FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, DERIVATIVES AND FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Gain/(loss) recognized on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$ 1,376	$ 783	$ 276
Forward Freight Agreements and Bunker Swaps [Member] \| Other Income [Member]
Gain/(loss) recognized on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	1,376	840	276
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Gain/(loss) recognized on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$ 0	$ (57)	$ 0

Net gain (loss) from the increase (decrease) in fair value of derivative instrument not designated as hedging instrument.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)(b)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration