Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Prepaid insurance and other Prepaid Insurance And Other Prepaid amounts for insurance premiums and other expenses expected to realize within a year from the balance sheet date. Prepaid charter revenue Increase Decrease Prepaid Charter Revenue This element represents the change in an asset recognized at the acquisition of a vessel with a time charter attached to it, because the present value of the contractual cash flows of the time charter assumed was greater than its fair value Total fixed assets Total Fixed Assets Sum of carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of assets under construction and acquisition, tangible assets held by the entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, net of depreciation and furniture and fixtures net of depreciation Advances for vessels under construction and acquisitions and other vessel costs Advances And Other Costs For Vessels Under Construction And Acquisitions Carrying amount at the balance sheet date of long-lived assets under construction that include construction costs to date on assets being constructed that are not ready to be placed into service and advances and costs paid for assets to be acquired that are not delivered yet Property and equipment, net Property And Equipment Net Real estate, furniture and fixtures net of depreciation OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS: Other Non Current Assets [Abstract] Prepaid charter revenue, non-current portion Prepaid Charter Revenue Noncurrent Portion This element represents the non-current portion of an asset recognized at the acquisition of a vessel with a time charter attached to it, because the present value of the contractual cash flows of the time charter assumed was greater than its fair value Accounts payable, trade and other Accounts payable, trade and other Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business and other liabilities. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Increase Decrease In Dry Dockings This item represents payments for scheduled maintenance of property Drydock costs Prepaid charter revenue Prepaid Charter Revenue This element represents an asset recognized at the acquisition of a vessel with a time charter attached to it, because the present value of the contractual cash flows of the time charter assumed was greater than its fair value Advances for vessels under construction and acquisitions and other vessel costs Purchases Of Vessels Under Construction Vessel acquisitions Purchases Of Vessels Investments in time deposits Investments In Time Deposits Cash Paid [Abstract] Cash paid during the year for: Time Charter Revenues Revenues arising from services provided to charterers according to the terms and conditions included in each agreement. Voyage expenses Voyage Expenses Costs relating to the voyages performed by the vessels and may include port, canal, bunker expenses, commissions and other. Insurance settlement for vessel un-repaired damages Insurance Settlements For Vessel Unrepaired Damages Represents insurance settlements for vessel unrepaired damages Proceeds from insurance settlements for vessel un-repaired damages Settlements Insurance For Vessel UnRepaired Damages Insurance settlements for vessel un-repaired damages This element relates to the insurance payments for un-repaired vessels Insurance settlements for vessel un-repaired damages Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure Abstract Basis of Presentation and General Information Advances for Vessels under Construction and Acquisitions and Other Vessel Costs Abstract Advances for Vessels under Construction and Acquisitions and Other Vessel Costs Text Block Advances for Vessels under Construction and Acquisitions and Other Vessel Costs The disclosure relating to advances paid for vessel acquisitions or construction and other vessel costs relating to the predelivery period Property and Equipment Abstract Property and Equipment Text Block Property and Equipment Disclosure of the gross amounts and the related depreciation, at the balance sheet date, of long-lived, depreciable assets including land and office building and other assets commonly used in offices. Examples include desks, chairs, and store fixtures, computers and computer software. Prepaid Charter Revenue Abstract Prepaid Charter Revenue, Current And Non Current Text Block Prepaid Charter Revenue, current and non-current The disclosure relating to the amounts recorded as assets and relate to vessels acquired with time charter agreements attached, the time charter rates of which, exceeded the related market rates at the date of delivery of the vessel. Voyage And Vessel Operating Expenses Abstract Voyage And Vessel Operating Expenses Text Block Voyage and Vessel Operating Expenses Tabular disclosure of voyage and operating expenses relating to the operation and maintenance of the vessels, which are not separately disclosed in the income statement. Subsequent Events Abstract Subsequent Events Subsequent Events Text Block Subsequent Events The entire disclosure for significant events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date the financial statements were issued or the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Examples include: the sale of a capital stock issue, purchase of a business, settlement of litigation, catastrophic loss, significant foreign exchange rate changes, loans to insiders or affiliates, and transactions not in the ordinary course of business. Interest and Finance Costs Abstract Interest and finance costs text block Interest and Finance Costs Tabular disclosure of interest and finance costs and amortization. Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared And Paid Dividends declared and paid, per share Dividends declared and paid in cash during the reporting period Accounts receivable, trade Other comprehensive income / (expense) Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Additional paid-in capital Other Assets Payments To Acquire Productive Assets Amortization of financing costs Compensation cost on restricted stock CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Earnings per common share, basic Earnings Per Share Basic Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents Interest payments, net of amounts capitalized Inventories Increase Decrease In Inventories Inventories Accrued liabilities Other assets Other assets Prepayments and other Prepayments and other Receivables Receivables (Increase) Decrease in: Accounts payable Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Due to related parties Increase Decrease In Due To Related Parties Current Commitments and Contingencies Common stock shares authorized Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock shares issued Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock shares outstanding Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common stock, $0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized and 81,955,813 and 81,431,696 issued and outstanding at December 31,2010 and 2009, respectively Total current liabilities Total current liabilities CURRENT LIABILITIES: Long-term debt, current and non-current Deferred charges, net Deferred Revenue Abstract Deferred Revenue, current and non-current Deferred revenue, current portion Deferred Revenue, non-current portion Fair value of derivative instruments Change in fair value of derivative instruments Derivative Gain Loss On Derivative Net Financial Instruments Earnings per common share, diluted Earnings Per Share Diluted Cash Dividends Cash dividends Proceeds from dividend reinvestment Financing costs Financing costs General Discussion Of Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Abstract Income Statement Abstract Income Taxes Inventories Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current portion of long-term debt Long-term debt, non-current portion Non-controlling interests Net Cash provided by Financing Activities Net Cash provided by / (used in) Financing Activities Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Net Cash used in Investing Activities Net Cash used in Investing Activities Net Cash used in Investing Activities Cash Flows used in Investing Activities: Net Cash provided by Operating Activities Net Cash provided by Operating Activities Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income attributed to Diana Shipping Inc. Net income attributed to Diana Shipping Inc. Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Interest and finance costs Interest and finance costs Total other income (expenses), net Total other expenses, net OTHER INCOME / (EXPENSES): Operating income Operating income REVENUES: Basis of Presentation and General Information Actuarial gains Actuarial gains / (losses) Preferred stock shares authorized Preferred Stock Shares Authorized Preferred stock shares issued Preferred Stock Shares Issued Preferred stock shares outstanding Preferred Stock Shares Outstanding Preferred stock par value Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Proceeds from issuance of share capital, net of expenses Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Proceeds From Minority Shareholders Contributions from non-controlling interests Proceeds from long-term debt Vessels Vessels' net book value Vessels' net book value Property Plant And Equipment Abstract Payments To Acquire Real Estate Real property acquisition Related Party Transactions Payments of long-term debt Loan payments Retained earnings Vessels Property Plant And Equipment Text Block Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Measurement Disclosures Abstract General and administrative expenses Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Statement Of Cash Flows Abstract Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Stockholders Equity Note Abstract Capital Stock and Changes in Capital Accounts SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Total current assets Total current assets CURRENT ASSETS: Weighted average number of common shares, diluted Weighted average number of common shares, basic Common Stock FIXED ASSETS: Total assets Total Assets Interest income Other current liabilities Other non-current liabilities Equity Statement [Table] ASSETS Statement [Line Items] Actuarial gains / (losses) Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification Of Defined Benefit Plans Net Gain Loss Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost Net Of Ta Accrual For Environmental Loss Contingencies Abstract Deferred revenue Deferred revenue Other Assets Noncurrent Other non-current assets Earnings Per Share Abstract Other liabilities Amortization of free lubricants benefit Amortization of free lubricants benefit General Policies Abstract Long Term Debt Abstract Common stock par value Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Vessel operating expenses Stockholders' equity of Diana Shipping Inc. Stockholders' equity of Diana Shipping Inc. Acrued Income Taxes Abstract Foreign currency gains Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax Preferred stock, $0,01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued Statement Equity Components [Axis] Additional Paid In Capital Retained Earnings / (Accumulated Deficit) Equity Component [Domain] Contributions from non-controlling interests Issuance of common stock Issuance of common stock, shares Comprehensive Income EXPENSES: Dividends declared and paid Dividends declared and paid Shares Issued Balance as of shares Balance as of shares Earnings Per Share Net income Net income Profit Loss Loss assumed by non-controlling interests Net Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Depreciation and amortization of deferred charges Total stockholders equity Total stockholders equity Balance as of Balance as of Noncontrolling Interests Diana Shipping Inc. Total Equity Commitments and contingencies Fair value of derivative instruments Credit Derivative Current Fair Value Investments in time deposits Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities: Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities Current And Noncurrent Due to related parties Due To Related Parties Current And Noncurrent Related Party Transaction Due From To Related Party Abstract Other Comprehensive Income / (Expense) Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net Loss from derivative instruments Amendment description Amendment flag Current fiscal year end date Document period end date Entity well known seasoned issuer Entity voluntary filers Entity current reporting status Entity filer category Entity public float Entity registrant name Entity central index key Entity common stock shares outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document type