CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Pool revenues, received from companies accounted for by the equity method	$ 78,523	$ 83,955	$ 68,231

Revenues earned from Pools that are equity method investments.

No definition available.

Name:	osgiq_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationShippingPoolRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	osgiq_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration