Malaysia has agreed in principle to resume the search for Malaysia Airlines' MH370, Reuters reported on December 20.
Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Malaysian Cabinet has agreed to continue the search for missing Malaysia Airlines MH370. The search is being conducted by Ocean Infinity.
The Malaysian Transport Ministry is discussing the final terms of the search for MH370 with Ocean Infinity. Negotiations on resuming the search for MH370 are expected to be completed by early 2025.
Mr. Loke also said that the new search was carried out on the principle of “no find, no fee”.
According to Bloomberg, Minister Loke said that the search will be conducted in a new area estimated to be 15,000 square kilometers in the southern Indian Ocean.
The search contract for MH370 by Ocean Infinity will last for 18 months and the Malaysian Judiciary is reviewing the search agreement with Ocean Infinity.
“The fee is 70 million USD if the plane is found,” Mr. Loke said at a press conference on December 20.
Ocean Infinity searched for MH370 in the Indian Ocean from 2017 to late 2018.
In March this year, the Texas-based company announced that it had found new scientific evidence about the final location of MH370.
In a separate statement to GB News earlier this month, Ocean Infinity said it had strengthened its understanding “of the location of MH370.”
Oliver Plunkett, CEO of Ocean Infinity, told People's Channel: "Since we left the southern Indian Ocean in 2018, our unwavering commitment to finding the missing aircraft and bringing answers to those involved has remained steadfast. In recent years, we have focused on enhancing our ocean search capabilities through advanced technology and robotics, allowing us to undertake some of the most complex and demanding underwater searches."
“In addition to our ongoing efforts, we have submitted a proposal to the Malaysian government and are actively discussing the possibility of resuming the search. By working with a range of experts, some external to Ocean Infinity, and conducting ongoing analysis, we have strengthened our understanding of the location of MH370,” he stressed.
"We are optimistic that with this renewed focus, increased resources and active engagement with the Malaysian authorities, a successful outcome may be within reach. We look forward to resuming the search and continuing our efforts to find answers," Ocean Infinity said.
Flight MH370 - a Boeing 777-200ER carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members - went missing 10 years ago while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014.
Over the past 10 years, the disappearance of MH370 remains one of the greatest mysteries in modern aviation history.
