REVENUE FROM TIME CHARTERS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012 item	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
REVENUE FROM TIME CHARTERS
Voyage revenues	$ 223,159	$ 388,929	$ 447,438
Profit sharing revenue	0	122	574
Future minimum time charter revenue
2013	20,182
2014	$ 3,512
Offhire period	20 days
Number of vessels excluded from disclosure of future minimum revenue	5

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- Definition

Represents the expected future minimum charter revenue, based on vessels committed to noncancellable time charter contracts during the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year ended.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the expected future minimum charter revenue, based on vessels committed to noncancellable time charter contracts during the second year following the latest fiscal year ended.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the number of vessels in pool arrangements which have been excluded from the disclosure of future minimum revenue.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the assumed offhire days for a vessel which has a scheduled drydocking.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the profit sharing revenue included in time charter revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Revenue from transporting cargo and freight between locations.

+ References

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 210.5-03.1(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-AIR

-Paragraph 4

-IssueDate 2003-05-01

-Chapter 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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