PUTRAJAYA: The deep-sea search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 will resume on Monday (Dec 30) this year.
In a statement, the Transport Ministry said marine robotics company Ocean Infinity has confirmed it will recommence seabed search operations for a total of 55 days.
The search will be conducted intermittently in targeted areas assessed to have the highest probability of locating the aircraft, in line with the service agreement signed between the Government of Malaysia and Ocean Infinity on March 25 this year.
The ministry said this latest development underscores the Malaysian government’s commitment to providing closure for the families affected by the tragedy.
In December last year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed Ocean Infinity would undertake the search on a “no find, no fee” basis, meaning the Malaysian government will not bear any costs if no wreckage is found.
If wreckage is discovered, the company is seeking payment of USD70mil, the same proposal made in 2018.
Flight MH370 departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for Beijing with 227 passengers and 12 crew before disappearing, becoming one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.
Malaysia, with China and Australia, previously searched 120,000 sq km in the southern Indian Ocean.
Ocean Infinity’s initial search in Jan 2018 covered a narrowed 25,000 sq km area but ended in June that year without success.
