A vessel with a hull and a propulsion unit

The propulsion unit comprises a hollow strut (21) rotatably attached to the hull of the vessel, a propeller shaft (41) having an axial centre line (X-X) and being positioned and supported in the lower portion of the strut with bearings (51, 52), a propeller (80) being attached to at least one end of the propeller shaft protruding from the lower portion (23) of the strut , and an electric motor (30) driving the propeller shaft. An additional support arrangement (110, 120) is positioned at least in one end portion of the propeller shaft axially outwards from the bearings. The support arrangement comprises a first support surface (110) formed in connection with the propeller shaft and a second support surface (120) mating with the first support surface and being formed in connection with the lower portion of the strut. The second support surface is positioned at a predetermined distance (D1) from the first support surface so that a slot (S1) is formed between the first and second support surface facing towards each other. The bending of the propeller shaft due to external loads acting on the propeller is restricted to a predetermined maximum value with the support surfaces.