Crude Oil Washing 3
Crude Oil Washing 3 : Crude oil washing (COW) is a system whereby oil tanks on a tanker are cleaned out between voyages not with water, but with crude oil - the cargo itself. The solvent action of the crude oil makes the cleaning process far more effective than when water is used. COW is mandatory on new tankers under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships (MARPOL 73/78)