COW stands for Crude Oil Washing. It is the process in which the crude oil is used to wash the tanks while the cargo is being discharged which in turn increases the total output of the cargo. The main advantages of the COW are -

1. Reduces risk of pollution
2. Enhances the ship's cargo carrying capacity as lesser slops are carried
3. Better quantity of refined oil is discharged
4. Results in lesser time for tank cleaning during the voyage
5. Results in lesser cost of de sludging
6. Lesser corrosion in tanks due to non usage of SW
7. Better output of cargo discharged