Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMEX), an ocean exploration pioneer engaged in the discovery, development, and extraction of strategic minerals that provide solutions to global challenges, today expressed strong support for the newly announced cooperation between the United States (U.S.) and the Cook Islands to advance scientific research and the responsible development of seabed mineral resources.

“We commend the leadership of both the U.S. and Cook Islands governments in forging this innovative partnership,” said Mark Gordon, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Odyssey. “This partnership is not only a bilateral success—it’s a signal that the global approach to critical mineral supply chains is shifting. At Odyssey, we’re proud to support science-based, collaborative efforts to unlock the seabed’s potential, with a particular focus on phosphates for sustainable fertilizer and polymetallic nodules that supply key battery metals for the clean energy transition.”

Through its investments and service relationships with Ocean Minerals LLC and CIC Limited, Odyssey is active in advancing two of the three licensed exploration programs within the Cook Islands’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)—home to an estimated 12 billion wet tonnes of polymetallic nodules.

Drawing on decades of marine mineral expertise, Odyssey has collaborated with the Cook Islands government and stakeholders for over ten years, supporting both exploration initiatives and the development of a robust regulatory framework for seabed minerals. The Cook Islands has developed one of the world’s most comprehensive and responsible frameworks for deep-sea mineral governance—an achievement built through years of proactive engagement, strategic planning, and collaboration with technical and industry partners. In recent weeks, Odyssey deployed two Autonomous Benthic Mini Landers (ABMLs) to the Cook Islands. This cutting-edge technology is designed to collect environmental data at depths of 5,500 meters, which is critical to developing responsible mineral programs.

The Cook Islands–U.S. collaboration comes at a time when the United States is advancing a series of federal policy actions to unlock domestic offshore mineral potential and secure critical inputs for clean energy and infrastructure. Among these policy efforts is Executive Order 14285, which directs federal agencies to accelerate the responsible exploration and processing of seabed minerals on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Odyssey is recognized as qualified to acquire and hold a minerals lease by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) since 2021 and is ready and well-positioned to support this momentum.

About Odyssey Marine Exploration

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMEX) is a global leader in ocean exploration with over 30 years of experience. The company is committed to the sustainable and responsible discovery, validation, and advancement of seafloor critical mineral projects, including polymetallic nodules for battery metals and subsea phosphate deposits for fertilizers. Offering comprehensive research, marine operations, and regulatory compliance support, Odyssey works with governments and seafloor rights holders worldwide. Odyssey develops its projects in collaboration with a global network of partners, academics, and industry professionals who share its commitment to environmentally sound solutions for obtaining minerals that address present and future global challenges. Learn more at www.odysseymarine.com.

Forward Looking Information

Odyssey Marine Exploration believes the information set forth in this Press Release may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Certain factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are set forth in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2025. The financial and operating projections as well as estimates of mining assets are based solely on the assumptions developed by Odyssey that it believes are reasonable based upon information available to Odyssey as of the date of this release. All projections and estimates are subject to material uncertainties and should not be viewed as a prediction or an assurance of actual future performance. The validity and accuracy of Odyssey's projections will depend upon unpredictable future events, many of which are beyond Odyssey's control and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that Odyssey's assumptions will prove true or that its projected results will be achieved.

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"This partnership is not only a bilateral success—it’s a signal that the global approach to critical mineral supply chains is shifting. At Odyssey, we’re proud to support science-based, collaborative efforts to unlock the seabed’s potential," said Gordon.