China's homegrown eVTOL completes world's first cargo flight to offshore oil platform

(ECNS) -- China has achieved the world's first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) cargo flight from land to a marine oil platform in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province on Sunday, using a domestically developed aircraft, according to China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

The 2-metric-ton-class eVTOL is the world's first in its category to receive a type certificate, production license, and individual airworthiness certificate.

Carrying fresh fruit and emergency medical supplies, the eVTOL departed from a takeoff site in Shenzhen. After a 58-minute flight across the sea, it landed safely on the Huizhou 19-3 oil platform, located 150 kilometers offshore.

The successful mission demonstrated the capability of long-range, low-altitude delivery under real marine operational conditions.

The test flight was jointly conducted by Chinese companies CNOOC, CITIC COHC, and AutoFlight.

Ren Yongyi, a representative at the CNOOC Shenzhen branch, said that the trial flight integrated cutting-edge aviation technologies with real offshore needs, showcasing its potential application in emergency offshore cargo delivery, offshore facility inspections, and deterring unauthorized fishing activities.

(By Gong Weiwei)