Name:	sfl_AdministrativeExpensesToRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Reduction in daily time charter rates agreed for the period from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2015.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_AgreedTemporaryReductionInDailyTimeCharterRates
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Term, in years, an agreed temporary reduction in daily time charter rates.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_AgreedTemporaryReductionInDailyTimeCharterRatesPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

No definition available.

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

The number of assets that were accounted for as direct financing leases as of the balance sheet date which are leased to related parties.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_AssetsAccountedForAsDirectFinancingLeasesAndLeasedToRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Compensation Received on Termination of Charters, Notes Receivable

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_CompensationReceivedonTerminationofChartersNotesReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Daily Time Charter Rate For Suezmax Tankers Payable To Frontline

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_DailyTimeCharterRateForSuezmaxTankersPayableToFrontline
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	us-types:perUnitItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Daily time charter rate for VLCCs payable to Frontline

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_DailytimecharterrateforVLCCspayabletoFrontline
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Finance lease interest generated by direct financing leases with related parties.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_DirectFinancingLeaseInterestIncomeFromRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

That portion of gross lease revenues generated by direct financing leases with related parties that is allocated to lease executory costs.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_Financeleaseservicerevenuesfromrelatedparties
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Gain on redemption of loan notes from related parties

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_Gainonredemptionofloannotesfromrelatedparties
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The increased percentage of profit share from earnings on leased vessels receivable from the related party applicable from January 1, 2012, onwards.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_IncreaseProfitSharingPercentageOfEarningsFromFrontlineForUseOfFleetInHundredths
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Interest on Notes Receivable, Related Party, Current

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_InterestonNotesReceivableRelatedPartyCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_InvestmentinSharesOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Joint Venture, Ownership Percentage

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_JointVentureOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

No definition available.

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

The initial amount of loan advanced to a related party.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_LoansAdvancedToRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amounts representing agreements for unconditional promises by related parties which are associates to pay the Entity (holder) definite sums of money at a future date(s) more than one year from the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_LoansToRelatedPartiesWhichAreAssociates
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The maximum daily amount applicable to the additional earnings-related 100% payment receivable from the related party from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2015.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_MaximumDailyAmountToWhichTemporaryEarningsRelatedPaymentApplies
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Notes Compensation Received on Termination of Charters, Face Value

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_NotesCompensationReceivedonTerminationofChartersFaceValue
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The number of vessels sold

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_NumberOfVesselsSold
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Revenue from related parties derived from profit sharing contracts or arrangements based on underlying fleet usage.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_ProfitSharingRevenuesFromRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Profit share income from July 1 2015 onwards

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_ProfitshareincomefromJuly12015onwards
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Profit sharing percent of earnings from Frontline from July 1 2015 onwards

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_ProfitsharingpercentofearningsfromFrontlinefromJuly12015onwards
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Receivable, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_ReceivableInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

No definition available.

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

-- None. No documentation exists for this element. --

No definition available.

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

Related Party, Operating Management Fees

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_RelatedPartyOperatingManagementFees
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Related Party Transactions Daily Vessel Management Fee

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_RelatedPartyTransactionsDailyVesselManagementFee
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	us-types:perUnitItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of direct financing lease repayments received from related parties during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_RelatedPartyTransactionsDirectFinancingLeaseRepayments
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Management fees paid to a related party during the period for the provision of office facilities.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_RelatedPartyTransactionsManagementFeesPaidProvisionOfOfficeFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Management fees paid to a related party during the period for the supervision of newbuildings.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_RelatedPartyTransactionsManagementFeesPaidSupervisionOfNewbuildings
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The percentage of profit share from earnings on leased vessels received from the related party during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_RelatedPartyTransactionsProfitShareOfEarningsOnLeaseVesselsReceivedFromRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The aggregate direct operating costs, including management fees, of operating the vessels that are paid to related parties.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_ShipOperatingExpensesToRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Term of loan notes

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_Termofloannotes
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of shares of equity interests issued or issuable to acquire entity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The net amount due within one year of the balance sheet date or the normal operating cycle, if longer, consisting of: (a) minimum lease payments due on direct financing leases, (b) unguaranteed residual value, and (c) any unamortized initial direct costs, less: (i) executory costs, (ii) unearned income, and (iii) the accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496975&loc=d3e45377-112738

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesLessorBalanceSheetNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingLeasesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The net investment in direct financing leases as of the balance sheet date consisting of: (a) minimum lease payments due on direct financing leases, (b) unguaranteed residual value, and (c) any unamortized initial direct costs; less: (i) executory costs, (ii) unearned income, and (iii) the accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments.

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingLeases
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amounts due after 1 year (or 1 business cycle) from other related parties which are not otherwise stated in the taxonomy.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.11)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph a
-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_DueFromOtherRelatedPartiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The aggregate amount of receivables to be collected from related parties where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth, at the financial statement date. which are usually due within one year (or one business cycle).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6676-107765

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph k
-Subparagraph 2
-Article 4

Name:	us-gaap_DueFromRelatedPartiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of obligations due all related parties. For classified balance sheets, represents the current portion of such liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_DueToRelatedPartiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Amount of dividend income on nonoperating securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeDividend
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from operating leases, including minimum lease revenue, contingent revenue, percentage revenue and sublease revenue.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39896-112707

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of property, by major property class, net of accumulated depreciation, subject to or available for lease as of the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6454179&loc=d3e41551-112718

Name:	us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The number of units (items of property) under operating lease arrangements.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseNumberOfUnits
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_FrontlineCharterersandDeepSeaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_FrontlineCharterersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_FrontlineLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_UnitedFreightCarriersIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_FrontlineCharterersDeepSeaandUFCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_SFLLinusMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_DeepSeaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_FrontlinereversestocksplitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_FrontlineManagementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_FrontlineShippingAndFrontlineShippingIiMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_ArcadiaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_FrontlineManagementAsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_GoldenOceanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_SeatankersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_OtherRelatedPartiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=sfl_FrontlineCorporateServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=sfl_DeepSeaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=sfl_FrontlineLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=sfl_SflDeepwaterMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=sfl_SflHerculesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=sfl_SFLLinusMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: