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GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES [Abstract] |  |  |
Management fee to related party | $ 363 | $ 307 | $ 245
Directors and officers insurance | 86 | 80 | 82
Salary and wages | 2,904 | 2,859 | 2,202
Audit, legal and consultants | 1,099 | 624 | 954
Legal fees, Nordic Galaxy | 2,362 | 1,500 | 0
Administrative services provided by related party | 3,821 | 3,686 | 2,514
Other fees and expenses | 1,631 | 1,576 | 1,670
Total General and Administration expense with cash effect | 12,266 | 10,632 | 7,667
Compensation - Restricted shares to Manager | 67 | 2,838 | 5,366
Share-based Compensation | 1,320 | 60 | 180
Deferred compensation plan | 1,741 | 2,450 | 1,606
Total General and Administrative expense without cash effect | 3,128 | 5,348 | 7,152
Total, end of period | $ 15,394 | $ 15,980 | $ 14,819
Total number of vessels | 20 | 17 | 15

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- Definition The total general and administration expenses without cash effect during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Expenses recognized during the period related to management fee to related party during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The noncash expense that represents the cost of restricted stock or unit distributed during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The aggregate amount of equity-based employee remuneration included in general and administrative expense for the period. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The total number of vessels during the period, which may include crude oil tankers and new vessels under construction to be used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Costs of sales and operating expenses for the period incurred from transactions with related parties. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2) -SubTopic 10 -Topic 225 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition The compensation expense recognized during the period pertaining to the deferred compensation arrangement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 710 -SubTopic 10 -Section 30 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409875&loc=d3e20015-108363 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 64, 65 -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 AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 6, 7 -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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901 + Details
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- Definition The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. + 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 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition The expense in the period incurred with respect to protection provided by insurance entities against risks other than risks associated with production (which are allocated to cost of sales). + 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 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition The amount of expense provided in the period for legal costs incurred on or before the balance sheet date pertaining to resolved, pending or threatened litigation, including arbitration and mediation proceedings. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9 -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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition The sum of expenses not otherwise specified in the taxonomy for managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. + 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 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition A fee charged for services from professionals such as doctors, lawyers and accountants. The term is often expanded to include other professions, for example, pharmacists charging to maintain a medicinal profile of a client or customer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07.2(a),(b),(c),(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488393&loc=d3e606610-122999 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 225 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (k) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488370&loc=d3e13550-115849 + Details
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- Definition Expenditures for salaries other than officers. Does not include allocated share-based compensation, pension and post-retirement benefit expense or other labor-related non-salary expense. For commercial and industrial companies, excludes any direct and overhead labor that is included in cost of goods sold. + 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 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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