Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	World Fuel Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest Equity
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,346,718	$ 712	$ 502,551	$ 836,222	$ (6,524)	$ 1,332,961	$ 13,757
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		71,154
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income	156,326			146,509		146,509	9,817
Cash dividends declared	(8,019)			(8,019)		(8,019)
Distribution of noncontrolling interest	(1,322)						(1,322)
Amortization of share-based payment awards	9,800		9,800			9,800
Issuance of common stock related to share-based payment awards, including income tax benefit of $2,692 and $1,519 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively	4,248	9	4,239			4,248
Issuance of common stock related to share-based payment awards (in shares)		967
Purchases of common stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards	(4,730)		(4,730)			(4,730)
Purchases of common stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards (in shares)		(34)
Other comprehensive loss	(8,731)				(8,731)	(8,731)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	1,494,290	721	511,860	974,712	(15,255)	1,472,038	22,252
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012		72,087
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,541,624	721	517,589	1,014,882	(16,018)	1,517,174	24,450
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	72,147	72,147
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income	153,765			151,213		151,213	2,552
Cash dividends declared	(8,013)			(8,013)		(8,013)
Investment by noncontrolling interest	10,019						10,019
Distribution of noncontrolling interest	(14,497)						(14,497)
Amortization of share-based payment awards	12,371		12,371			12,371
Issuance of common stock related to share-based payment awards, including income tax benefit of $2,692 and $1,519 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively	2,692	7	2,685			2,692
Issuance of common stock related to share-based payment awards (in shares)		681
Purchases of common stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards	(6,645)		(6,645)			(6,645)
Purchases of common stock tendered by employees to satisfy the required withholding taxes related to share-based payment awards (in shares)		(15)
Purchases of common stock	(20,000)	(5)	(19,995)			(20,000)
Purchases of common stock (in shares)		(536)
Other comprehensive loss	(9,060)				(9,060)	(9,060)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 1,662,256	$ 723	$ 506,005	$ 1,158,082	$ (25,078)	$ 1,639,732	$ 22,524
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	72,277	72,277