Archipelago Philippines Ferries Corp. (APFC), operator of FastCat, expects to add two brand new ships to its fleet this year and is on track with its target of having 30 vessels by 2030.

In a statement, AFC said that the fleet expansion will allow the company to cover more routes and reach the farthest islands of the Philippines, the company stated as it marks its 20th year of operation this month.

Currently, the shipping company has eighteen custom-built Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) Catamaran vessels serving major ports in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

APFC was incorporated in 2002 and initially operated as Maharlika for 11 years until 2013 when it underwent a rebrand.

In 2004, the government invited the firm to be part of the Road-RORO Terminal System-Strong Republic Nautical Highway project of the government.

APFC upgraded its fleet in 2010, when it partnered with Australia-based Sea Transport Solutions to acquire ten RO-RO vessels.

APFC became the first local ferry company to operate catamaran-type Ro-Ro vessels and was involved in the modernization of Philippine ports in the eastern and western sea corridors.

Before the pandemic, the company planned to establish its presence in the Central Visayas market, connecting Palawan to Luzon by linking the province to Mindoro, which in turn will be connected in Batangas.

APFC also planned to open Southeast Asian routes to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

APFC experienced a 90 percent plunge in sales and operations during the pandemic as passenger and cargo movement were restricted.

However, its flagship brand, FastCat, continued servicing the rolling cargo.

"After having surpassed many challenges in the past two decades, including the pandemic, APFC looks forward to continue to serve customers and local communities for many more years," the company stated.