Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation (SFFC)

"Supercat" redirects here. For William Maragh, the originator of the late 80's and early 90's dancehall movement., see Super Cat. For the comic book character, see Streaky the Supercat.

Not to be confused with Supercat of Sydney Ferries based in Sydney, Australia.

Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation

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). Supercat is the sister company of SuperFerry & Cebu Ferries. Supercat is currently operating 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 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.^{[citation needed]}

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. 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). 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.

At present, Supercat is currently owned by Aboitiz, as part of the Aboitiz Transport System (ATS).

Destinations

Current Destinations

A Supercat Ticket Booth in Batangas Port

A Supercat Ticket Booth in Calapan Port

Supercat's Original Route (Batangas - Calapan)

• Orion, Bataan
• Batangas City, Batangas
• Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
• Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
• Cebu City, Cebu
• Iloilo City, Iloilo
• Manila
• Ormoc City, Leyte
• Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Active Routes

• Batangas - Calapan v v. (1 hour 10 minutes)
• Cebu - Ormoc v v. (2 hours and 20 minutes)
• Cebu - Tagbilaran v v. (1 hour 45 minutes)
• Iloilo - Bacolod v v. (1 hour 15 minutes)

Fleet

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.

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.

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.

Supercat 22 docked at International Port of Batangas, Philippines

Inside a sophisticated bridge of a Supercat vessel

Evacuation Plan

Deployment of Life Rafts

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Supercat Safety Video

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

Safety Features Onboard

Supercat Vessels have high safety standards.^{[citation needed]} All Supercats are equipped with sophisticated navigational aids such as night vision cameras, life jackets, and inflatable life rafts. 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. At present, all Supercats are accredited by the International Safety Management (ISM) Some of their vessels are also certified by the Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Supercat has a clean safety record.^{[citation needed]}

Current Vessels

SuperCat 22

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

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

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

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 (Current flagship)

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

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

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

Supercat 38 docking at Tagbilaran Port, Philippines

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

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

• Supercat 1 (sank-off en-route to Calapan City, Mindoro)
• Supercat - I (sold to Emeraude Lines renamed as NORMANDIE EXPRESS, later renamed as Moorea Express)
• 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 )
• Supercat 5 (sold to Croatian Shipping Company Jadrolinija, renamed as Judita)
• 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)
• Supercat 8 (sold to Croatian Shipping Company Jadrolinija, renamed as Dubravka)
• 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, Renamed as FastCat-Ryde)
• Supercat 18 (sold to Wightlink for use between Portsmouth and Ryde, Renamed as FastCat-Shanklin )
• Supercat 20 (sold to South African Shipping Company FakoShip, renamed as Endurance)
• Supercat 21 (returned to her lessor )
• Supercat 2001/Tricat 50 (sold, renamed as SEA POWER 1)
• Supercat 2002 (sold to a Dutch Shipping Company, renamed as Tiger)

Trivias

Supercat 6, smallest Supercat vessel

Supercat 3

Supercat 2001 (formerly TriCat 50)

Supercats in Philippine Flag Livery

• Sometime in 1994, M/V Supercat sank off near Calapan City. There were no casualties. All passengers were rescued by another RORO vessel. There were speculations that the vessel was sabotaged. It was not proven though.
• Supercat 6 was the smallest Supercat vessel
• In commemoration of the Philippine Independence Centennial, Supercat repainted some of its vessels with a "Philippine Flag Livery".
• TriCat 50 was renamed as Supercat 2001.
• Supercat had already owned three (3) mono hull fast crafts (namely SC 20, 21 & 23) in its history.
• The brand "Supercat" was derived from two words, "SUPER" and "CATamaran"
• Sharon Cuneta filmed Supercat's TV Ad in both Batangas City and Calapan City. 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 in Calapan. The terminal was eventually demolished after a bigger and better public terminal was constructed in 2009.
• 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.
• The Catamaran Judita, formerly Supercat 5, is now labeled as the "Pope's Catamaran". Pope John Paul II rode Judita from Omišalj to Rijeka in his visit to Croatia

See also

• SuperFerry
• Montenegro Lines
• Cebu Ferries
• Negros Navigation
• Roble Shipping Inc.
• List of shipping companies in the Philippines

External links

• http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol10-2003/10-3/industry.htm
• http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation-warehousing/support/449102-1.html
• http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/09252008/shipping02.html
• http://www.supercat.com.ph/index.asp
• http://www.flickr.com/groups/psss/