AutoFlight, in strategic partnership with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and CITIC Offshore Helicopters, today announced the successful completion of the world’s first offshore oil platform cargo transport mission utilizing a 2-ton electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

AutoFlight’s CarryAll aircraft, the world’s first 2-ton eVTOL to receive comprehensive certification including Type Certificate, Production Certificate, and Airworthiness Certificate, executed a precision cargo delivery mission. The aircraft departed from a designated launch facility in Shenzhen carrying essential supplies including fresh provisions and emergency pharmaceuticals, completing a 58-minute trans-oceanic flight to the Huizhou 19-3 Oil platform, located 150 kilometers offshore.

The successful demonstration addresses longstanding logistical constraints in offshore energy operations. Traditional maritime cargo transport to CNOOC’s South China Sea platforms requires approximately 10 hours per transit, creating significant delays for critical supply deliveries and emergency response scenarios. While helicopter transport provides rapid deployment capabilities, operational costs remain prohibitively high for routine cargo operations.

“This flight represents the convergence of innovative aviation technology, proven operational expertise, and real-world offshore operational requirements,” said Ren Yongyi, Deputy Manager, Crisis Management & Operations Support Department, CNOOC China Limited Shenzhen Branch. “We have successfully demonstrated a comprehensive ‘development + operation + application’ framework for low-altitude economic implementation.”