sariel serves the Cebu-Tagbilaran route.
As of May 2021, St. Camael is now serving the Iloilo-Bacolod route.
Shun Tak–China Travel Ship Management Limited, doing business as TurboJET, is a ferry company based in Hong Kong. The company was established from the joint venture between Shun Tak Holdings and China Travel International Investment Hong Kong in July 1999. It operates hydrofoil and high-speed ferry services between Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai in the Pearl River Delta area.
SuperFerry was one of the largest ferry companies in the Philippines before it was purchased by Negros Navigation, which simultaneously was purchased by the Chinese government through its private equity fund the China-Asean Investment Cooperation Fund, and became 2GO Travel, part of the 2GO Group.
Cebu Ferries was a shipping company based in Batangas City and Cebu City, Philippines. Its hubs were Batangas Port in Batangas and Pier 4 in Cebu City. It is now part of 2GO Travel.
Negros Navigation Co., Inc. (NENACO) was one of the oldest domestic shipping companies in the Philippines. It was also one of the largest companies in the passenger transport business in the Philippines. Its main hub was the renowned Pier 2 in Manila North Harbor. NENACO later merged with SuperCat, SuperFerry and Cebu Ferries to form 2GO Travel, the second largest Philippine shipping merger next to the William Lines-Gothong Lines-Aboitiz Shipping merger (WG&A) in 1996. At the same time, the China-Asean Investment Cooperation Fund, a private equity fund wholly owned by the government of the People's Republic of China through an equity infusion, gained a controlling interest in Negros Navigation and subsequently changed the company into the 2GO Group with 2GO Travel, its shipping-company subsidiary.
Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc. (MSLI) is a Philippine domestic shipping line based at Batangas City, Philippines. The office is located at Montenegro Corporate office, along Bolbok Diversion Road, Bolbok Batangas City. It operates passenger, cargo and RORO vessels to various destinations in the Philippines under the brands Montenegro Lines and Marina Ferries.
The Port of Iloilo in Iloilo City, Philippines, serves the province and city of Iloilo and the entire Panay Island, in Western Visayas of the Philippines. It is located away from the older port facilities on the Southern coast of Panay Island, in Panay Gulf, and one of the country’s safest and most natural harbors. Guimaras Island shields the port from violent storms and makes it ideal for harboring ships and vessels.
Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Inc. (CSLI) is a shipping line based in Cebu City, Philippines. It operates both passenger and cargo ferries on eight routes in the Visayas and Mindanao regions and is one of the youngest shipping companies in the Philippines.
Carlos A. Gothong Lines, popularly known as CAGLI and formerly once known as simply Gothong Lines, is a passenger and cargo ferry company based in Cebu, Philippines. CAGLI was formerly a part of WG&A SuperFerry, a company in January 1996 which served 23 major provincial ports throughout the Philippines and was the first domestic shipping company in the country to be certified by the International Safety Management Code standard. CAGLI, William Lines and Aboitiz Shipping formed was the biggest merger in the Philippine shipping industry.
HSC FastCat Shanklin is a high speed catamaran ferry which operated between the Isle of Wight and mainland England. She operated on the Wightlink Ryde Pier to Portsmouth route from 2000 to 2009 along with her sister ship HSC FastCat Ryde. Prior to working for Wightlink, the ship worked in Singapore and was named Water Jet 2. In 1999, the year before it was sold to Wightlink, its name was changed to Supercat 18.
HSC FastCat Ryde is a high speed catamaran ferry. The vessel was originally built in Singapore for service in the Philippines as Water Jet 1. She was bought by Wightlink in 2000 and following an extensive refit entered service on the Ryde Pier to Portsmouth route in August of that year along with her sister ship HSC FastCat Shanklin.
Roble Shipping Inc. is a Cebu-based shipping line located in Cebu City, Philippines. The company was founded by Jose Roble, a native of Danao, Cebu.
Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Incorporated (TASLI) is a shipping company based in Cebu City, Philippines. It was incorporated on March 25, 1974, under the name of Solar Shipping Lines, Inc. The Chairman of the company is Dennis A. Uy. Trans-Asia Shipping Lines is now managed by the Chelsea Logistics, Corp.
2GO or 2GO Sea Solutions, also known as 2GO Travel, is a passenger ferry company based in Manila, Philippines, the shipping and passenger ferry arm of 2GO Group, and the only remaining Manila-based major interisland passenger ferry company, with its main hub located in Pier 4 at the Manila North Harbor.
2GO also known as 2GO Group Inc. is a Philippines-based company engaged in transporting people and cargo using the fleet of inter-island ferries and cargo ships of the former Aboitiz Transport System, which owned the brands SuperFerry, Cebu Ferries and SuperCat—and Negros Navigation. The top two principal shareholders of the 2GO Group are SM Investments Corp, and Trident Investments. The company has the largest infrastructure in the Philippines with over 400,000 TEU capacity, 16 passage and freight vessels, 15,000 containers, 35 warehouses nationwide, 550 trucks, and 7,000 employees.
SRN Fast Seacrafts, Inc. which operates the Weesam Express ferry line, is a company based in Zamboanga City, Philippines that operates ferries throughout the country.
HSC Karolina is a high speed catamaran passenger ship owned by Croatian shipping company Jadrolinija. The ship was built by FBM Marinteknik of Singapore in 1989 as Estrala do Mar. She has five sisters, of which Dubravka, Judita, and Novalja were also bought by Jadrolinija. In 1995 she was renamed Supercat 3. In 2001 passed to Philippine Fast Ferry Corporation, and was managed by the Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation. Jadrolinija bought her in December 2004 and renamed to Karolina. The ship entered the service in May 2005, sailing on route Rijeka-Rab-Novalja.
MV St. Thomas Aquinas was a Philippine-registered passenger ferry operated by 2GO Travel. On 16 August 2013, the vessel collided with a cargo ship named MV Sulpicio Express Siete of Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation and sank. As of 3 September 2013, there were 108 dead and 29 missing with 733 rescued as a result of the accident.
Starlite Ferries is a passenger ferry company based in Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines owned and operated by Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp., a Manila-based logistics company. It mainly serves the provinces of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Aklan, Cebu and Surigao del Norte and is one of the leading ferry companies operating in the Mimaropa and Western Visayas regions.
OceanJet Fast Ferries, Inc. is a wholly owned Filipino corporation that operates high-speed crafts commonly known as OceanJet, serving destinations in the Visayas, Luzon region in the Philippines.