Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation
 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (November 2009) |
| File:SC Logo new.png | |
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ferry Services |
| Founded | Aboitiz(1994) |
| Headquarters | Pier 4, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City , |
| 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. Supercat is part of the integrated transport and logistics service arm of Aboitiz & Company (ACO), which is fully owned by the Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) [1]. Supercat is the sister company of SuperFerry & Cebu Ferries . Supercat is currently operating 5 vessels in 7 ports around the Philippines.
Brief History
Batangas - Calapan route is one of the most important and profitable shipping routes in the Philippines. However, the route was monopolized by the famous RORO shipping company "Viva Shipping Lines". During those days, time travel between Batangas and Calapan could take up to 3 hours. Travelling during those days
can get really uncomfortable. It was believed that the monopoly in the route worsens the situation. In 1994, Rodolfo G. Valencia (RGV), former governor of Oriental Mindoro, invited the Aboitiz group to invest in the route. RGV's intention was to stop the monopoly in the shipping industry[2], and let the people of Mindoro (Mindoreños) experience a new faster and safer way of sea travel. When Supercat was first introduced in Batangas, it received good feedback. Using jet-powered catamarans, travel time between Batangas and Calapan was only approximately 45 minutes.
Supercat expanded routes to the Visayas Region. Fast crafts became popular in 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 [3]. Together with this, Supercat acquired 2 vessels from Waterjet. They renamed it as Supercat 17 (former Waterjet 1) and Supercat 18 (former Waterjet 2)[4]. The merger had eventually dissolved in 2002. Now being 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 [3].
At present, Supercat is currently owned by Aboitiz, taking part with the integrated Aboitiz Transport System (ATS).
Destinations [5]
Current Destinations
- Batangas City, Batangas
- Bacolod City
- Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
- Cebu City, Cebu
- Iloilo City
- Ormoc City, Leyte
- Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Active Routes [5]
- Batangas - Calapan v v. (1 hour)
- 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 started to own monohulled vessels. All Supercat vessels are fully air-conditioned. They also feature airline-type seating, a mini-canteen, and an onboard entertainment system [6].
During the 1990s to early 2000s, all Supercat vessels were jet-powered. The economic problems faced by the Philippines gravely affected Supercat. As a result, Aboitiz was forced sell ships in order to sustain the company [7]. Aside from Aboitiz, many Philippine companies suffered as well. From an original fleet of fourteen (14), Supercat is now down to just five (5) [3].
Supercat started the re-fleeting of their vessels in order to cope up with the soaring fuel prices. Their re-fleeting strategy is to replace 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[8].
Safety Features Onboard
Supercat Vessels have high safety standards. All Supercats are equipped with sophisticated navigational aids, such as Night Vision Cameras[10], for navigation during nighttime. In case of an emergency at sea, all passengers are provided with a life jacket located under each seat. In addition to this, Supercats are also equiped with inflatable life rafts just in case there's a need to abandon ship[9]. To disseminate the safety evacuation procedures, a safety demonstration video[9] is presented to the passengers. The Safety Demonstration Video 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)[11]. Some of their vessels are also certified by the Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Up to present, Supercat has a clean safety record.
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. She is currently serving the Batangas - Calapan route together with Supercat 23.
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 together with Supercat 22.
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.
Supercat 30
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. Like the other Supercat vessels, this vessel also uses a simple propulsion system. Supercat 32 is her sister ship. They are both stationed at Cebu, servicing either Tagbilaran or Ormoc.
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. Like the other Supercat vessels, this vessel also uses a simple propulsion system. Supercat 30 is her sister ship. They are both stationed at Cebu, servicing either Tagbilaran or Ormoc.
Former Vessels
- Supercat (sank-off en-route to Calapan City, Mindoro)
- Supercat - I (sold to Emeraude Lines renamed as NORMANDIE EXPRESS, later renamed as Moorea Express)[12]
- Supercat 2 (unknown fate)
- 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 (unknown fate)
- 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)
- Supercat 18 (sold to Wightlink for use between Portsmouth and Ryde [15], Renamed as FastCat-Shanklin )
- Supercat 20 (sold to South African Shipping Company FakoShip, renamed as Endurance)
- Supercat 21 (returned to her lessor [16])
- Supercat 2001/Tricat 50 (sold, renamed as SEA POWER 1)
- Supercat 2002 (sold to Netherlands, renamed as Tiger)
Trivias
-->
- 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 rival shipping company "Viva Shipping Lines" was responsible for the tragedy. It was not proven though.
- Supercat 6 was the smallest Supercat vessel
- The original livery of Supercat is an exact copy of Turbocat's old livery, a HSC ferry in HongKong.
- 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.
- 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
References
- ^ http://www.supercat.com.ph/about.asp
- ^ http://mb.com.ph/node/174194
- ^ a b c http://www.philippinebusiness.com.ph/archives/magazine/vol10-2003/10-3/industry.htm
- ^ http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Wightlink2.html
- ^ a b http://www.supercat.com.ph/destinations.asp
- ^ http://www.supercat.com.ph/aboutus_ourfleet.asp
- ^ http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation-warehousing/support/449102-1.html
- ^ http://www.supercat.com.ph/fullstory.asp?id=31
- ^ a b c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUXCNCpjZU0
- ^ http://www.supercat.com.ph/aboutus_ourfleet.asp
- ^ http://www.supercat.com.ph/aboutus_ourfleet.asp
- ^ http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/oregrund_1988.htm
- ^ a b c d http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Jadrolinija6.html
- ^ http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/FastCat-Ryde.html
- ^ http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Wightlink2.html#anchor45501
- ^ http://www.supercat.com.ph/fullstory.asp?id=31