VESSELS, DEFERRED DRYDOCK AND OTHER PROPERTY (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 Vessels Dead_Weight_Tonnages		Dec. 31, 2011 Dead_Weight_Tonnages Vessels	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cost	$ 3,665,005		$ 3,776,344	$ 3,066,763	$ 2,671,292
Accumulated Depreciation	(948,448)		(818,555)	(707,795)	(624,299)
Net Carrying Value	2,837,288		3,226,923
Number of Owned Vessels	11
International Other Segment [Member]
Cost			28,682
Accumulated Depreciation			(23,998)
Net Carrying Value			4,684
Average Vessel Age			24.3
Number of Owned Vessels			1
Vessels [Member]
Cost	3,665,005		3,776,344
Accumulated Depreciation	(948,448)		(818,555)
Net Carrying Value	2,716,557		2,957,789	2,358,968	2,046,993
Average Vessel Age	9.0		8.5
Number of Owned Vessels	60		59
Vessels [Member] | U S [Member]
Cost	1,147,341		1,042,286
Accumulated Depreciation	(172,241)		(115,880)
Net Carrying Value	975,100		926,406
Average Vessel Age	5.4		5.1
Number of Owned Vessels	14		12
Vessels [Member] | International Crude Tankers Segment [Member]
Cost	1,819,595		1,770,111
Accumulated Depreciation	(578,748)		(509,055)
Net Carrying Value	1,240,847		1,261,056
Average Vessel Age	9.8		9.4
Number of Owned Vessels	28		27
Vessels [Member] | International Crude Tankers Segment [Member] | Very Large Crude Carrier Vessel [Member]
Cost	983,018		903,878
Accumulated Depreciation	(271,191)		(234,542)
Net Carrying Value	711,827	[1]	669,336
Average Vessel Age	9.5		9.2
Number of Owned Vessels	11		10
Vessels [Member] | International Crude Tankers Segment [Member] | Suezmaxes [Member]
Cost	734		1,494
Accumulated Depreciation	(450)		(605)
Net Carrying Value	284	[2]	889
Number of Owned Vessels	0		0
Vessels [Member] | International Crude Tankers Segment [Member] | Aframaxes Vessel [Member]
Cost	367,859		399,955
Accumulated Depreciation	(157,233)		(142,683)
Net Carrying Value	210,626	[3]	257,272
Average Vessel Age	11.0		10.0
Number of Owned Vessels	8		8
Vessels [Member] | International Crude Tankers Segment [Member] | Panamaxes [Member]
Cost	467,984		464,784
Accumulated Depreciation	(149,874)		(131,225)
Net Carrying Value	318,110		333,559
Average Vessel Age	10.1		9.1
Number of Owned Vessels	9		9
Vessels [Member] | International Product Carriers Segment [Member]
Cost	698,069		935,265
Accumulated Depreciation	(197,459)		(169,622)
Net Carrying Value	500,610	[4]	765,643
Average Vessel Age	6.6		5.5
Number of Owned Vessels	18		19
Vessels [Member] | International Product Carriers Segment [Member] | Panamax [Member]
Cost	249,028		248,349
Accumulated Depreciation	(33,078)		(23,718)
Net Carrying Value	215,950		224,631
Average Vessel Age	4.1		3.1
Number of Owned Vessels	4		4
Vessels [Member] | International Product Carriers Segment [Member] | Handysize Product Carrier Vessel [Member]
Cost	449,041		686,916
Accumulated Depreciation	(164,381)		(145,904)
Net Carrying Value	$ 284,660		$ 541,012
Average Vessel Age	7.8		6.5
Number of Owned Vessels	14		15

[1] Includes five VLCCs that are pledged as collateral under secured term loans due through 2023, as discussed in Note 11, “Debt,” with an aggregate net carrying value of $486,103.

[2] Represents capital expenditures made by the Company on bareboat chartered-in vessels.

[3] Includes three Aframaxes that are pledged as collateral under secured term loans due through 2023, as discussed in Note 11, Debt, with an aggregate carrying value of $133,433.

[4] Includes five Handysize Product Carriers and two Panamax Product Carriers that are pledged as collateral under secured term loans due through 2020, as discussed in Note 11, Debt, with an aggregate carrying value of $284,802.