Name:	sfl_AmountsRepresentingEstimatedExecutoryCostsIncludingProfitThereonIncludedInTotalMinimumLeasePayments
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The estimate of the lease property's economic value at the end of the direct financing lease term, excluding any amounts guaranteed by either the lessee or a third-party.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_EstimatedResidualValuesOfLeasedPropertyUnGuaranteed
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Net Investment In Lease And Leaseback Assets

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_NetInvestmentInLeaseAndLeasebackAssets
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Net Investment In Lease And Leaseback Assets, Current

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_NetInvestmentInLeaseAndLeasebackAssetsCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Net Investment In Lease And Leaseback Assets, Noncurrent

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_NetInvestmentInLeaseAndLeasebackAssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of remaining payments as of the balance sheet date that lessees are obligated to make or can be required to make under direct financing and sales-type leases, including any guarantee of residual value, but excluding executory costs. The amount also includes any guaranteed rental payments by an unrelated third-party provided that they are financially capable of making such payments.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_NetMinimumLeasePaymentsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of remaining payments as of the balance sheet date that lessees are obligated to make or can be required to make under direct financing and sales-type leases, including any guarantee of residual value and executory costs. The amount also includes any guaranteed rental payments by an unrelated third-party provided that they are financially capable of making such payments.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_TotalMinimumLeasePaymentsToBeReceived
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The remaining (unamortized) difference between the gross investment in a direct financing or sales-type lease and the cost or carrying amount, if different, of the leased property as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	sfl_UnearnedIncome
Namespace Prefix:	sfl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The net amount due within one year of the balance sheet date or the normal operating cycle, if longer, consisting of: (a) minimum lease payments due on direct financing and sales-type leases, (b) unguaranteed residual value, and (c) any unamortized initial direct costs on direct financing leases; less: (i) executory costs, (ii) unearned income, and (iii) the accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84165051&loc=d3e45377-112738

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesLessorBalanceSheetNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingAndSalesTypeLeasesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The net amount due after one year of the balance sheet date or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, consisting of: (a) minimum lease payments due on direct financing and sales-type leases, (b) unguaranteed residual value, and (c) any unamortized initial direct costs on direct financing leases; less: (i) executory costs, (ii) unearned income, and (iii) the accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments.

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesLessorBalanceSheetNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingAndSalesTypeLeasesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The lessor's asset under sales type and direct financing leases. The net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases as of the balance sheet date consisting of: (a) minimum lease payments due on direct financing leases, (b) unguaranteed residual value, and (c) any unamortized initial direct costs on direct financing leases; less: (i) estimated executory costs, (ii) unearned income, and (iii) the accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments.

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingAndSalesTypeLeases
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.