MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. The failure of piping was the cause of seawater ingress to the hold of Iran-flagged Caspian Shiva ship that ran aground near the Caspian seaport of Makhachkala, head of the Russian Federal Agency of Maritime and River Transport Andrey Tarasenko told reporters.

"Her pipes malfunctioned," Tarasenko said.

The ship is already back in operation, the official noted. "Everything was pumped out, everything was done and mended, our specialists helped," he added.

The rescue operation for the Iranian vessel was completed, the press service of the Makhachkala Commercial Seaport reported earlier. The crew was doing well and the ship was safely berthed.