KUALA LUMPUR: Exactly eleven years after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished with 239 people on board, the families of the missing passengers and crew have renewed hope for closure as a new search mission is set to begin.

MH370 family support group Voice370 released a statement on the anniversary of the vanishing, expressing gratitude for the Malaysian government’s approval of a new “no find, no fee” search by private exploration company Ocean Infinity.

“One year ago, at our 10th Remembrance Event, our hopes of solving this mystery were buoyed by Ocean Infinity’s new offer to conduct another ‘no find, no fee’ search.

“It made our remembrance event meaningful, bringing renewed hopes for closure.

“We would like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts made by Transport Minister Anthony Loke to obtain the necessary Federal Government approvals and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his cabinet for providing the consent for Ocean Infinity’s search,” the statement on Saturday (March 8) read.

The group said despite the prior extensive searches by the Australian, Chinese, and Malaysian governments, and then by Ocean Infinity, there has been no trace of MH370, except for the floating debris that has been recovered over the years from the shores of the Western Indian Ocean.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ocean Infinity for their proactive decision to start mobilising to the proposed search area.

“The commencement of a new search is imminent as the contract between Ocean Infinity and the Malaysian government is about to be signed,” said the group.

They added that they respectfully urge both the government and Ocean Infinity to consider a pragmatic approach in finalising the contract.

“We family members have endured the loss of our loved ones on MH370 in 2014 and are still waiting for a credible explanation for the loss of this aircraft and the passengers. We hope that it will help bring closure,” it said.