Variable interest entities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]

Schedule of carrying amounts of consolidated assets and liabilities of variable interest entity

	2012	2011
December 31,	$’000	$’000
Current assets	18,511	8,167
Property, plant and equipment	183,793	185,788
Goodwill	40,395	40,395
Other assets	2,114	2,185
Total assets	244,813	236,535
Current liabilities	6,382	6,101
Third-party debt, including $1,795 and $1,784 current portion	97,945	90,529
Other liabilities	14,740	14,139
Deferred income taxes	60,326	61,072
Total liabilities	179,393	171,841
Net assets (before amounts payable to OEH of $90,807 and $92,263)	65,420	64,694

Schedule of Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entity, Assets Liabilities [Table Text Block]

The carrying amounts and maximum exposures to loss as a result of OEH's involvement with its Peru rail joint venture are as follows:

	Carrying Amounts		Maximum Exposure
	2012	2011	2012	2011
December 31,	$’000	$’000	$’000	$’000
Investment	32,973	35,001	32,973	35,001
Due from unconsolidated company	4,803	4,917	4,803	4,917
Guarantees	—	—	7,558	9,052
Contingent guarantees	—	—	17,149	16,632
Total	37,776	39,918	62,483	65,602