Malaysia Airlines Search Vessel MH370 Begins To Be Deployed To The Indian Ocean

UNSPLASH/Yong Chuan Tan ILLUSTRATION

The ship that will search for the lost Malaysia Airlines MH370 aircraft has been deployed to the search zone in the Indian Ocean.

In December 2024, Malaysia agreed to continue its search for the Boeing 777 carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members while missing on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014.

However, Malaysia has not signed a contract to search for debris on the seabed, resulting in uncertainty over whether the search has begun.

When contacted by Reuters, US exploration company Ocean Infinity, which conducted the aircraft's last search which ended in 2018, said it had no information to provide at this stage.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Malaysia had not signed a contract with Ocean Infinity.

Namjun welcomed the company's 'proactiveity' to deploy its ships to the area to start the search.

"Because Ocean Infinity has started deploying its ships, of course we welcome it because we have given principle approval so that the search can continue and just complete its contract," Loke said in a press conference reported by Reuters, Wednesday, February 26.

However, the search will not be open. There is a certain period of time given for the contract.

"These are the details we need to finish before we sign them," continued Loke.

Refinitiv's tracking data shows one of the Ocean Infinity vessels, Fleet 78 06, began tracking on Sunday in the southern part of the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 km (1,200 miles) off Australia's west coast.

Ocean Infinity's proposal to continue the search will expand the previous search area by 15,000 square km (5,790 square miles) in an effort that lasted for 18 months, with the January to April period offering the best time, Malaysia said in December.

No exact location from the new search area was given at the time.

Ocean Infinity "strongly believes that the current search area is more credible. This is the area they missed in the past," added Loke.