針路

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 針路（しんろ） means the direction of travel or heading of a ship or similar craft.
• Basic usage: 針路を東へ変えた describes changing direction; 針路を保った describes maintaining the chosen heading.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A different word with the same reading
  • 進路 is also read しんろ but has broader uses for routes and educational or career paths. 針路 focuses on a heading, as with the ship in the examples.