The EU has banned the use of anti-fouling chemical compounds on all ships' hulls from the beginning of next year.
Since 2000, the use of such compounds - used to keep the hulls of ships free of water organisms such as algae and molluscs - was banned on boats of less than 25 metres.
It is believed that the use of compounds are a major contributing factor in marine pollution and could enter the human food chain if their use is continued.
As a result, ships that are coated in the compounds will be prevented from entering or leaving EU ports.
The EU Enterprise Commissioner, Mr Erkki Liikanen, welcomed the new directive, noting that "the Commission is ready to act to ensure that chemical substances are used responsibly, by restricting their use where necessary to protect the environment on the basis of scientific evidence".
The new directive will significantly strengthens existing legislation, by banning the application of these compounds to all ships, irrespective of their length, from January 1st 2003.