Chinese firm launches water-based eVTOL vertiport to boost low-altitude transport

Chinese company AutoFlight, in collaboration with battery maker CATL, has launched the eVTOL sector’s first integrated sea-air solution featuring a water-based “zero-carbon” vertiport designed to enhance low-altitude transport across large water areas. This innovative system addresses challenges such as limited site availability, slow infrastructure deployment, and complex takeoff and landing procedures by offering a rapidly deployable, flexible alternative to traditional land-based vertiports. It supports multiple flagship eVTOL models—including the industrial “White Shark,” the 2-ton cargo “CarryAll,” and the 6-seat passenger “Prosperity”—creating a fully integrated land-sea-air transport network suitable for applications like energy platform maintenance, emergency rescue, high-frequency commuting, and marine-aerial tourism. The system has already been delivered to early clients and is expected to significantly improve maritime operations, with tests showing eVTOL aircraft can reach offshore platforms up to 93 miles away in under an hour—over ten times faster than conventional