But in October,Malaysia said it was in talks with Ocean Infinity to resume the search on a"no-cure,no-fee"basis,meaning the firm will only get paid if it finds the plane.
"Ocean Infinity is hopeful of receiving the final contract award for the resumption of the search for MH370 over the coming days,"a company spokesman said.
"With a relatively narrow weather window,we are moving the vessel,Seabed Constructor,towards the vicinity of the possible search zone. This is designed to save time should the contract award be forthcoming,as hoped,"he said.
Reuters shipping data showed the Seabed Constructor left Durban,South Africa,on Tuesday and was headed to Perth,Australia,where it is due on February 7.
Malaysia's Deputy Transport Minister Aziz Kaprawi said the government was negotiating final terms of the agreement with Ocean Infinity and he was not aware of the vessel's movement.
"We are in the final stages of the decision. On our part,we have yet to finalise the agreement,"he said.