AutoFlight, in strategic partnership with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and CITIC Offshore Helicopter Company, has completed the world's first offshore oil platform cargo transport mission utilising a two-ton eVTOL aircraft.

AutoFlight's CarryAll aircraft, the world's first two-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 km 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,” says Ren Yongyi, deputy manager, crisis management and operations support department, CNOOC China Limited Shenzhen Branch. “We have successfully demonstrated a comprehensive 'development + operation + application' framework for low-altitude economic implementation.”

The V2000CG CarryAll incorporates advanced lift and cruise configuration, delivering a typical range of 200 km, maximum velocity of 200 kilometres per hour and payload capacity of 400 kilogrammes. Operating within the challenging South China Sea environment, characterised by foggy conditions, high salt mist and humidity levels, and variable strong wind conditions, the CarryAll successfully demonstrated critical flight capabilities including precision vertical operations, stable hovering performance and extended trans-oceanic navigation.

“These results validate both the technical feasibility and operational reliability of large-scale eVTOL platforms for offshore energy sector applications,” explains Kellen Xie, senior vice president of AutoFlight. The aircraft's performance under demanding maritime conditions demonstrates the maturity of electric aviation technology for commercial deployment in complex operational environments.

CITIC Offshore Helicopter Company, being the largest helicopter operator in Asia, provided comprehensive operational support, leveraging over four decades of general aviation expertise to coordinate airspace management and safety protocols. The mission utilised China's first digital air traffic control tower, establishing new standards for eVTOL integration within existing aviation infrastructure. This collaborative approach ensured seamless execution while maintaining the highest safety standards throughout the operation.

The successful mission establishes a foundation for expanded eVTOL applications across offshore energy operations. These applications encompass efficient personnel transportation for crew rotation and emergency medical evacuation, rapid deployment of high-value components and emergency supplies, enhanced monitoring and maintenance capabilities through facility inspections, and accelerated response times for maritime incidents and emergency situations.

The demonstration has generated valuable insights for exploring new aircraft applications in offshore oil and gas production. With the continued expansion of the low-altitude economy and advancing eVTOL technology maturation, electric aviation solutions especially eVTOL are positioned to become innovative alternatives for offshore platform operations, significantly improving operational efficiency and safety standards.