The Arctic tanker Akademik Pashin will be floated out in April, RIA Novosti reported, citing Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov. Work is currently underway on the ship's propeller-rudder system, and the tanker is to be launched by the end of March 2016.

"The Arctic-class tanker Akademik Pashin will be floated out in April 2016," the deputy minister said.

Work on the ship will continue after it is in the water, RIA Novosti reported.

"The Arctic-class tanker Akademik Pashin of Project 23130, which is being built as an auxiliary ship at the Nevsky Shipyard, is more than 65 percent finished. We are planning the acceptance ceremony for late 2016 or early 2017," Bulgakov said.

General specifications: Overall length: 130 meters; overall width: about 21 meters; top speed: 16 knots; endurance 60 days; crew: 24 persons; and unlimited sailing area, in accordance with the ship's class under the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.