By
Lindsay James |
For an operator serving one of the world’s largest archipelagic nations, standing still has never been an option. Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC), under its flagship brand FastCat, continues to pursue its long-stated ambition of operating 30 vessels by 2033-2035 – but chairperson Mary Ann Pastrana is clear that the goal is about more than expanding fleet size.
“Rather than simply adding more vessels, our focus is on building the next generation of ferries that are smarter, cleaner and more efficient,” she says.
The company is currently designing its future newbuilds, incorporating hybrid technology and sustainability features suited to Philippine domestic operations. To get there, FastCat is working with an international roster of partners, including Green Bay Marine of Singapore, Nakashima Propellers of Japan, Japanese engine manufacturers and a global leader in electrification and energy efficiency. “Our objective is to build vessels that are future-ready while continuing to provide safe, reliable and affordable transport for our passengers, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the International Association of Classification Societies,” says Pastrana.
Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation’s flagship brand is FastCat (Photo: APFC)
That expansion, Pastrana argues, is about far more than commercial growth. With more than 7,600 islands to connect, fleet modernisation feeds directly into the Philippine Maritime Industry Development Plan and the country’s wider economic development. “Every investment is guided by our values: pro-God, pro-country and pro-people first, alongside our commitment to be ferry safe, ferry fast and ferry convenient,” she explains.
Beyond new vessels, the company is investing in digitalisation – improved ticketing systems, data-driven operations and private port facilities designed to make island-to-island journeys faster and more seamless.
None of these projects will work, Pastrana says, without the right people behind them. FastCat has expanded its learning management system to include artificial intelligence literacy across the organisation, anticipating that the technology will become a productivity tool not just in the office, but eventually in maritime operations too. On the water, APFC continues to develop cadet and crew skills through advanced simulator-based training using Kongsberg technology, giving seafarers a safe environment in which to build technical competence before stepping onboard. Internally, the company runs on the Entrepreneurial Operating System, a structure Pastrana credits with the organisational clarity and accountability needed to keep safety standards consistent across a growing fleet.
Workforce development also underpins how FastCat is addressing the maintenance bottlenecks, inconsistent classification standards and skills shortages that Pastrana has previously flagged as risks to ferry safety across the region. The company has partnered with a local government unit to launch a maritime high school track within the Philippine public school system, contributing curriculum support and opening its vessels for student immersion. “We believe young people should experience maritime careers early if we want to inspire future seafarers, engineers and maritime professionals,” says Pastrana.
APFC is committed to developing its ferries and training its crew members to ensure it offers safe and comfortable services to passengers (Photo: APFC)
FastCat has also opened conversations with maritime schools and training institutions to build a stronger talent pipeline reaching beyond the domestic sector into the global maritime industry. “The future of ferry safety depends not only on better vessels and regulations but on investing in people,” explains Pastrana.
That belief in collaboration extends to Pastrana’s seat on the Interferry board, which she describes as both an honour and an invaluable learning opportunity. Bringing together operators, shipbuilders, classification societies and regulators from around the world, the association offers what she calls a rare willingness among peers to share openly across borders. “It feels very much like a family united by a shared commitment to safer, more sustainable ferry operations,” she says.
That family gathers this year for Interferry’s 50th Annual Conference, running from 31 October to 4 November in Bangkok, Thailand, under the theme ‘Stronger Than Ever… Together’. Pastrana plans to bring a Southeast Asian perspective on modernisation, digitalisation and decarbonisation, alongside a call for the policy consistency she believes underpins long-term investment. “Ferry operators can only make long-term investments in modern vessels, digital technologies and sustainable solutions when the regulatory environment is stable, predictable and aligned with global best practices,” she says. “As we celebrate Interferry’s 50th anniversary, there has never been a better time to come together and help define what the next 50 years of ferry transportation will look like.”
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