Page 52: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2023)

PHILIPPINE'S FASTCAT FERRIES “[Hong Kong mogul] Sir Gordon Wu came to our of? ce, and we also went to his of? ce in Hong Kong; he was interested to get into this business. He told me: ‘Mary Ann, as long as there's water, you have business.

The name of the game is ef? ciency.’

So I guess the challenge for us is ? nding that ef? ciency so that we strike a balance between pro? tability, connecting our islands, and providing reliable service.”

All photos on spread: Archipelago Philippine Ferries Company/FastCat public schools to WISTA – to attract and retain the seafarers it affect industries like agriculture, tourism and education.” needs to power its growth. Today the company carries about 70% rolling cargo and 30%

For the Pastranas it's about communication, starting in the passengers. Like the rest of the world, online shopping is im- early years to inform young students about the opportunities pacting package transport, and while in the U.S. it’s Amazon, in in maritime, and to the seafarers – sharing the company’s Vi- the Philippine Islands it’s Shopee or Lazada. “We carry those, sion 2050 plan – to discuss with them a career path that has as well as agriculture products plus ? sh, pork and chicken. But them, for example, starting in the Philippines, earning the looking to 2030, that 60 ships [projected growth] is not enough. international dollars for 10 years or so, but then eventually We have government of? cials coming to our of? ce, asking us to returning home to the local industry to share knowledge and connect certain islands. I always say, "I wish I could go to a deal- experience, improving the home market’s maritime sector. ership, walk in and buy a ship; but it doesn't happen that way.” “Finding people is not the problem,” as the Philippines has But the need is real, and the economic impact results of their more than its fair share that are willing and able to become sea- operation are proven and a point of satisfaction. “We want to farers. “But now, the challenge is in upskilling and reskilling help our country have that strong network of ferries that will them, getting them tech-savvy, improving their cognitive and connect our islands, because we see the ripple effect once the creative skills so that we become designers or we become ship islands are connected." managers” said Mary Ann. “It’s creating that conversation to For example, in 2004 when the company was just starting, it bring up the level of education and training.” was instrumental in connecting a part of Luzon, the big island, to Mindoro, which is not so big, and then to the next bigger is-

Blazing the Path land, Visayas. “This was in 2004, and the president of the Phil-

The Pastrana’s are quite adept at depending on themselves ippines boarded our ship to take that route. My husband has the to get things done, and as an operator of modern, safe ton- bragging rights that he was the ? rst to connect those two major nage in the Philippines, in many regards they are pioneers. islands.” But to the Patrana’s, it’s far more than bragging rights.

But being a ? rst-mover has its fair share of ups and downs, as “Before the connection, the islands were isolated and prop- she shares the company’s foray into online ticketing. “In some erty prices were low, no business establishments, no cargo areas, the local government will say, ‘Okay, it's peak season, movements. Once we connected the islands, it grew, and there the lines are long, therefore we're suspending buying tickets.' was a ripple effect when we built that major infrastructure.”

We ask: do you do this to the airlines? No, you don't. But how “We believe that we have a purpose and a mission. And come you get to do this to shipping ?" despite the dif? culties that we have undergone, that we still

But ultimately, the family sees itself doing its part, on a mis- undergo, we trust and believe that if we are very serious with sion to help its country. “We don’t only connect people, we our vision, it will all be for good.” 52 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • November 2023

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