UrbanLink Air Mobility, a pioneering South Florida-based advanced air mobility (AAM) operator, has entered into a partnership with Artemis Technologies, the leading manufacturer of all-electric seaborne 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 also 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.
Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Artemis Technologies is at the forefront of the maritime industry’s push towards decarbonization. Their revolutionary Artemis eFoiler® electric propulsion system, featuring a high-voltage battery energy storage system and ultra-high power density electric drivetrain, sets a new standard in maritime transport.
With a newly established office in New York, Artemis Technologies is now primed to enter serial production in the U.S. (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 of 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 of Artemis Technologies, emphasized the environmental and socio-economic benefits of this collaboration. “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.”
UbanLink is committed to creating smarter, more efficient, and 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 U.S. to integrate eVTOL aircraft into its fleet. In May, the company announced its partnership with Lilium, developer of the first eVTOL jet, to purchase 20 Lilium Jets with scheduled pre-delivery payments. UrbanLink has also announced partnerships with established 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.
