UrbanLink Air Mobility, a pioneering South Florida-based advanced air mobility (AAM) operator, has entered into a partnership with Artemis Technologies, the manufacturer of all-electric sea vessels.
As part of the agreement UrbanLink will purchase 20 Artemis EF-12 Escape crafts, a zero-emission luxury water taxi, with plans to operate in designated locations in Florida, California and the Caribbean. The partnership includes an option to operate the larger Artemis EF-24 passenger ferry in the future. UrbanLink’s sea craft service launch date is slated for the first quarter of 2026.
UbanLink is committed to creating efficient carbon-free transportation systems that enhance connectivity and sustainability in South Florida and beyond. With its eVTOL entry into service expected by Summer 2026, UrbanLink is poised to be the first provider of all electric, zero emission AAM solutions and the first airline in the US to integrate eVTOL aircraft into its fleet. The company is purchasing 20 Lilium Jet eVTOL craft and has announced partnerships with vertiport developers, Ferrovial Vertiports and Skyway Technologies, to strategically place vertiports in key markets. Currently, UrbanLink is focused on providing eVTOL flight operations in Miami/South Florida, Los Angeles/Southern California, and the Caribbean, with plans for additional destinations underway.
Belfast, Northern Ireland-based Artemis Technologies has developed a zero-carbon, electric hydrofoiling system. the Artemis eFoiler, which features a high-voltage battery energy storage system and ultra-high power density electric drivetrain, for its current 12- and 24-passenger ferry designs. With a newly established office in New York, Artemis Technologies hopes to enter serial production in the US (in compliance with the Jones Act), to meet the rising demand for CO2 reduction and electrification solutions across the transport sector.
Ed Wegel, Founder and Chairman UrbanLink, said: “The Artemis EF-12, and eventually the EF-24, are integral to our strategy. These highly efficient, zero emissions crafts will seamlessly integrate with our eVTOL route network, enhancing our operational capabilities in our designated markets. We plan to deploy these crafts along both Florida coasts, as well as from San Juan to various destinations in Puerto Rico and inter-island routes.”
David Tyler, Co-Founder Artemis Technologies, added: “Port-adjacent communities often bear the brunt of maritime operations’ environmental and health impacts. Our zero-emission vessels are designed to mitigate these effects. By eliminating harmful emissions, reducing water pollution, and operating more quietly than traditional diesel engines, we are contributing to a healthier future for all. This partnership with UrbanLink is a significant step towards improving air and water quality, reducing noise pollution, and creating economic opportunities in port communities.”
Image: Artemis EF-12 Escape water taxi (source: Artemis Technologies)
