diff --git a/apps/sbc/RegisterCache.cpp b/apps/sbc/RegisterCache.cpp
index 561309fa..71519bc3 100644
--- a/apps/sbc/RegisterCache.cpp
+++ b/apps/sbc/RegisterCache.cpp
@@ -671,7 +671,7 @@ bool RegisterCache::findAEByContact(const string& contact_uri,
 
 int RegisterCache::parseAoR(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 			     const AmSipRequest& req,
-                             msg_logger *logger)
+                             const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
   if(ctx.aor_parsed)
     return 0;
@@ -698,14 +698,14 @@ int RegisterCache::parseAoR(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 
 int RegisterCache::parseContacts(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 				  const AmSipRequest& req,
-                                  msg_logger *logger)
+                                  const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
   if(ctx.contacts_parsed)
     return 0;
 
   if ((RegisterDialog::parseContacts(req.contact, ctx.contacts) < 0) ||
       (ctx.contacts.size() == 0)) {
-    AmBasicSipDialog::reply_error(req, 400, "Bad Request", 
+    AmBasicSipDialog::reply_error(req, 400, "Bad Request",
 				  "Warning: Malformed contact\r\n", logger);
     return -1;
   }
@@ -715,7 +715,7 @@ int RegisterCache::parseContacts(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 
 int RegisterCache::parseExpires(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 				 const AmSipRequest& req,
-                                 msg_logger *logger)
+                                 const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
   if(ctx.expires_parsed)
     return 0;
@@ -723,7 +723,7 @@ int RegisterCache::parseExpires(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
   // move Expires as separate header to contact parameter
   string expires_str = getHeader(req.hdrs, "Expires");
   if (!expires_str.empty() && str2int(expires_str, ctx.requested_expires)) {
-    AmBasicSipDialog::reply_error(req, 400, "Bad Request", 
+    AmBasicSipDialog::reply_error(req, 400, "Bad Request",
 				  "Warning: Malformed expires\r\n", logger);
     return true; // error reply sent
   }
@@ -733,7 +733,7 @@ int RegisterCache::parseExpires(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 
 bool RegisterCache::throttleRegister(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 				      const AmSipRequest& req,
-                                      msg_logger *logger)
+                                      const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
   if (req.method != SIP_METH_REGISTER) {
     ERROR("unsupported method '%s'\n", req.method.c_str());
@@ -863,7 +863,7 @@ bool RegisterCache::throttleRegister(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 
 bool RegisterCache::saveSingleContact(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 				       const AmSipRequest& req,
-                                       msg_logger *logger)
+                                       const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
   if (req.method != SIP_METH_REGISTER) {
     ERROR("unsupported method '%s'\n", req.method.c_str());
diff --git a/apps/sbc/RegisterCache.h b/apps/sbc/RegisterCache.h
index aec06721..43c6ec0e 100644
--- a/apps/sbc/RegisterCache.h
+++ b/apps/sbc/RegisterCache.h
@@ -313,9 +313,9 @@ protected:
     sleep_cond.notify_all();
   }
 
-  int parseAoR(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx, const AmSipRequest& req, msg_logger *logger);
-  int parseContacts(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx, const AmSipRequest& req, msg_logger *logger);
-  int parseExpires(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx, const AmSipRequest& req, msg_logger *logger);
+  int parseAoR(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx, const AmSipRequest& req, const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger);
+  int parseContacts(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx, const AmSipRequest& req, const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger);
+  int parseExpires(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx, const AmSipRequest& req, const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger);
 
   void setAliasUATimer(AliasEntry* alias_e);
   void removeAliasUATimer(AliasEntry* alias_e);
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ public:
    */
   bool throttleRegister(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 			const AmSipRequest& req,
-                        msg_logger *logger = NULL);
+                        const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger = NULL);
 
   /**
    * Save a single REGISTER contact into cache
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ public:
    * - if request is not a REGISTER.
    * - more than one contact should be (un)registered.
    *
-   * If true has been returned, the request has already 
+   * If true has been returned, the request has already
    * been replied with either an error or 200 (w/ contact).
    *
    * Note: this function also handles binding query.
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ public:
    */
   bool saveSingleContact(RegisterCacheCtx& ctx,
 			const AmSipRequest& req,
-                        msg_logger *logger = NULL);
+                        const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger = NULL);
 
   /**
    * Statistics
diff --git a/apps/sbc/SBC.cpp b/apps/sbc/SBC.cpp
index 0b2d7f66..8f29df34 100644
--- a/apps/sbc/SBC.cpp
+++ b/apps/sbc/SBC.cpp
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ AmSession* SBCFactory::onInvite(const AmSipRequest& req, const string& app_name,
 
   SBCCallLeg* b2b_dlg = callLegCreator->create(call_profile);
 
-  msg_logger* logger = b2b_dlg->getCallProfile().get_logger(req);
+  auto logger = b2b_dlg->getCallProfile().get_logger(req);
   if (logger && call_profile.log_sip) req.log(logger);
 
   if (call_profile.auth_aleg_enabled) {
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ void SBCFactory::onOoDRequest(const AmSipRequest& req)
   SBCCallProfile call_profile(*p_call_profile);
   profiles_mut.unlock();
 
-  msg_logger* logger = call_profile.get_logger(req);
+  auto logger = call_profile.get_logger(req);
   if (logger && call_profile.log_sip) req.log(logger);
 
   ctx.call_profile = &call_profile;
diff --git a/apps/sbc/SBCCallLeg.cpp b/apps/sbc/SBCCallLeg.cpp
index 71e874a9..9b60ef7f 100644
--- a/apps/sbc/SBCCallLeg.cpp
+++ b/apps/sbc/SBCCallLeg.cpp
@@ -513,7 +513,6 @@ SBCCallLeg::~SBCCallLeg()
 {
   if (auth)
     delete auth;
-  if (logger) dec_ref(logger);
 }
 
 void SBCCallLeg::onBeforeDestroy()
@@ -1209,7 +1208,7 @@ bool SBCCallLeg::CCStart(const AmSipRequest& req) {
 
     if (!logger) {
       // open the logger if not already opened
-      msg_logger *l = call_profile.get_logger(req);
+      auto l = call_profile.get_logger(req);
       if (l) setLogger(l);
     }
 
@@ -1949,11 +1948,10 @@ void SBCCallLeg::setMediaSession(AmB2BMedia *new_session)
 
 bool SBCCallLeg::openLogger(const std::string &path)
 {
-  file_msg_logger *log = new pcap_logger();
+  shared_ptr<file_msg_logger> log(new pcap_logger());
 
   if(log->open(path.c_str()) != 0) {
     // open error
-    delete log;
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -1962,12 +1960,9 @@ bool SBCCallLeg::openLogger(const std::string &path)
   return true;
 }
 
-void SBCCallLeg::setLogger(msg_logger *_logger)
+void SBCCallLeg::setLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& _logger)
 {
-  if (logger) dec_ref(logger); // release the old one
-
   logger = _logger;
-  if (logger) inc_ref(logger);
   if (call_profile.log_sip) dlg->setMsgLogger(logger);
   else dlg->setMsgLogger(NULL);
 
diff --git a/apps/sbc/SBCCallLeg.h b/apps/sbc/SBCCallLeg.h
index cb4b1c6d..02f1ea79 100644
--- a/apps/sbc/SBCCallLeg.h
+++ b/apps/sbc/SBCCallLeg.h
@@ -86,9 +86,9 @@ class SBCCallLeg : public CallLeg, public CredentialHolder
   list<atomic_int*> rtp_pegs;
 
   /** common logger for RTP/RTCP and SIP packets */
-  msg_logger *logger;
+  shared_ptr<msg_logger> logger;
 
-  void setLogger(msg_logger *_logger);
+  void setLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& _logger);
 
   void fixupCCInterface(const string& val, CCInterface& cc_if);
 
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ class SBCCallLeg : public CallLeg, public CredentialHolder
   int applySSTCfg(AmConfigReader& sst_cfg, const AmSipRequest* p_req);
 
   bool openLogger(const std::string &path);
-  msg_logger *getLogger() { return logger; }
+  const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& getLogger() { return logger; }
 
   virtual double get491RetryTime() { return (get_random() % call_profile.max_491_retry_time) / 1000.0; }
 };
diff --git a/apps/sbc/SBCCallProfile.cpp b/apps/sbc/SBCCallProfile.cpp
index dca0f21f..b78440cf 100644
--- a/apps/sbc/SBCCallProfile.cpp
+++ b/apps/sbc/SBCCallProfile.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include "SBCCallProfile.h"
 #include "SBC.h"
 #include <algorithm>
+#include <memory>
 
 #include "log.h"
 #include "AmUtils.h"
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@
 
 #include "sip/pcap_logger.h"
 
+using std::make_shared;
 typedef vector<SdpPayload>::iterator PayloadIterator;
 static string payload2str(const SdpPayload &p);
 
@@ -1673,22 +1675,21 @@ void SBCCallProfile::create_logger(const AmSipRequest& req)
   string log_path = ctx.replaceParameters(msg_logger_path, "msg_logger_path", req);
   if (log_path.empty()) return;
 
-  file_msg_logger *log = new pcap_logger();
+  auto log = make_shared<pcap_logger>();
 
   if(log->open(log_path.c_str()) != 0) {
     // open error
-    delete log;
     return;
   }
 
   // opened successfully
-  logger.reset(log);
+  logger = log;
 }
 
-msg_logger* SBCCallProfile::get_logger(const AmSipRequest& req)
+const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& SBCCallProfile::get_logger(const AmSipRequest& req)
 {
   if (!logger.get() && !msg_logger_path.empty()) create_logger(req);
-  return logger.get();
+  return logger;
 }
 
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -1697,7 +1698,7 @@ bool PayloadDesc::match(const SdpPayload &p) const
 {
   string enc_name = p.encoding_name;
   transform(enc_name.begin(), enc_name.end(), enc_name.begin(), ::tolower);
-      
+
   if ((name.size() > 0) && (name != enc_name)) return false;
   if (clock_rate && (p.clock_rate > 0) && clock_rate != (unsigned)p.clock_rate) return false;
   return true;
diff --git a/apps/sbc/SBCCallProfile.h b/apps/sbc/SBCCallProfile.h
index a72cf1ff..42abca59 100644
--- a/apps/sbc/SBCCallProfile.h
+++ b/apps/sbc/SBCCallProfile.h
@@ -61,24 +61,6 @@ typedef std::list<CCInterface> CCInterfaceListT;
 typedef CCInterfaceListT::iterator CCInterfaceListIteratorT;
 typedef CCInterfaceListT::const_iterator CCInterfaceListConstIteratorT;
 
-template <class T>
-class ref_counted_ptr
-{
-  private:
-    T *ptr;
-
-  public:
-    void reset(T *p) { if (ptr) dec_ref(ptr); ptr = p; if (ptr) inc_ref(ptr); }
-    T *get() const { return ptr; }
-
-    ref_counted_ptr(): ptr(0) { }
-    ~ref_counted_ptr() { if (ptr) dec_ref(ptr); }
-
-    ref_counted_ptr(const ref_counted_ptr &other): ptr(other.ptr) { if (ptr) inc_ref(ptr); }
-    ref_counted_ptr &operator=(const ref_counted_ptr &other) { reset(other.ptr); return *this; }
-
-};
-
 class PayloadDesc {
   protected:
     std::string name;
@@ -328,7 +310,7 @@ struct SBCCallProfile
  private:
   // message logging feature
   string msg_logger_path;
-  ref_counted_ptr<msg_logger> logger;
+  shared_ptr<msg_logger> logger;
 
   void create_logger(const AmSipRequest& req);
 
@@ -336,7 +318,7 @@ struct SBCCallProfile
   bool log_rtp;
   bool log_sip;
   bool has_logger() { return logger.get() != NULL; }
-  msg_logger* get_logger(const AmSipRequest& req);
+  const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& get_logger(const AmSipRequest& req);
   void set_logger_path(const std::string path) { msg_logger_path = path; }
   const string &get_logger_path() { return msg_logger_path; }
 
diff --git a/core/AmB2BMedia.cpp b/core/AmB2BMedia.cpp
index 9672a9a3..c0465db6 100644
--- a/core/AmB2BMedia.cpp
+++ b/core/AmB2BMedia.cpp
@@ -513,7 +513,6 @@ AmB2BMedia::AmB2BMedia(AmB2BSession *_a, AmB2BSession *_b):
 
 AmB2BMedia::~AmB2BMedia()
 {
-  if (logger) dec_ref(logger);
 }
 
 void AmB2BMedia::addToMediaProcessor() {
@@ -1203,11 +1202,9 @@ void AmB2BMedia::createHoldAnswer(bool a_leg, const AmSdp &offer, AmSdp &answer,
   }
 }
 
-void AmB2BMedia::setRtpLogger(msg_logger* _logger)
+void AmB2BMedia::setRtpLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& _logger)
 {
-  if (logger) dec_ref(logger);
   logger = _logger;
-  if (logger) inc_ref(logger);
 
   // walk through all the streams and use logger for them
   for (AudioStreamIterator i = audio.begin(); i != audio.end(); ++i) i->setLogger(logger);
diff --git a/core/AmB2BMedia.h b/core/AmB2BMedia.h
index 0ced0167..1186a812 100644
--- a/core/AmB2BMedia.h
+++ b/core/AmB2BMedia.h
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ class AudioStreamData {
     void setInput(AmAudio *_in) { in = _in; }
     AmAudio *getInput() { return in; }
 
-    void setLogger(msg_logger *logger) { if (stream) stream->setLogger(logger); }
+    void setLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger) { if (stream) stream->setLogger(logger); }
 
     void debug();
 };
@@ -297,14 +297,14 @@ class AmB2BMedia: public AmMediaSession
       AudioStreamData a, b;
       int media_idx;
       AudioStreamPair(AmB2BSession *_a, AmB2BSession *_b, int _media_idx): a(_a), b(_b), media_idx(_media_idx) { }
-      void setLogger(msg_logger *logger) { a.setLogger(logger); b.setLogger(logger); }
+      void setLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger) { a.setLogger(logger); b.setLogger(logger); }
       bool requiresProcessing() { return a.getInput() || b.getInput(); }
     };
 
     struct RelayStreamPair {
       AmRtpStream a, b;
       RelayStreamPair(AmB2BSession *_a, AmB2BSession *_b);
-      void setLogger(msg_logger *logger) { a.setLogger(logger); b.setLogger(logger); }
+      void setLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger) { a.setLogger(logger); b.setLogger(logger); }
     };
 
     typedef std::vector<AudioStreamPair>::iterator AudioStreamIterator;
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ class AmB2BMedia: public AmMediaSession
     void setMuteFlag(bool a_leg, bool set);
     void changeSessionUnsafe(bool a_leg, AmB2BSession *new_session);
 
-    msg_logger* logger; // log RTP traffic
+    shared_ptr<msg_logger> logger; // log RTP traffic
 
     virtual ~AmB2BMedia();
 
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ class AmB2BMedia: public AmMediaSession
     void setFirstStreamInput(bool a_leg, AmAudio *in);
     void createHoldAnswer(bool a_leg, const AmSdp &offer, AmSdp &answer, bool use_zero_con);
 
-    void setRtpLogger(msg_logger* _logger);
+    void setRtpLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& _logger);
 
     /** enable or disable DTMF receiving on relay streams */
     void setRelayDTMFReceiving(bool enabled);
diff --git a/core/AmBasicSipDialog.cpp b/core/AmBasicSipDialog.cpp
index 769e44d5..08c8da8a 100644
--- a/core/AmBasicSipDialog.cpp
+++ b/core/AmBasicSipDialog.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ AmBasicSipDialog::~AmBasicSipDialog()
 {
   termUasTrans();
   termUacTrans();
-  if (logger) dec_ref(logger);
   dump();
 }
 
@@ -666,9 +665,9 @@ int AmBasicSipDialog::reply(const AmSipRequest& req,
 
 
 /* static */
-int AmBasicSipDialog::reply_error(const AmSipRequest& req, unsigned int code, 
+int AmBasicSipDialog::reply_error(const AmSipRequest& req, unsigned int code,
 				  const string& reason, const string& hdrs,
-				  msg_logger* logger)
+				  const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
   AmSipReply reply;
 
@@ -787,21 +786,13 @@ void AmBasicSipDialog::dump()
   if(uas_trans.size()){
     for(TransMap::iterator it = uas_trans.begin();
 	it != uas_trans.end(); it++){
-	    
+ 
       ILOG_DLG(L_DBG, "    cseq = %i; method = %s\n",it->first,it->second.method.c_str());
     }
   }
 }
 
-void AmBasicSipDialog::setMsgLogger(msg_logger* logger)
+void AmBasicSipDialog::setMsgLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
-  if(this->logger) {
-    dec_ref(this->logger);
-  }
-
-  if(logger){
-    inc_ref(logger);
-  }
-
   this->logger = logger;
 }
diff --git a/core/AmBasicSipDialog.h b/core/AmBasicSipDialog.h
index 5e50cbcb..ba9f7cbf 100644
--- a/core/AmBasicSipDialog.h
+++ b/core/AmBasicSipDialog.h
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ protected:
   /**
    * Message logger
    */
-  msg_logger* logger;
+  shared_ptr<msg_logger> logger;
 
   /**
    * Executed for replies sent by a local UA,
@@ -400,15 +400,15 @@ public:
    * This method should only be used to send responses
    * to requests which are not referenced by any dialog.
    *
-   * WARNING: If the request has already been referenced 
-   * (see uas_trans), this method cannot mark the request 
+   * WARNING: If the request has already been referenced
+   * (see uas_trans), this method cannot mark the request
    * as replied, thus leaving it in the pending state forever.
    */
   static int reply_error(const AmSipRequest& req,
 			 unsigned int  code,
 			 const string& reason,
 			 const string& hdrs = "",
-			 msg_logger* logger = NULL);
+			 const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger = NULL);
 
   /* dump transaction information (DBG) */
   void dump();
@@ -416,12 +416,12 @@ public:
   /**
    * Enable or disable message logger
    */
-  void setMsgLogger(msg_logger* logger);
+  void setMsgLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger);
 
   /**
    * Get message logger
    */
-  msg_logger* getMsgLogger() { return logger; }
+  const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& getMsgLogger() { return logger; }
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/core/AmRtpPacket.cpp b/core/AmRtpPacket.cpp
index be01b6ea..08a4b854 100644
--- a/core/AmRtpPacket.cpp
+++ b/core/AmRtpPacket.cpp
@@ -282,13 +282,13 @@ int AmRtpPacket::recv(int sd)
   return ret;
 }
 
-void AmRtpPacket::logReceived(msg_logger *logger, struct sockaddr_storage *laddr)
+void AmRtpPacket::logReceived(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger, struct sockaddr_storage *laddr)
 {
   static const cstring empty;
   logger->log((const char *)buffer, b_size, &addr, laddr, empty);
 }
 
-void AmRtpPacket::logSent(msg_logger *logger, struct sockaddr_storage *laddr)
+void AmRtpPacket::logSent(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger, struct sockaddr_storage *laddr)
 {
   static const cstring empty;
   logger->log((const char *)buffer, b_size, laddr, &addr, empty);
diff --git a/core/AmRtpPacket.h b/core/AmRtpPacket.h
index 3a388f11..2659acf2 100644
--- a/core/AmRtpPacket.h
+++ b/core/AmRtpPacket.h
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@
 #include <sys/time.h>
 #include <sys/types.h>
 #include <netinet/in.h>
+#include <memory>
+
+using std::shared_ptr;
 
 class AmRtpPacketTracer;
 class msg_logger;
@@ -81,8 +84,8 @@ public:
   unsigned char* getBuffer();
   void setBufferSize(unsigned int b) { b_size = b; }
 
-  void logReceived(msg_logger *logger, struct sockaddr_storage *laddr);
-  void logSent(msg_logger *logger, struct sockaddr_storage *laddr);
+  void logReceived(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger, struct sockaddr_storage *laddr);
+  void logSent(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger, struct sockaddr_storage *laddr);
 };
 
 #endif
diff --git a/core/AmRtpSocket.cpp b/core/AmRtpSocket.cpp
index 3bd2d726..318eaf02 100644
--- a/core/AmRtpSocket.cpp
+++ b/core/AmRtpSocket.cpp
@@ -132,7 +132,6 @@ AmRtpSocket::AmRtpSocket(AmRtpSocketPair* listener, int interface,
 
 AmRtpSocket::~AmRtpSocket()
 {
-  if (logger) dec_ref(logger);
   if(l_sd) {
     close(l_sd);
   }
@@ -229,12 +228,10 @@ void AmRtpSocket::setRemoteAddress(const string& addr, unsigned short port)
     am_set_port(&r_saddr, port);
 }
 
-void AmRtpSocket::setLogger(msg_logger *_logger)
+void AmRtpSocket::setLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& _logger)
 {
   // Set logger
-  if (logger) dec_ref(logger);
   logger = _logger;
-  if (logger) inc_ref(logger);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/core/AmRtpSocket.h b/core/AmRtpSocket.h
index ca7762f9..1c34483b 100644
--- a/core/AmRtpSocket.h
+++ b/core/AmRtpSocket.h
@@ -33,8 +33,10 @@
 #include <event2/event.h>
 #include <netinet/in.h>
 #include <string>
+#include <memory>
 
 using std::string;
+using std::shared_ptr;
 
 class AmRtpSocketPair;
 class AmRtpPacket;
@@ -54,7 +56,7 @@ class AmRtpSocket
   static void read_cb(evutil_socket_t sd, short what, void* arg);
 
 protected:
-  msg_logger *logger;
+  shared_ptr<msg_logger> logger;
 
   AmRtpSocketPair* listener;
 
@@ -113,7 +115,7 @@ public:
   inline int getLocalPort() { return am_get_port(&l_saddr); };
 
   /** set destination for logging all received/sent RTP and RTCP packets */
-  void setLogger(msg_logger *_logger);
+  void setLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& _logger);
 
   AmRtpSocket(AmRtpSocketPair* listener, int interface, const string& ip,
               unsigned int port);
diff --git a/core/AmRtpStream.cpp b/core/AmRtpStream.cpp
index ae28aaed..900280d1 100644
--- a/core/AmRtpStream.cpp
+++ b/core/AmRtpStream.cpp
@@ -443,7 +443,6 @@ AmRtpStream::~AmRtpStream()
     close(l_sd);
     close(l_rtcp_sd);
   }
-  if (logger) dec_ref(logger);
 }
 
 int AmRtpStream::getLocalPort()
@@ -1320,11 +1319,9 @@ inline void PacketMem::clear()
   n_used = cur_idx = 0;
 }
 
-void AmRtpStream::setLogger(msg_logger* _logger)
+void AmRtpStream::setLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& _logger)
 {
-  if (logger) dec_ref(logger);
   logger = _logger;
-  if (logger) inc_ref(logger);
 }
 
 void AmRtpStream::debug()
diff --git a/core/AmRtpStream.h b/core/AmRtpStream.h
index 28875888..237c92ab 100644
--- a/core/AmRtpStream.h
+++ b/core/AmRtpStream.h
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ protected:
   /** Session owning this stream */
   AmSession*         session;
 
-  msg_logger *logger;
+  shared_ptr<msg_logger> logger;
 
   /** Payload provider */
   AmPayloadProvider* payload_provider;
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ public:
   void changeSession(AmSession *_s) { session = _s; }
 
   /** set destination for logging all received/sent RTP and RTCP packets */
-  void setLogger(msg_logger *_logger);
+  void setLogger(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& _logger);
 
   void debug();
 };
diff --git a/core/AmSession.cpp b/core/AmSession.cpp
index ced060d7..f48be078 100644
--- a/core/AmSession.cpp
+++ b/core/AmSession.cpp
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@
 #include <termios.h>
 #include <sys/ioctl.h>
 
+using std::make_shared;
+
 #define GET_CALL_ID() (dlg->getCallid().c_str())
 
 unsigned int AmSession::session_num = 0;
@@ -128,7 +130,7 @@ AmSession::~AmSession()
 {
   for(vector<AmSessionEventHandler*>::iterator evh = ev_handlers.begin();
       evh != ev_handlers.end(); evh++) {
-    
+
     if((*evh)->destroy)
       delete *evh;
   }
diff --git a/core/AmSession.h b/core/AmSession.h
index 621d25ad..11ed8ace 100644
--- a/core/AmSession.h
+++ b/core/AmSession.h
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ protected:
 
   AmCondition sess_stopped;
 
-  /** this is the group the media is processed with 
+  /** this is the group the media is processed with
       - by default local tag */
   string callgroup;
 
diff --git a/core/AmSipMsg.cpp b/core/AmSipMsg.cpp
index 0a6b822f..1b27f841 100644
--- a/core/AmSipMsg.cpp
+++ b/core/AmSipMsg.cpp
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ string AmSipRequest::print() const
 }
 
 
-void AmSipRequest::log(msg_logger *logger) const
+void AmSipRequest::log(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger) const
 {
   tt.lock_bucket();
   const sip_trans* t = tt.get_trans();
diff --git a/core/AmSipMsg.h b/core/AmSipMsg.h
index f6c081fe..08a70ced 100644
--- a/core/AmSipMsg.h
+++ b/core/AmSipMsg.h
@@ -102,14 +102,14 @@ class AmSipRequest : public _AmSipMsgInDlg
 
   AmSipRequest();
   ~AmSipRequest() { }
-  
+
   string print() const;
-  void log(msg_logger *logger) const;
+  void log(const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger) const;
 };
 
 string getHeader(const string& hdrs,const string& hdr_name, bool single = false);
 
-string getHeader(const string& hdrs,const string& hdr_name, 
+string getHeader(const string& hdrs,const string& hdr_name,
 		 const string& compact_hdr_name, bool single = false);
 
 /** find a header, starting from char skip
diff --git a/core/SipCtrlInterface.cpp b/core/SipCtrlInterface.cpp
index f87fb796..9d65e570 100644
--- a/core/SipCtrlInterface.cpp
+++ b/core/SipCtrlInterface.cpp
@@ -223,10 +223,8 @@ int SipCtrlInterface::cancel(trans_ticket* tt, const string& dialog_id,
 }
 
 int SipCtrlInterface::send(AmSipRequest &req, const string& dialog_id,
-                            const string& next_hop,
-							int out_interface,
-                            unsigned int flags,
-							msg_logger* logger)
+                            const string& next_hop, int out_interface,
+                            unsigned int flags, const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
     if (req.method == "CANCEL")
         return cancel(&req.tt, dialog_id, req.cseq, req.hdrs);
@@ -369,7 +367,7 @@ void SipCtrlInterface::cleanup()
 }
 
 int SipCtrlInterface::send(const AmSipReply &rep, const string& dialog_id,
-			   msg_logger* logger)
+			   const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
     sip_msg msg;
 
diff --git a/core/SipCtrlInterface.h b/core/SipCtrlInterface.h
index 29144aa6..8cf6d363 100644
--- a/core/SipCtrlInterface.h
+++ b/core/SipCtrlInterface.h
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ public:
      */
     static int send(AmSipRequest &req, const string& dialog_id,
 		    const string& next_hop = "", int outbound_interface = -1,
-		    unsigned int flags = 0, msg_logger* logger = NULL);
+		    unsigned int flags = 0, const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger = NULL);
 
     /**
      * Sends a SIP reply. 
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ public:
      *            ticket included in the SIP request.
      */
     static int send(const AmSipReply &rep, const string& dialog_id,
-		    msg_logger* logger = NULL);
+		    const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger = NULL);
 
     /**
      * CANCELs an INVITE transaction.
diff --git a/core/sip/msg_logger.h b/core/sip/msg_logger.h
index a5d60d08..bc0fa32a 100644
--- a/core/sip/msg_logger.h
+++ b/core/sip/msg_logger.h
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ using std::string;
 struct sockaddr_storage;
 
 class msg_logger
-  : public atomic_ref_cnt
 {
 public:
   msg_logger() {}
diff --git a/core/sip/sip_trans.cpp b/core/sip/sip_trans.cpp
index b1aa79a5..5f311f78 100644
--- a/core/sip/sip_trans.cpp
+++ b/core/sip/sip_trans.cpp
@@ -96,9 +96,6 @@ sip_trans::~sip_trans()
     if(dialog_id.s) {
 	delete [] dialog_id.s;
     }
-    if(logger) {
-	dec_ref(logger);
-    }
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/core/sip/sip_trans.h b/core/sip/sip_trans.h
index 4a4d06c4..adfbacac 100644
--- a/core/sip/sip_trans.h
+++ b/core/sip/sip_trans.h
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class sip_trans
     unsigned int flags;
 
     /** message logging */
-    msg_logger* logger;
+    shared_ptr<msg_logger> logger;
 
     /** request canceled? */
     bool canceled;
diff --git a/core/sip/trans_layer.cpp b/core/sip/trans_layer.cpp
index cc034c02..1655e5e3 100644
--- a/core/sip/trans_layer.cpp
+++ b/core/sip/trans_layer.cpp
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ static int patch_contact_transport(sip_header* contact, const cstring& trsp,
 
 int trans_layer::send_reply(sip_msg* msg, const trans_ticket* tt,
 			     const cstring& dialog_id, const cstring& to_tag,
-			     msg_logger* logger)
+			     const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
     // Ref.: RFC 3261 8.2.6, 12.1.1
     //
@@ -629,7 +629,6 @@ int trans_layer::send_reply(sip_msg* msg, const trans_ticket* tt,
 
 	if(!t->logger){
 	    t->logger = logger;
-	    inc_ref(logger);
 	}
     }
 
@@ -1202,7 +1201,7 @@ int trans_layer::send_request(sip_msg* msg, trans_ticket* tt,
 			       const cstring& dialog_id,
 			       const cstring& _next_hop, 
 			       int out_interface, unsigned int flags,
-			       msg_logger* logger)
+			       const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger)
 {
     // Request-URI
     // To
@@ -1346,7 +1345,7 @@ int trans_layer::send_request(sip_msg* msg, trans_ticket* tt,
 	    }
 	}
 
-	DBG("logger = %p\n",logger);
+	DBG("logger = %p\n",logger.get());
 
 	if(logger) {
 	    sockaddr_storage src_ip;
@@ -1373,7 +1372,6 @@ int trans_layer::send_request(sip_msg* msg, trans_ticket* tt,
 
 	    if(tt->_t && !tt->_t->logger) {
 		tt->_t->logger = logger;
-		inc_ref(logger);
 	    }
 	}
 
@@ -1558,7 +1556,6 @@ int trans_layer::cancel(trans_ticket* tt, const cstring& dialog_id,
 
                 if(!cancel_t->logger) {
                     cancel_t->logger = t->logger;
-                    inc_ref(t->logger);
                 }
             }
 	}
@@ -2624,7 +2621,6 @@ sip_trans* trans_layer::copy_uac_trans(sip_trans* tr)
 
     if(tr->logger) {
 	n_tr->logger = tr->logger;
-	inc_ref(n_tr->logger);
     }
 
     return n_tr;
diff --git a/core/sip/trans_layer.h b/core/sip/trans_layer.h
index 6ade3e63..28d6a22a 100644
--- a/core/sip/trans_layer.h
+++ b/core/sip/trans_layer.h
@@ -170,7 +170,8 @@ public:
      * 'Content-Length' header.
      */
     int send_reply(sip_msg* msg, const trans_ticket* tt, const cstring& dialog_id,
-		   const cstring& to_tag, msg_logger* logger=NULL);
+		   const cstring& to_tag,
+		   const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger=NULL);
 
     /**
      * Sends a UAC request.
@@ -181,7 +182,7 @@ public:
      */
     int send_request(sip_msg* msg, trans_ticket* tt, const cstring& dialog_id,
 		     const cstring& _next_hop, int out_interface = -1,
-		     unsigned int flags=0, msg_logger* logger=NULL);
+		     unsigned int flags=0, const shared_ptr<msg_logger>& logger=NULL);
 
     /**
      * Cancels a request.