"I don't think it is a very good idea. We will always do our part in picking people up - it is in our DNA, " said association secretary general Anne Steffensen, "but we don't think we should be part of the long term solution."

"It is a job for European governments and Triton (the EU border force control). We urge governments to spend the money on Triton rather than owners," she said at a briefing this morning in Copenhagen.

Steffensen says the Triton operation has helped merchant ship rescue numbers to level off since it was stepped up this summer. Merchant ship rescues rose to 131 in June from 114 in May but have steadied at 133 in August and 137 in September.

She adds that naval vessels are better equipped to pick up migrants in distress than merchant ships.