CC BY 4.0Mahadevan, Hari SundarHari SundarMahadevanKumar, AshwaryaAshwaryaKumarBinne, LuisLuisBinne2025-12-082025-12-082025https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/500339https://doi.org/10.24406/publica-676110.1088/1742-6596/3123/1/01205410.24406/publica-67612-s2.0-105021214976This paper investigates the optimization of Automatic Identification System (AIS) message transmission for Virtual Aids to Navigation (VATONs) in maritime communication networks under challenging environmental conditions. The study addresses critical network bottlenecks by analysing the impact of path loss (a = 2 to 4.0) on communication reliability and evaluating opportunistic networking solutions, specifically Epidemic routing protocols, for enhanced message delivery. Using OMNeT++ simulations with 40 vessels across a 100km × 100km maritime area, we demonstrate that traditional shore-to-ship communication suffers significant degradation when path loss exponents exceed 2.8, with packet reception rates dropping below 20% at a > 3.2. Our research reveals that Epidemic routing can effectively address these connectivity gaps through ship-to-ship relay mechanisms, maintaining critical VATON position updates even when direct shore-based communication fails. The findings indicate that opportunistic networking achieves substantial improvements in message delivery rates under adverse conditions. This work presents a proof-of-concept demonstration of opportunistic networking principles in maritime environments, establishing a foundation for future field validation studies.entrueAISEpidemic RoutingMaritime CommunicationOpportunistic NetworksPath Loss AnalysisVATONjournal article