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A mathematical model for determining the optimum towing velocity of tabular icebergs is presented. The optimization problem is formulated in terms of a benefit function that takes into account the ice mass delivered and the total fuel consumption for the tow. Results indicate that the optimum towing velocity is mainly affected by the water-to-fuel cost ratio. It is shown that towing icebergs from Antarctica to South Africa is a profitable way of supplying fresh-water provided that the towing velocity is optimized with the proposed method.

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