No luck for Ocean Infinity in latest hunt for MH370

The search was being conducted under a “no find, no fee” agreement struck between Malaysia and Ocean Infinity in 2025.

“In total, 28 operational search days were undertaken across both phases following the signing of the agreement, resulting in the survey of approximately 7,571 square kilometres of seabed within the defined search area,” the AAIB’s statement read.

“Ocean Infinity has indicated that additional survey activities were undertaken within the broader search area before the formal signing of the agreement in March 2025, to support the search operation.

“As of this update, the search activities undertaken have not yielded any findings that confirm the location of the aircraft wreckage.”

Ocean Infinity was part of a previous search in 2018, which lasted from January to June of that year without success. The latest search area encompassed regions of the sea bed not covered in prior missions, including those conducted with the ATSB.

Based from deep-water support vessel Armada 7806, the Ocean Infinity team deployed autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to scan the sea floor for signs of the missing 777-200ER, which disappeared after veering off course from a flight between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing in March 2014.

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In a press release, Oliver Plunkett, Ocean Infinity’s CEO, said it was important for the company to “take advantage of every piece of information and data available and go back”, but confirmed it had not met with success on the latest expedition.

“The scale of the challenge both geographically and technologically is almost impossible to comprehend. We’re proud to have brought our expertise and the most advanced technology we’ve ever deployed,” he said.

“The combination of scientific rigour, automation techniques, robotics, and greater organisational experience meant this search was carried out with a level of precision and speed unimaginable in 2018.

“I hope those around the world for whom this mattered know that, even though we don’t have the outcome we wanted, a large number of people did the very best they could.”

According to Plunkett, the company has spent more than 150 days at sea and covered over 140,000 square kilometres of seafloor since 2018.

“We’re deeply grateful for the support of the families, the Malaysian Government, the Australian Government, and the many companies and individuals who dedicated time and effort because they cared and wanted to help.

“If nothing else, we can say with confidence that it isn’t where we looked. That matters – it brings clarity, and it will help those continuing to study the evidence refine their thinking and shape future search strategies.

“Although this phase of the search has concluded, our commitment has not. We’re continuing to work with the Malaysian Government in the hope of being able to return when circumstances allow.”

Voice 370, a group representing surviving family members of MH370 victims, has urged the Malaysian government in a statement not to abandon the search.

“The government pays nothing unless the aircraft is found. Any request by Ocean Infinity to extend the search contract should therefore be granted without hesitation,” the group said.

“If the present search is unsuccessful, we would also urge Malaysia to kindly consider extending similar no find, no fee opportunities to other capable deep sea exploration companies.”

Ocean Infinity’s contract runs until June, but the search vessel has reportedly been redeployed for other work and is unlikely to return to the survey area soon.