The Indonesian National Shipowners Association (INSA) has threatened to stop carrying logs for both domestic and international destinations if the government does not repeal a regulation on the transportation of illegal timber.

A joint decree was issued recently by the Transportation Ministry, Forestry Ministry, Trade Ministry and Industry Ministry, stipulating that ships carrying illegal timber will be impounded.

INSA chief Oentoro Surya said last week that if the government insisted on enforcing the regulation, the local shipping industry would suffer massive losses.

"The ships are just a means of transportation. The authorities have no reason to confiscate them. All they need to do is unload and confiscate any illegal logs, not the ships," he said. "If they insist on (impounding ships), the INSA will stop carrying logs."

The joint decree was issued to replace a 2003 decree that required ships carrying illegal timber to unload the logs at the next port before being allowed to continue their journey.

Director General of Sea Transportation Hartsjarja Harijogi said the change had been made to bring the decree into line with the 1999 Forestry Law, which states that all parties involved in the transportation of illegal timber must be detained for investigation.

National Police spokesmen Bambang Kuncoko said the new decree was necessary to assist authorities in the fight against illegal logging.

However, Oentoro said he was skeptical about the effect of the decree, worrying it would give authorities the power to seize ships without a proper legal basis.

Transportation Minister Hatta Rajasa and National Police chief Gen. Sutanto are scheduled to discuss the matter next week.