FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, DERIVATIVES AND FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Asset Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$ 0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	165
Total derivatives	165
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	(7,218)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	(378)
Total derivatives	(7,596)
Short Term Derivative Instruments [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Inventories Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Asset Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	0
Short Term Derivative Instruments [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Accounts Payable Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	(6,109)
Short Term Derivative Instruments [Member] | Forward Freight Agreements and Bunker Swaps [Member] | Inventories Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Asset Derivatives
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	165
Short Term Derivative Instruments [Member] | Forward Freight Agreements and Bunker Swaps [Member] | Accounts Payable Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	0
Short Term Derivative Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Inventories Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Asset Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	0
Short Term Derivative Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Accounts Payable Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	0
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	(57)
Long Term Derivative Instruments [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Asset Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	0
Long Term Derivative Instruments [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	(1,109)
Long Term Derivative Instruments [Member] | Forward Freight Agreements and Bunker Swaps [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Asset Derivatives
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	0
Long Term Derivative Instruments [Member] | Forward Freight Agreements and Bunker Swaps [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$ (321)