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DEBT (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 2 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Mar. 26, 2010
D
Oct. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Oct. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Jul. 15, 2014
Aug. 31, 2008
tranch
Feb. 28, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Jan. 31, 2015
Aug. 25, 2011
May 24, 2011
Mar. 07, 2011
Feb. 22, 2011
Dec. 21, 2010
Sep. 08, 2010
Aug. 27, 2010
Jun. 02, 2010
May 21, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Total US Dollar floating rate and fixed rate debt     $ 192,857,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt $ 459,078,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt   $ 192,857,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt             $ 192,857,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt                            
Current portion of long-term debt     (165,357,000)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent (22,706,000)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent   (165,357,000)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent             (165,357,000)us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent                            
Long-term debt     27,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent 436,372,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent   27,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent             27,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent                            
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Balance at beginning of period     459,078,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt 483,992,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt 513,513,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt       513,513,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt                                    
Loan repayments     (54,732,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt (21,531,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt (19,521,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt                                            
Repurchase of debt carrying value   (17,800,000)fro_RepurchaseOfDebtCarryingValue     10,000,000fro_RepurchaseOfDebtCarryingValue                                            
Notional value of long term debt in subsidiary entity sold       32,019,000fro_NotionalValueOfLongTermDebtInSubsidiaryEntitySold                                              
Debt Amortized Discount from Bond Buyback Sale     1,629,000fro_DebtAmortizedDiscountfromBondBuybackSale 1,820,000fro_DebtAmortizedDiscountfromBondBuybackSale                                              
Balance at end of period     192,857,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt 459,078,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt 483,992,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt 192,857,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt             192,857,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt                            
Convertible bonds due 2015 [Abstract]                                                      
Repurchase of debt purchase price   16,300,000fro_RepurchaseOfDebtPurchasePrice                                                  
Debt Conversion, Cash Payment     10,000,000fro_DebtConversionCashPayment                                                
Convertible Debt number of days up to April 14, 2015 to convert at conversion price 10fro_ConvertibleDebtNumberOfDaysUpToApril142015ToConvertAtConversionPrice                                                    
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]                                                      
2015     165,357,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths     165,357,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths             165,357,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths                            
2016     2,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo     2,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo             2,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo                            
2017     25,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree     25,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree             25,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree                            
2018     0us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour     0us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour             0us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour                            
2019     0us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive     0us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive             0us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive                            
Thereafter     0us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive     0us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive             0us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive                            
Total debt     192,857,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt 459,078,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt 483,992,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt 192,857,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt             192,857,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt                            
Assets pledged [Abstract]                                                      
Vessels, net,     56,624,000fro_VesselsAndEquipmentNet 264,804,000fro_VesselsAndEquipmentNet   56,624,000fro_VesselsAndEquipmentNet             56,624,000fro_VesselsAndEquipmentNet                            
Vessels by Name [Member]                                                      
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes [Abstract]                                                      
Number of Vessels Pledged as Security       6fro_NumberofVesselsPledgedasSecurity
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_VesselsByNameMember
                                             
Assets pledged [Abstract]                                                      
Vessels, net,     55,812,000fro_VesselsAndEquipmentNet
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_VesselsByNameMember
263,367,000fro_VesselsAndEquipmentNet
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_VesselsByNameMember
  55,812,000fro_VesselsAndEquipmentNet
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_VesselsByNameMember
            55,812,000fro_VesselsAndEquipmentNet
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_VesselsByNameMember
                           
Vessel [Member]                                                      
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes [Abstract]                                                      
Number of Vessels Pledged as Security     1fro_NumberofVesselsPledgedasSecurity
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_FrontUIIMember
    1fro_NumberofVesselsPledgedasSecurity
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_FrontUIIMember
            1fro_NumberofVesselsPledgedasSecurity
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_FrontUIIMember
                           
Restricted cash and investment [Member]                                                      
Assets pledged [Abstract]                                                      
Restricted cash and investments     38,560,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestments
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentMember
66,249,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestments
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentMember
  38,560,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestments
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentMember
            38,560,000us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestments
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentMember
                           
Debt Conversion [Member]                                                      
Convertible bonds due 2015 [Abstract]                                                      
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount   23,000,000us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_DebtConversionMember
                                                 
4.5% convertible bond due 2015                                                      
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Repurchase of debt carrying value     17,800,000fro_RepurchaseOfDebtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                               
Convertible bonds due 2015 [Abstract]                                                      
Stated interest rate (in hundredths) 4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
  4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
    4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
            4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                           
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued   8,251,724us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentSharesIssued1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
      4,744,752us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentSharesIssued1
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                         
Share Price   $ 1.45us-gaap_SharePrice
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
$ 2.62us-gaap_SharePrice
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
    $ 2.62us-gaap_SharePrice
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
            $ 2.62us-gaap_SharePrice
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                           
8.04% First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes                                                      
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes [Abstract]                                                      
Stated interest rate range, minimum (in hundredths)     7.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                                               
Stated interest rate range, maximum (in hundredths)     8.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                                               
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes due 2021 [Member] | First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes due 2021 [Member]                                                      
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes [Abstract]                                                      
Stated interest rate range, maximum (in hundredths)       7.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2021Member
                                             
4.5% convertible bond due 2015                                                      
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Repurchase of debt carrying value               (10,000,000)fro_RepurchaseOfDebtCarryingValue
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                     
Convertible bonds due 2015 [Abstract]                                                      
Repurchase of debt purchase price               5,400,000fro_RepurchaseOfDebtPurchasePrice
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                     
Gain (Loss) on repurchase of debt instrument   1,500,000us-gaap_GainLossOnRepurchaseOfDebtInstrument
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
            4,600,000us-gaap_GainLossOnRepurchaseOfDebtInstrument
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                   
Repurchase of debt percentage holding   23.50%fro_RepurchaseOfDebtPercentageHolding
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
          4.40%fro_RepurchaseOfDebtPercentageHolding
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                     
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount             25,000,000us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                       
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued             6,474,827us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentSharesIssued1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                       
Debt Conversion, Cash Payment   10,000,000fro_DebtConversionCashPayment
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
      9,600,000fro_DebtConversionCashPayment
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
2,250,000fro_DebtConversionCashPayment
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                       
Debt Conversion, Expense due to Inducement Offer     41,100,000fro_DebtConversionExpenseduetoInducementOffer
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
      12,700,000fro_DebtConversionExpenseduetoInducementOffer
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                       
4.5% convertible bond due 2015 | Debt Conversion [Member]                                                      
Convertible bonds due 2015 [Abstract]                                                      
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount           22,500,000us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_DebtConversionMember
                                         
4.5% convertible bond due 2015 | 4.5% convertible bond due 2015                                                      
Convertible bonds due 2015 [Abstract]                                                      
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount     (45,500,000)us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
(25,000,000)us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                             
US Dollar denominated fixed rate debt [Member] | 4.5% convertible bond due 2015                                                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Total US Dollar floating rate and fixed rate debt     126,700,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
190,000,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
  126,700,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
            126,700,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                           
Convertible bonds due 2015 [Abstract]                                                      
Stated interest rate (in hundredths) 4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
  4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
    4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
            4.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                           
Debt instrument placed on private placement 225,000,000fro_DebtInstrumentPlacedOnPrivatePlacement
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                                   
Convertible, conversion price (in dollars per share) 39.00us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
  $ 36.5567us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
$ 36.5567us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
  $ 36.5567us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
            $ 36.5567us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
              $ 36.5567us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
    $ 37.0483us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
  $ 38.0895us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
 
USD/NOK exchange rate 6.0448us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateRemeasurement1
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                                   
Dividend declared (in dollars per share)                                     $ 0.02fro_DividendsDeclaredAmountPerShareAdjustedForConversion
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
$ 0.10fro_DividendsDeclaredAmountPerShareAdjustedForConversion
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
  $ 0.10fro_DividendsDeclaredAmountPerShareAdjustedForConversion
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
$ 0.25fro_DividendsDeclaredAmountPerShareAdjustedForConversion
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
  $ 0.75fro_DividendsDeclaredAmountPerShareAdjustedForConversion
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
  $ 0.75fro_DividendsDeclaredAmountPerShareAdjustedForConversion
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
Minimum adjustment to conversion price, percent                                             1.00%fro_MinimumAdjustmentToConversionPricePercent
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
       
Bond redemption features (in hundredths) 100.00%fro_BondsIssueAndRedemptionFeatures
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                                   
Bond redemption feature, minimum (in hundredths)     90.00%fro_BondRedemptionFeatureMinimum
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                               
Number of new shares to be issued (in shares)     3,465,849fro_NumberOfNewSharesToBeIssued
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
                                               
US Dollar denominated fixed rate debt [Member] | 8.04% First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes                                                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Total US Dollar floating rate and fixed rate debt     36,657,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
83,240,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
  36,657,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
            36,657,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                           
Debt Unamortized Discount Resulting from Bond Buyback Sale     0fro_DebtUnamortizedDiscountResultingfromBondBuybackSale
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
(10,402,000)fro_DebtUnamortizedDiscountResultingfromBondBuybackSale
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
  0fro_DebtUnamortizedDiscountResultingfromBondBuybackSale
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
            0fro_DebtUnamortizedDiscountResultingfromBondBuybackSale
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                           
Convertible bonds due 2015 [Abstract]                                                      
Bond redemption features (in hundredths)     100.00%fro_BondsIssueAndRedemptionFeatures
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
    100.00%fro_BondsIssueAndRedemptionFeatures
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
            100.00%fro_BondsIssueAndRedemptionFeatures
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                           
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes [Abstract]                                                      
Stated interest rate range, minimum (in hundredths)       7.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                                             
Stated interest rate range, maximum (in hundredths)       8.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                                             
US Dollar denominated fixed rate debt [Member] | First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes due 2019 [Member]                                                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Total US Dollar floating rate and fixed rate debt     0fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019Member
196,240,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019Member
  0fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019Member
            0fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019Member
                           
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes [Abstract]                                                      
Stated interest rate range, maximum (in hundredths)     8.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019Member
                                               
US Dollar denominated fixed rate debt [Member] | First Preferred Mortgage Notes [Member]                                                      
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes [Abstract]                                                      
Sinking fund redemption price (in hundredths)     100.00%fro_SinkingFundRedemptionPrice
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageNotesMember
    100.00%fro_SinkingFundRedemptionPrice
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageNotesMember
            100.00%fro_SinkingFundRedemptionPrice
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFixedRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageNotesMember
                           
US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member]                                                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Total US Dollar floating rate and fixed rate debt     29,500,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
0fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
  29,500,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
            29,500,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
                           
Long-term debt           60,000,000fro_FrontUllFrontIdunLoan
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
                                         
US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member] | Vessel [Member]                                                      
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Loan draw downs                   30,000,000fro_DrawdownofFrontUllFrontIdunloan
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_FrontUIIMember
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
                                 
US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member] | US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member]                                                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Long-term debt           60,000,000fro_FrontUllFrontIdunLoan
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
                                         
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Weighted average interest on floating rate debt     2.80%fro_Weightedaverageinterestonfloatingratedebt
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
                                               
US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member] | US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member] | Vessels by Name [Member]                                                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Long-term debt                     60,000,000fro_FrontUllFrontIdunLoan
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_VesselsByNameMember
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
                               
US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member] | US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member] | Front Ull and Front Idun [Member]                                                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Long-term debt                       0fro_FrontUllFrontIdunLoan
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_FrontUllandFrontIdunMember
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
                             
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Loan draw downs     30,000,000fro_DrawdownofFrontUllFrontIdunloan
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_FrontUllandFrontIdunMember
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
                                               
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes due 2019 [Member] | 8.04% First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes                                                      
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes [Abstract]                                                      
Stated interest rate range, maximum (in hundredths)     8.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
8.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                                             
Windsor Group [Member] | First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes due 2021 [Member]                                                      
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Debt Amortized Discount from Bond Buyback Sale                         (8,800,000)fro_DebtAmortizedDiscountfromBondBuybackSale
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_WindsorGroupMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2021Member
                           
Deconsolidation of subsidiaries     (179,818,000)fro_Deconsolidationofsubsidiaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_WindsorGroupMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2021Member
                                               
Windsor Group [Member] | First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes due 2021 [Member] | First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes due 2021 [Member]                                                      
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Deconsolidation of subsidiaries                           (179,800,000)fro_Deconsolidationofsubsidiaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_WindsorGroupMember
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2021Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2021Member
                         
International Tankers Corporation Ltd [Member] | 8.04% First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes                                                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Debt Unamortized Discount Resulting from Bond Buyback Sale       (12,200,000)fro_DebtUnamortizedDiscountResultingfromBondBuybackSale
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_InternationalTankersCorporationLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                                             
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Notional value of long term debt in subsidiary entity sold       32,000,000fro_NotionalValueOfLongTermDebtInSubsidiaryEntitySold
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_InternationalTankersCorporationLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                                             
Debt Amortized Discount from Bond Buyback Sale     (1,600,000)fro_DebtAmortizedDiscountfromBondBuybackSale
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_InternationalTankersCorporationLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                                               
First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes [Abstract]                                                      
Number of tranches of term notes purchased                             3fro_NumberOfTranchesOfTermNotesPurchased
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_InternationalTankersCorporationLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                       
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt       19,800,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_InternationalTankersCorporationLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                                             
Debt discount effective interest rate     7.84%fro_Debtdiscounteffectiveinterestrate
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_InternationalTankersCorporationLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                                               
Stated interest rate range, minimum (in hundredths)                             7.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_InternationalTankersCorporationLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
                       
Reported Value Measurement [Member]                                                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Total US Dollar floating rate and fixed rate debt     29,500,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
0fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
  29,500,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
            29,500,000fro_TotalUsDollarFloatingRateAndFixedRateDebt
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
                           
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Debt Amortized Discount from Bond Buyback Sale       (12,222,000)fro_DebtAmortizedDiscountfromBondBuybackSale
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis
= us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
                                             
Subsequent Event [Member]                                                      
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Repurchase of debt carrying value                               (33,300,000)fro_RepurchaseOfDebtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                     
Subsequent Event [Member] | 4.5% convertible bond due 2015                                                      
Convertible bonds due 2015 [Abstract]                                                      
Gain (Loss) on repurchase of debt instrument                                 300,000us-gaap_GainLossOnRepurchaseOfDebtInstrument
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                   
Subsequent Event [Member] | US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member] | Vessel [Member]                                                      
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Loan draw downs                                 30,000,000fro_DrawdownofFrontUllFrontIdunloan
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_FrontUIIMember
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
30,000,000fro_DrawdownofFrontUllFrontIdunloan
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_FrontUIIMember
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                 
Subsequent Event [Member] | US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member] | US Dollar denominated floating rate debt [Member] | Vessels by Name [Member]                                                      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                      
Long-term debt                                   60,000,000fro_FrontUllFrontIdunLoan
/ fro_CollateralByTypeAxis
= fro_VesselsByNameMember
/ fro_LongTermDebtInterestRateTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_UsDollarDenominatedFloatingRateDebtMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                 
Subsequent Event [Member] | International Tankers Corporation Ltd [Member] | 8.04% First Preferred Mortgage Term Notes                                                      
Movement in debt [Roll Forward]                                                      
Loan repayments                                   $ (36,700,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= fro_InternationalTankersCorporationLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= fro_FirstPreferredMortgageTermNotesDue2019And2021Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember