Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation

SuperCat Fast Ferry Corporation, commonly branded as SuperCat, is a Philippine shipping company that operates high-speed catamarans serving inter-island passenger routes. Its business developed around the need for faster and more comfortable sea travel between major Philippine ports, particularly across routes where conventional ferry journeys were lengthy and uncomfortable. The company began operations in 1994 on the Batangas–Calapan route, an important connection between southern Luzon and Mindoro. Its pioneer vessel, M/V SuperCat 1, reportedly completed the crossing in about 45 minutes, providing a substantially faster alternative to the service available at the time. The business originated under Universal Aboitiz Inc. and later expanded beyond the Batangas–Calapan corridor into the Visayas. In 1997, Sea Angels, a fast-ferry business associated with Negros Navigation, merged with Universal Aboitiz and Hong Kong Park View Holdings to create Philippine Fast Ferry Corporation. During this period SuperCat expanded its fleet and acquired two vessels from Waterjet Shipping Corporation, subsequently naming them SuperCat 17 and SuperCat 18. The company’s ownership and fleet strategy changed during the early 2000s. The 1997 combination was dissolved in 2002, leaving SuperCat under Aboitiz ownership. Economic pressure, including rising fuel costs, led to a reduction in the fleet and workforce. The company moved away from its earlier emphasis on waterjet-propelled vessels and introduced more fuel-efficient craft using simpler propulsion systems. This reduced operating costs but also lengthened some journey times, with crossings that had previously taken approximately 45 minutes increasing to at least an hour. SuperCat also operated a small number of monohull fast craft in addition to catamarans. SuperCat has used distinctive vessel liveries and local advertising to build recognition in the Philippine market. Some vessels received a Philippine-flag-themed livery during the Philippine Centennial celebrations. The company also produced television advertising featuring Sharon Cuneta, although the campaign’s distribution was primarily local and onboard rather than a broad international brand program. A significant corporate transition occurred after Negros Navigation acquired Aboitiz Transport System in 2012. SuperCat’s vessels were temporarily incorporated into 2GO Travel, and the brand subsequently became associated with the 2GO Group. Chelsea Logistics & Infrastructure Holdings Corp. began acquiring an indirect interest in SuperCat in 2016 and assumed management that year. In 2019, Chelsea acquired SuperCat from the 2GO Group through the Dennis Uy-led Udenna Group structure. SuperCat remains a domestic maritime transport brand focused on scheduled high-speed ferry services in the Philippines. Public reference material describes a fleet of approximately ten to eleven high-speed catamarans operating through several Philippine ports, although fleet counts can vary by date and by whether inactive or auxiliary vessels are included. The company’s historical fleet has included vessels that were later sold or transferred to operators in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Its operating identity is built around inter-island connectivity, relatively rapid crossings, and the use of high-speed passenger craft in a geographically fragmented archipelago.

SuperCat emerged in 1994 as a fast-ferry response to the slow and uncomfortable maritime service then operating on the Batangas–Calapan route. Rodolfo G. Valencia, governor of Oriental Mindoro, invited the Aboitiz Group to establish a faster connection. Under Universal Aboitiz Inc., M/V SuperCat 1 began operating the route and reduced the crossing time to roughly 45 minutes. The operator expanded into the Visayas as high-speed craft became more popular in the Philippines. In 1997, Sea Angels, Universal Aboitiz, and Hong Kong Park View Holdings formed Philippine Fast Ferry Corporation. SuperCat also acquired two Waterjet Shipping Corporation vessels and renamed them SuperCat 17 and SuperCat 18. The corporate combination was dissolved in 2002, after which SuperCat became solely owned by Aboitiz. During the early 2000s, the business contracted its fleet and workforce in response to economic difficulties. The fleet reportedly declined from fourteen vessels to seven, while employee numbers fell from approximately 200 to approximately 100. Fuel-price pressure encouraged a transition from waterjet propulsion to more economical vessels with simpler propulsion systems. The change reduced fuel consumption but increased some travel times. SuperCat also operated monohull fast craft, including vessels identified as SC 20, SC 21, and SC 23. The company developed a separate terminal and docking area in Calapan after the loss of SuperCat 1. SuperCat later faced legal action over the imposition of an additional terminal fee associated with that facility and was required to remove the charge. The private facility was eventually demolished after a larger public terminal opened in 2010. SuperCat also used a Philippine-flag-themed livery on selected vessels for the Philippine Centennial and ran localized promotional activity, including an advertisement featuring Sharon Cuneta. Ownership changed materially in 2012 when Negros Navigation acquired Aboitiz Transport System. SuperCat’s vessels were briefly absorbed into 2GO Travel, and the brand later returned as part of the 2GO Group. Chelsea Logistics & Infrastructure Holdings Corp. acquired an indirect 28.15 percent interest in SuperCat in 2016 and assumed management. In 2019, Chelsea acquired the business from 2GO Group through the Udenna Group structure. The fleet has changed repeatedly through sales, transfers, and vessel losses. Former SuperCat vessels have entered service with operators in countries including Croatia, Italy, South Korea, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Netherlands, and French Polynesia. The operating fleet has been described in public reference material as comprising approximately ten to eleven high-speed catamarans serving several Philippine ports. SuperCat’s core role remains the provision of domestic high-speed passenger ferry services across the Philippine archipelago.

• 2023

  Mactan Channel collision

  [1]Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  MV St. Jhudiel collided with LCT Poseidon 23 in the Mactan Channel; no casualties were reported.

• 2020

  St. Nuriel capsizes in Batangas

  [1]Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The St. Nuriel capsized in Batangas port during Typhoon Rolly.

• 2019

  Acquisition by Chelsea Logistics

  [1]Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Chelsea Logistics acquired SuperCat from the 2GO Group through the Udenna Group structure.

• 2016

  Chelsea Logistics assumes management

  [1]Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Chelsea Logistics acquired an indirect interest in SuperCat and took over management.

• 2012

  Temporary integration into 2GO Travel

  [1]Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  After the acquisition of Aboitiz Transport System by Negros Navigation, SuperCat’s vessels were temporarily incorporated into 2GO Travel.

• 2010

  Replacement of the Calapan private terminal

  [1]Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  A larger public terminal opened in Calapan, after which SuperCat’s exclusive terminal was eventually demolished.

• 2002

  Return to sole Aboitiz ownership

  [1]Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  The earlier merger was dissolved and SuperCat became solely owned by Aboitiz.

• 1997

  Formation of Philippine Fast Ferry Corporation

  [1]Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Sea Angels, Universal Aboitiz, and Hong Kong Park View Holdings combined to form Philippine Fast Ferry Corporation.

• 1994

  Launch of SuperCat 1 on the Batangas–Calapan route

  [1]Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  Universal Aboitiz introduced M/V SuperCat 1 on the Batangas–Calapan connection, offering a crossing of approximately 45 minutes.

• 1994

  Loss of SuperCat 1

  [1]Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org

  SuperCat 1 sank near Verde Island. Passengers were rescued and no casualties were reported.

A domestic Philippine fast-ferry operator positioned around quicker inter-island travel using high-speed catamarans.

• Passenger transportation · 1994

  High-speed catamaran ferry services

  SuperCat’s principal offering is scheduled domestic passenger transportation using high-speed catamarans. The service is designed for inter-island travel between Philippine ports and historically emphasized substantially shorter crossings than conventional ferry alternatives. The fleet has included both waterjet-propelled craft and later vessels selected for improved fuel economy.

• Inter-island ferry route · 1994

  Batangas–Calapan service

  The Batangas–Calapan route was SuperCat’s founding service and remains the clearest expression of its original value proposition: a faster maritime connection between southern Luzon and Mindoro. The pioneer service reduced the crossing to about 45 minutes before later fleet changes resulted in longer scheduled journey times.

• 1998Philippine Flag Livery

  Philippines

  Selected SuperCat vessels were repainted in a Philippine-flag-themed livery in connection with the Philippine Centennial commemorations.

  Outcome. The livery served as a commemorative brand treatment; no performance results are reported.

  Source
• Sharon Cuneta television advertisement

  Philippines

  SuperCat used Sharon Cuneta in a localized television advertisement filmed in Batangas City and Calapan. The advertisement was reportedly shown onboard and through local cable channels in selected areas, including Roxas in Oriental Mindoro and Iloilo City.

  Outcome. The reference material does not provide measured commercial results.

  Source

• 2019

  Acquisition by Chelsea LogisticsM&A

  Background

  Chelsea Logistics had acquired an indirect interest and assumed management of SuperCat in 2016.

  Action taken

  Chelsea Logistics acquired SuperCat from the 2GO Group through the Udenna Group structure.

  Aftermath

  SuperCat became part of Chelsea Logistics’ Philippine maritime transportation portfolio.

  Source

• 2012

  Integration into the 2GO Group structureM&A

  Background

  Negros Navigation acquired Aboitiz Transport System, changing the corporate ownership context for SuperCat.

  Action taken

  SuperCat vessels were temporarily incorporated into 2GO Travel, after which the SuperCat brand was re-established within the 2GO Group.

  Aftermath

  The business later moved to Chelsea Logistics ownership.

  Source

• 2000

  Shift toward more fuel-efficient vesselsStrategy

  Background

  Economic difficulties and rising fuel prices increased pressure on the fast-ferry business.

  Action taken

  SuperCat reduced its fleet and replaced waterjet-powered craft with vessels using more economical propulsion systems.

  Aftermath

  Operating costs were targeted for reduction, but some journey times increased from approximately 45 minutes to at least one hour.

  Source

1. 1Supercat Fast Ferry Corporationen.wikipedia.org