More than a decade after its mysterious disappearance, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is set to be the subject of a renewed deep-sea search. Malaysia's transport ministry announced that Texas-based marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity will resume the hunt later this month for the Boeing 777 jet, which vanished without a trace on March 8, 2014.

The new search operation is operating under a "no-find, no-fee" contract, which Ocean Infinity signed with the Malaysian government in March. Under the terms of this agreement, the firm will only receive payment, specifically $70 million, if the wreckage of the missing aircraft is successfully discovered.

Ocean Infinity CEO Oliver Punkett had previously indicated last year that the company has significantly improved its technology since its initial seabed search in 2018, which yielded no results despite a similar contractual arrangement. The firm is reportedly collaborating with numerous experts to meticulously analyze data, which has enabled them to narrow down the search to the most probable location. Earlier this year, the company had restarted a seabed search operation in a new 5,800-square-mile site within the Indian Ocean after receiving approval from Malaysia's government, but this particular effort was suspended in April due to adverse weather conditions.

The tragic flight, carrying 239 people, predominantly Chinese nationals, departed from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, en route to Beijing when it disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff. Satellite data later revealed that the plane deviated from its planned flight path, heading south towards the far-southern Indian Ocean, where it is widely believed to have crashed. Despite an extensive and costly multinational search effort, no conclusive clues to its exact location were ever found, although small fragments of debris did wash ashore on the east African coast and various Indian Ocean islands. Beyond these minor pieces, neither the main wreckage nor any bodies have ever been recovered.

Malaysia's transport ministry issued a brief statement confirming that Ocean Infinity's search will be conducted intermittently, commencing on December 30, for a cumulative duration of 55 days. This operation will focus on targeted areas identified as having the highest likelihood of containing the missing aircraft. The ministry underscored that this latest development reflects the Malaysian government's unwavering commitment to providing closure to the families who have been profoundly affected by this enduring tragedy. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, also acknowledged and appreciated Malaysia's efforts in this ongoing quest.