NONVESTED STOCK AWARDS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Number of Shares
Forfeited (in shares)	(6,750)
Baltic Trading Plan \| Baltic Trading Limited
Number of Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	664,249
Vested (in shares)	(116,500)
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	547,749
Weighted Average Grant Date Price
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 7.70
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 14.00
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 6.37
Additional disclosures
Total fair value of shares vested	$ 454	$ 457
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock awards
Unrecognized compensation cost	1,431
Weighted-average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost	2 years 4 months 28 days
2005 and 2012 GS&T Plans
Number of Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	1,108,762
Vested (in shares)	0	0
Forfeited (in shares)	(6,750)
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	1,102,012
Weighted Average Grant Date Price
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 9.47
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 7.02
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 9.48
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock awards
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 4,314
Weighted-average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost	2 years 11 months 23 days

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Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Aggregate unrecognized cost of share-based awards, other than options, made to employees under an equity-based compensation plan, that have yet to vest.

+ References

No definition available.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

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- Definition

Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

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- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(2)(b)

-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.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(2)(a)

-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.

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

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- Definition

The total fair value of equity-based awards for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

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The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

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