Azimuth thruster
![Siemens Schottel azimuth thrusters](/Images/godic/202412/22/Siemens_Schottel_Propulsor5829.jpg")
![Azimuth thrusters on the tug Oued el Kebir - note the Kort nozzles](/Images/godic/202412/22/Oued_el_Kebir-IMG_93465830.jpg")
![The BPC Dixmude manoeuvering in Jounieh bay; the wake at the aft is perpendicular to the ship, indicating the use of her azimuth thrusters.](/Images/godic/202412/22/BPC_Dixmude5830.jpg")
An azimuth thruster is a configuration of marine propellers placed in pods that can be rotated to any horizontal angle (azimuth), making a rudder unnecessary. These give ships better maneuverability than a fixed propeller and rudder system.