Schedule I Condensed Financial Information Parent - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 07, 2014	Mar. 29, 2010	Mar. 07, 2003
2021								$ 301,000
Thereafter								390,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage												8.125%
Gain (loss) on repurchase of debt instrument								(3,237,000)	$ (2,988,000)	$ (26,516,000)
Deposits	$ 27,491,000
Debt instrument, annual principal payment	26,417,000
Accrued and unpaid interest	$ 514,000
Payments for reimbursable agreements to related party		$ 1,969,000
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations			$ (340,153,000)	$ (45,884,000)	$ 34,045,000	$ 59,437,000		0	(292,555,000)	203,395,000
Proceeds from affilated entity operating activities								0	$ 202,000,000	200,000,000
Notes750 Percent Due2024 [Member]
Early repayment of senior debt								0
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage													7.50%
Notes8125 Percent Due2018 [Member]
Early repayment of senior debt								$ 55,202,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			8.125%					8.125%	8.125%			8.125%
Notes750 Percent Due2024 And Notes8125 Percent Due2018 [Member]
Gain (loss) on repurchase of debt instrument								$ (2,000)	$ (2,463,000)
Write off of deferred debt issuance cost								504,000
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Loan [Member]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	8.125%
Gain (loss) on repurchase of debt instrument	$ (742,000)
Write off of deferred debt issuance cost	182,000
Parent Company [Member]
Debtor-in-possession financing, amount arranged											$ 1,500,000,000
2021								301,000
Thereafter								390,000
Deposits	$ 27,491
Payments for reimbursable agreements to related party								50,000,000
(Loss)/income from discontinued operations							$ (292,555,000)	0	(292,555,000)	203,395,000
Proceeds from equity method investment, dividends or distributions, return of capital								50,000,000	51,832,000	25,000,000
Other significant noncash transaction, value of consideration given									884,591,000	1,502,000
Parent Company [Member] | Notes750 Percent Due2024 [Member]
Early repayment of senior debt								$ 0	$ 294,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			7.50%					7.50%	7.50%				7.50%
Parent Company [Member] | Notes8125 Percent Due2018 [Member]
Early repayment of senior debt								$ 55,000	$ 37,345,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage												8.125%
Parent Company [Member] | Notes750 Percent Due2024 And Notes8125 Percent Due2018 [Member]
Gain (loss) on repurchase of debt instrument								(2,495,000)		(26,516,000)
Write off of deferred debt issuance cost								504,000	784,000
Repayments of secured debt										326,051,000
Parent Company [Member] | The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Loan [Member]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	8.125%
Gain (loss) on repurchase of debt instrument	$ (742,000)
Write off of deferred debt issuance cost	$ 182,000
International Seaways Incorporated [Member]
Related party transaction, due from (to) related party, noncurrent			$ 47,000					$ 65,000	47,000
Proceeds from affilated entity operating activities									202,000,000	200,000,000
Proceeds from equity method investment, dividends or distributions, return of capital									202,000,000
Other significant noncash transaction, value of consideration given									895,650,000
Osg Bulk Ships Inc [Member]
Proceeds from affilated entity operating activities									51,295,000
Proceeds from equity method investment, dividends or distributions, return of capital									51,295,000
Osg Bulk Ships Inc [Member] | International Seaways Incorporated [Member]
Proceeds from equity method investment, dividends or distributions, return of capital										$ 25,000,000
Osg Financial Corporation [Member]
Proceeds from affilated entity operating activities									537,000
Proceeds from equity method investment, dividends or distributions, return of capital									$ 537,000