Malaysia Extends Ocean Infinity Contract for MH370 Deep-Sea Search

The Cabinet approved a one-year renewal of the Ocean Infinity agreement, running 1 July 2026–30 June 2027. The “no-find, no-fee” contract authorises search of the remaining 7,428.54 km² (2,868 sq mi) in the southern Indian Ocean, with a US $70 million (RM 284.5 million) payment only if wreckage is located.

Malaysia extends search for MH370 for another year, keeping families’ hopes alive

On 8 March 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, a Boeing 777-200ER carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew (239 people), disappeared after leaving Kuala Lumpur for Beijing. Satellite data placed the aircraft in the southern Indian Ocean. A multinational search costing about US $200 million found no wreckage. Ocean Infinity conducted a private search in 2018 without success and signed a 15,000 km² (5,800 sq mi) agreement with Malaysia in 2022.

Search for missing flight MH370 extended for another year as mystery baffles expertsMalaysia extends search for MH370 for another year, keeping families’ hopes aliveGovt extends deal with Ocean Infinity for MH370 wreckage searchMH370 wreckage search pact enables team to complete exploration of focus area

Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced the renewal for the Cabinet. Ocean Infinity, a UK deep-sea firm, will operate the vessels. The Malaysian Transport Ministry issued the statements.

Malaysia extends search for MH370 for another year, keeping families’ hopes alive

The extension covers the second half of the 15,000 km² target zone, still unsearched. Ocean Infinity’s primary assets will be redeployed to other contracts from November 2026 to April 2027; the vessels will resume sonar sweeps in the calmer season. The “no-find, no-fee” clause keeps the $70 million fee contingent on discovery.

MH370 wreckage search pact enables team to complete exploration of focus area

Cabinet members said the renewal continues the government’s “continuous and unwavering commitment” to provide closure for the families of the 239 victims. The Transport Ministry stressed that the agreement keeps all existing terms, including the contingent payment and asset redeployment to honor Ocean Infinity’s other contracts. Officials noted the November-to-April window offers the safest conditions for deep-sea work.

MH370 wreckage search pact enables team to complete exploration of focus area

Finding the aircraft would end one of aviation’s longest-standing mysteries and give definitive answers to the relatives of the 239 passengers and crew. The effort also yields data for future long-range flight-tracking and deep-sea recovery protocols.

Search for missing flight MH370 extended for another year as mystery baffles experts

• “This decision is a manifestation of the government's continuous and unwavering commitment to provide a closure for the next of kin of the passengers aboard flight MH370.” — Anthony Loke, Transport Minister

Search for missing flight MH370 extended for another year as mystery baffles experts

• “This extension maintains all key terms and conditions of the existing agreement, including the application of the ‘no find, no fee’ principle,” — Malaysian transport ministry

MH370 wreckage search pact enables team to complete exploration of focus area

• “However, a payment fee of US$70 million (RM284.5 million) will be paid to Ocean Infinity if the wreckage of flight MH370 is successfully found,” — Anthony Loke, Transport Minister

Govt extends deal with Ocean Infinity for MH370 wreckage search

Ocean Infinity will redeploy its vessels in November 2026, conduct sonar sweeps of the remaining sector, and report results to Malaysian authorities by April 2027. A confirmed find would trigger the $70 million payment; otherwise the search ends.

Malaysia extends search for MH370 for another year, keeping families’ hopes alive