PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS [Abstract]
Prepaid expenses	$ 2,714,000	$ 1,894,000
Deposit on Contracts, Nordic Galaxy	9,000,000	9,000,000
Loans to seller, Nordic Galaxy	0	26,809,000
Deferred Financing Costs	653,000	653,000
Voyage in Progress, temporarily spot charters	5,233,000	0
Working Capital, cooperative arrangements	12,779,000	0
Other	1,389,000	1,416,000
Total at year end	31,768,000	39,772,000
Decrease in prepaid expenses	$ 8,000,000

Amount earned as of the balance date on voyages in progress.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The value of bunkers on board on the company's vessels at time of delivery to Cooperative Arrangements plus initial funding in certain dollar amount per vessel, classified as current assets.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Net amount of current deferred finance costs capitalized at the end of the reporting period.

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- Definition

The designation of funds furnished by a borrower to a lender to assure future payments of the borrower's real estate taxes and insurance obligations with respect to a mortgaged property. Escrow deposits may be made for a variety of other purposes such as earnest money and contingent payments. This element excludes replacement reserves which are an escrow separately provided for within the US GAAP taxonomy.

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount of outstanding money paid in advance for goods or services that bring economic benefits for future periods.

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-Publisher FASB

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- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date, net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. This amount does not include amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.

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Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of current assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

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- Definition

The total of the amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and the aggregate carrying amount of current assets, as of the balance sheet date, not separately presented elsewhere in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

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Sum of the amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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-Glossary Current Assets

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