After Over A Decade, Ship Begins Mission To Locate Missing Flight Wreckage

A decade after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared, a new search for the missing aircraft has begun. The vessel Armada 78 06, operated by U.S./UK-based marine exploration firm Ocean Infinity, has already reached the southern Indian Ocean to begin operations, despite Malaysia not yet finalising its contract for the mission.

On February 26, 2025, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that Ocean Infinity had deployed Armada 7806 to the new search zone.

According to MarineTraffic data, the ship is now operating over 1,000 miles off Australia’s west coast, within the designated search area.

Loke stated that Malaysia had given its approval in principle but had yet to sign a final contract. “Ocean Infinity has already mobilised its assets, which we welcome. However, the contract details must be finalised before signing,” he said in a press conference.

He also clarified that the search would not be open-ended. “There is a set timeframe that will be determined in the contract,” he added.

Armada 78 06 is an advanced deep-sea survey and exploration vessel equipped with cutting-edge autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

These AUVs are capable of mapping the ocean floor and detecting possible wreckage at extreme depths. The ship has been specifically tasked with scanning a new 15,000 square kilometer area in the southern Indian Ocean where experts believe MH370’s wreckage may be located.

Ocean Infinity previously used Seabed Constructor in the 2018 search, but Armada 78 06 is a newer, more advanced vessel. It is expected to operate within the search zone during optimal weather conditions between January and April.

The search is being conducted on a “no find, no fee” basis, meaning Ocean Infinity will only be paid $70 million if the wreckage is found.

The contract is expected to last 18 months. The vessel’s mission is based on updated analysis that suggests a high probability of finding the missing plane in this new location. Ocean Infinity has combined data from previous searches with advanced oceanographic studies to pinpoint this area.

Loke said that the company has confidence in its findings. “They have presented a combination of expert research, and this area is believed to be more credible than past search locations,” he explained.

The ship will deploy AUVs that will operate independently on the seafloor, scanning for debris. The collected data will then be analysed aboard Armada 78 06 before any major findings are reported to Malaysian authorities.

Flight MH370 disappeared on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board. The Boeing 777 lost contact with air traffic control and deviated from its planned route, heading into the Indian Ocean.

A massive search was launched, covering 120,000 square kilometres, but no wreckage was found at the suspected crash site. In 2018, Ocean Infinity conducted a separate search but was unable to locate the aircraft.

Over the years, debris from MH370 has washed ashore on African coastlines and Indian Ocean islands. However, the plane’s main wreckage remains missing, leaving many questions unanswered.

The deployment of Armada 78 06 has brought hope among the families of MH370 passengers. Grace Nathan, whose mother was on the flight, welcomed the search’s restart. “We have waited for so long. We just want answers,” she said.

References: Reuters, CBS News

Source: Maritime Shipping News