🔍 Key Concepts

• Azipod propulsion combines an electric motor in a steerable pod under the hull • How steering is accomplished on vessels with azimuthing pods vs. conventional shaft–rudder setups • Difference between controllable-pitch propellers (CPP) and fixed-pitch propellers, and whether Azipods must use CPP

💭 Think About

• Picture where the Azipod unit is mounted and how it moves: does it turn up and down, or around vertically like a swivel chair? • Ask yourself: on a ship with Azipods, do you still see a separate rudder blade behind the propeller? What does that tell you about how the vessel is steered? • Consider whether the propeller pitch has to be adjustable for the system to work, or if thrust direction alone can provide control

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify how an azimuthing pod actually rotates (around which axis) • Check whether vessels with Azipods normally have a separate rudder installed • Confirm if Azipod designs are limited to controllable-pitch propellers only, or if fixed-pitch is common