XML 17 R10.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.5.0.2

GAIN ON SALE OF LOAN NOTES AND SHARE WARRANTS - OTHER (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016
GAIN ON SALE OF LOAN NOTES AND SHARE WARRANTS - OTHER [Abstract]
Gain on sale of loan notes and share warrants [Text Block]	GAIN ON SALE OF LOAN NOTES AND SHARE WARRANTS - OTHER In May 2015, the Company recorded a total gain of $44.6 million on the disposal of its holding of loan notes in Horizon Lines, LLC and share warrants in Horizon Lines, Inc. These unlisted second lien interest-bearing loan notes and share warrants had been received as compensation on termination of charters to Horizon Lines, LLC in April 2012.

X

- Definition

GAIN ON SALE OF LOAN NOTES AND SHARE WARRANTS - OTHER [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sfl_GAINONSALEOFLOANNOTESANDSHAREWARRANTSOTHERAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Gain on sale of loan notes and share warrants [Text Block]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sfl_GainonsaleofloannotesandsharewarrantsTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration