Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Preference Shares [Member]	Ordinary Shares [Member]	Warrants [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total TBS International plc Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Non-controlling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 312	$ 21	$ 193,718	$ (8,405)	$ 113,103	$ (1,177)	$ 297,572	$ (698)	$ 296,874
Cumulative adjustment for impairment of goodwill						(8,426)		(8,426)		(8,426)
Balance at December 31, 2010, as adjusted		312	21	193,718	(8,405)	104,677	(1,177)	289,146	(698)	288,448
Net loss						(52,296)		(52,296)	(2,870)	(55,166)
Foreign currency translation adjustments					1,413			1,413		1,413
Change in unrealized gain on cash flow hedges					2,245			2,245		2,245
Stock based compensation		7		1,992				1,999		1,999
Proceeds from private offerings of Series A and B Preference Shares	1			10,816				10,817		10,817
Acquisition of treasury stock							(248)	(248)		(248)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 1	$ 319	$ 21	$ 206,526	$ (4,747)	$ 52,381	$ (1,425)	$ 253,076	$ (3,568)	$ 249,508