DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Ship Finance International LTD
Entity Central Index Key	0001289877
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 965,133,270
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	93,468,000
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	20-F
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015