Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Effect of Non-designated Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Impairment of assets to be sold	$ 122,860,600	$ 6,167,262			$ 50,872,734
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Amount of gain/(loss)			$ 37,905	$ (561,495)	0
Fair value of derivatives	0		55,675	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | FFAs | Fair value of Derivatives
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Derivative liability	0		(73,170)	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Bunker swaps | Other current assets
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Derivative asset	$ 0		128,845	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other income/(expense) | FFAs
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Amount of gain/(loss)			(284,097)	(541,677)	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other income/(expense) | Bunker swaps
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Amount of gain/(loss)			413,577	0	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other income/(expense) | Commissions
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Amount of gain/(loss)			$ (91,575)	$ (19,818)	$ 0