Iranian Cargo Vessel Runs Aground In Caspian Sea After Mysterious Hull Breach

An Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, Caspian Shiva, ran aground near the Russian port of Makhachkala in the Caspian Sea after suffering a hull breach of unknown origin.

The incident occurred while the ship was en route from Amirabad, Iran, to Makhachkala, local media reports said.

The 116-meter-long vessel, with a deadweight of 3,344 tons, reportedly began taking on water in the engine room and cargo hold.

Emergency services stated that the crew pumped out water while awaiting assistance from two tugs dispatched by Rosmorport.

Several additional Russian tugboats were placed on standby due to worsening sea conditions, with waves reaching up to two meters.

Per reports, all ten crew members on board were unharmed. The vessel was later safely escorted into Makhachkala port and brought to a berth.

Caspian Shiva has a long operational history, having been built in 1986.

Since July 2024, it has sailed under the Iranian flag, after previously operating under Russian, Togo, Mongolian, Moldovan, and Belizean registrations.

Its last recorded inspection, conducted in Georgia in 2023, identified ten deficiencies.

The cause of the hull breach remains unclear. Media sources described it as a “mysterious breach,” and authorities have not issued official statements.

This incident marks the second reported accident involving an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea this month.

Separately, Ukrainian outlets noted increased activity by Ukrainian forces targeting maritime assets in the Caspian but did not attribute responsibility for this incident or the prior one to themselves.

The vessel is registered to the Iranian freight company PARS OBOUR PARS TRANS SHPG.

References: United24media, TASS

Source: Maritime Shipping News