AutoFlight's V2000CG Completes First Offshore Mission
The V2000CG completes 150-km flight to offshore platform in reported first for heavy-lift eVTOL logistics.
AutoFlight’s V2000CG CarryAll has completed a landmark flight to an offshore oil platform, marking what is claimed to be the first use of a 2-ton-class eVTOL for maritime logistics.
Announced August 3, the flight was conducted in coordination with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and CITIC Offshore Helicopter.
The uncrewed mission originated from a land-based vertiport in Shenzhen and concluded at the Huizhou 19-3 platform, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) offshore.
Total flight time was 58 minutes. The aircraft transported fresh food and emergency medical supplies.
AutoFlight noted that offshore platforms in the South China Sea have traditionally depended on ships requiring up to 10 hours per trip, or on more expensive crewed helicopters. The company said the successful eVTOL flight highlights the potential to reduce logistics time and cost while enhancing flexibility and sustainability. Video: AutoFlight
According to AutoFlight, the V2000CG completed VTOL and cruise flight evaluations under operational maritime conditions, including high salt-fog exposure, elevated humidity, and strong crosswinds.
The limited landing area on the offshore platform also served to validate the aircraft’s precision landing capability.
CITIC Offshore Helicopter, which has more than four decades of experience in general aviation and offshore operations, provided airspace coordination and mission oversight.
The company supported preflight planning, route validation, and integration with China's digital air traffic management systems, AutoFlight said.
CNOOC described the operation as part of a broader effort to integrate emerging low-altitude aviation technologies into offshore energy infrastructure.
In addition to logistics support, potential applications include rapid deployment of spare parts, offshore inspection, and emergency response.
The V2000CG is AutoFlight’s cargo-focused model, featuring a lift-plus-cruise configuration designed for medium-range logistics missions.
It has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) and a payload capacity of up to 400 kg (880 lb). The aircraft offers a range of 250 km (155 miles) and cruises at 200 km/h (124 mph).
On July 22, the V2000CG received its Airworthiness Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), following earlier approvals of its Type Certificate in March 2024 and Production Certificate in December 2024.
The V2000EM is the passenger version in the V2000 series, also employing a lift-plus-cruise design. It accommodates four passengers and one pilot, with a maximum takeoff weight of 2,200 kg (4,850 lb), and shares the same 250 km (155 miles) range and 200 km/h (124 mph) cruise speed as the cargo variant.
A firefighting configuration is also available, outfitted with four 100-kg (220-lb) suppressant canisters capable of covering an area of up to 800 m² (8,610 ft²).
The deal includes a letter of intent for 100 large eVTOLs, covering the V2000CG and the 5-seater V2000EM models.
The partnership aims to develop applications across offshore logistics, emergency rescue, and high-end tourism. Plans call for customizing offshore platform logistics for oilfields and expanding into low-altitude transport, emergency deliveries, and urban mobility.
The three companies also signed an agreement with Luohu City Development to establish a “low-altitude application ecosystem” centered on Wutong Pavilion—Shenzhen’s highest urban eVTOL vertiport—enabling aerial sightseeing and other services.
To learn more about China’s growing eVTOL sector, see the Chinese eVTOL Aircraft Directory published in Vertiflite, the magazine of the Vertical Flight Society.
Part 1, featured in the May/June 2025 issue, covers larger eVTOL designs with three or more seats or over 1 metric ton (2,200 lb) in capacity.
Part 2, published in the July/August 2025 issue, highlights smaller passenger and cargo eVTOLs with fewer than three seats or under 1 metric ton capacity.
Author’s note — China eVTOL News is running a special promotion this August, offering a 20% discount on subscription plans. The limited-time offer is a great opportunity to stay updated on the latest developments in China’s rapidly evolving eVTOL industry.