Background In 2001, the remit of the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) extended from the industrial/manufacturing sector to cover other economic sectors, including public and private services that have an environmental impact. The move has opened up new opportunities for the shipping sector. Objectives The objective of the EMAS-SHIP project was to develop innovative methods for the environmental management of shipping companies and to support the implementation of the EMAS regulation in shipping companies. The project aimed to identify best practices and help the development of a model and technical manual with specific tools for implementing EMAS. Results The project succeeded in implementing, validating and revising an eco-management system in accordance with EMAS regulation for the shipping company, Deiulemar. It also developed a methodological model for implementing EMAS that can be transferred to other shipping companies. Other long-term results of the project include the drawing up of the technical manual for implementing EMAS. This manual includes several specific tools such as organisational schemes, check lists, an environmental matrix and performance indicators, general outline of the manual. Such tools are useful for other companies wanting to implement EMAS. The beneficiary also produced an analysis of existing tools for environmental management and the benefits of EMAS. It also showed how to integrate an eco-management system in shipping companies that have already applied such tools.