Potential benefits of 5G communication for autonomous ships

5G, the next generation of mobile networks, aims to deliver wireless connectivity for new applications beyond traditional connectivity and mobile broadband for the smartphone market. For the maritime industry, 5G has the potential to address a wide range of usage scenarios within ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and onboard communication. In this paper, we give an introduction to mobile network technologies and systems in general, as well as an overview of technical capabilities and novelties introduced by the forthcoming 5G specifications relevant for maritime operations. Furthermore, perspectives related to applications and opportunities enabled by 5G networks are discussed, along with the potential benefits for unmanned and autonomous ships