PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has agreed in principle to resume search operations for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 by Ocean Infinity, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
According to Loke, the Transport Ministry is discussing final terms with Ocean Infinity and it is expected to be finalised by early 2025.
Loke also said a “no find, no fee” principle has been laid out with Ocean Infinity.
He said the contract would be for 18 months and the Attorney General's Chambers is vetting through the agreement with Ocean infinity.
“The fee is US$70mil if the plane is found,” said Loke during a press conference on Friday (Dec 20).
Meanwhile, Loke said Ocean Infinity had proposed a new search area of 15,000 sq km in the southern Indian Ocean based on its latest data analysis.
“They are confident with the new proposed area,” said Loke.
Loke also said the Transport Ministry has scrutinised data presented by Ocean Infinity.
“They felt it is a credible lead and it is based on the research of many experts. Ocean Infinity of course took into consideration all findings by various researchers.
“So, this is another attempt to find MH370 and it is our commitment to the families, especially to the next of kin, that the government will continue this search,” said Loke.
Previously, Ocean Infinity had conducted searches in the Indian Ocean from 2017 until the end of 2018.
In March, the Texas-based firm claimed that it had found new scientific evidence on the last location of MH370.
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 went missing on March 8, 2014.
The plane, a Boeing 777-200ER, was en route from KL International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport in China.
However, it disappeared from radar screens less than an hour after take-off. There were 239 people on board; 12 of whom were crew members.
