Sylvester Stallone turned a Russian cargo vessel into a shooting area of his new action drama “The Expendables."

The “Igarka” vessel belongs to a port in the Russian Far East, and was in Rio de Janeiro for repair works. The crew onboard the cargo didn’t take part in the shooting that lasted two days.

According to Yuri Senkin, who represented the interests of the ship-owner during the repair works, the 62-year-old Hollywood star is in “perfect shape.”

Stallone has written the script for “The Expendables," is directing it, and plays one of the leading parts. The film focuses on a team of mercenaries heading to South America in order to overthrow a local dictator. It features Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, Dolph Lungren, and Mickey Rourke.

Shooting will take place in some of the major cities around the world. “The Expendables” is due to be released in April 2010.