MH370 recovery prep but no new evidence

Almost one year since MH370 disappeared and with no indication of whether the wreckage will be found, the Australian government is preparing for a recovery operation.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which is heading the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, has asked companies to express interest in aiding the recovery of any aircraft wreckage.

The bureau wants to hear from organisations that can supply equipment and expertise to help recover the wreckage so it can assess suitability.

However, in 11 months of combing the southern Indian Ocean, officials have found no evidence of the plane that disappeared enroute from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers onboard.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss says despite that, preparations are being made so a recovery operation can be "mobilised quickly and effectively when needed".

About 16,000 square kilometres - or 26 per cent - of the "priority area" seafloor has so far been searched.