Method and apparatus for coating a pipe or a pipe section with a layer of at least one polymer. The method includes providing the pipe or the pipe section having an outer surface defining the periphery of the pipe or the pipe section; applying on the outer surface of the pipe or pipe section a layer of at least one polymer material in melt stage using a nozzle, which is mounted on a carriage capable of travelling along the periphery of the pipe or the pipe section; and moving the carriage along at least a part of the periphery during the application of the polymer material to form a layer on the surface of the pipe or the pipe section that is particularly useful for coating field joints in pipelines.