INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of accounting The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries including variable interest entities in which the Ship Finance is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013. New Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09-Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) initiated a joint project to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and IFRS. To meet those objectives, the FASB is amending the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and creating a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and the IASB is issuing IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The issuance of these documents completes the joint effort by the FASB and the IASB to meet those objectives and improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for US GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this Update are effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently considering the impact of these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

Basis of accounting

The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries including variable interest entities in which the Ship Finance is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09-Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) initiated a joint project to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and IFRS. To meet those objectives, the FASB is amending the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and creating a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and the IASB is issuing IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The issuance of these documents completes the joint effort by the FASB and the IASB to meet those objectives and improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for US GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this Update are effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently considering the impact of these amendments on its consolidated financial statements.