Over ten years after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, the Malaysian government has greenlit a renewed search effort. Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced on Friday that the Cabinet has approved a "no find, no fee" proposal from Ocean Infinity, a U.S.-based marine robotics company. This will be the second time the firm has undertaken the search for the missing aircraft, believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.

The new search area, spanning 15,000 square kilometers (5,800 square miles), was identified by Ocean Infinity using the latest data analysis and expert insights. Minister Loke expressed confidence in the company's proposal, emphasizing its credibility and the incorporation of cutting-edge information. The Boeing 777 disappeared from radar on March 8, 2014, shortly after departing Kuala Lumpur for Beijing with 239 people on board, primarily Chinese nationals. Satellite tracking indicated the plane veered off course toward the southern Indian Ocean.

Previous searches, including a costly multinational effort and Ocean Infinity's 2018 attempt, yielded no significant findings despite debris washing ashore on the East African coast and nearby islands. Under the new agreement, Ocean Infinity will receive $70 million only if substantial wreckage is located. Final negotiations are slated for early 2025, with the search likely to commence between January and April, considered the optimal timeframe. Minister Loke underscored the government's commitment to finding answers and providing closure for the families of the victims.

Ocean Infinity CEO Oliver Punkett has highlighted the company's technological advancements since the 2018 search. The firm has collaborated with experts to refine data analysis and pinpoint the most probable location of the wreckage.