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

AutoFlight’s new system combines a “zero-carbon water vertiport” with eVTOL aircraft to expand air mobility across large water areas. By tackling challenges like limited site options, slow infrastructure deployment, and complex take-off and landing processes, the solution makes low-altitude transport more practical and scalable.

The water-based vertiport can be deployed quickly, offering a flexible alternative to traditional land-based hubs and helping move the low-altitude economy from concept to real-world operation. As the company outlines, the platform supports five key use cases: energy platform maintenance, emergency rescue, high-frequency commuting, marine–aerial tourism, and mobile vertiport clusters.

CATL-backed system aims to expand eVTOL infrastructure The system is made in collaboration with CATL, and is the eVTOL sector’s first integrated sea-air solution. The vertiport operates entirely on electricity, its wide deck doubles as a landing pad covered in solar panels, while the cabin functions as both a departure lounge and a technical control room.

Together, these elements create a flexible vertiport capable of supporting eVTOL takeoffs, landings, and charging. The system also enables intelligent coordination and data sharing with aircraft. The water-based vertiport supports multiple flagship eVTOL models, including the industrial “White Shark” the 2-ton cargo aircraft “CarryAll” and the 6-seat passenger craft “Prosperity” Combined, these vehicles and the vertiport create a fully integrated land–sea–air system, enabling fast point-to-point transport across diverse applications from cargo delivery to passenger commuting while expanding the reach and flexibility of low-altitude air mobility.

The first batch of systems has already been delivered to “early clients” marking the initial step toward broader low-altitude, water-based air mobility operations, The Global Times reported. Low-altitude system could halve maritime rescue response times Tests indicate that AutoFlight’s low-altitude system allows eVTOL aircraft to reach offshore platforms up to 93 miles away in under an hour over 10 times faster than conventional transport.

When paired with drones for initial searches, maritime rescue response times can be cut by more than half. In coastal bays and island regions, a 31-mile cross-sea trip takes roughly 20 minutes, with future fares projected at about $42, The Global Times adds.

Thus, AutoFlight’s sea-air integrated solution is expected to enter a rapid growth phase over the next three to five years, as the company looks to scale deployments. By 2030, the system could serve China’s major offshore wind farms, cover more than half of its key ports, and connect numerous coastal and riverside city clusters, offering faster, more flexible transportation across land and water.

China’s low-altitude economy is set for rapid growth. According to Chinese media, the Civil Aviation Administration of China projects the market will reach around $210 billion by 2025 and surpass $490 billion by 2035, fueled by rising demand for urban air mobility, offshore operations, and low-altitude transport solutions.