SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Segment
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]                      
Number of operating segments                 2    
Voyage Revenue from External Customers [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated voyage revenue from external customers                 $ 224,179 $ 223,159 $ 388,929
Intersegment revenue [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated intersegment revenue 81,785 59,433 45,760 40,486 49,247 54,431 62,931 59,844 227,464 226,453 392,214
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization                 140,743 139,063 136,203
Interest expense [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated interest expense                 88,216 87,558 86,722
Net (loss) income [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated net (loss) income (19,155) (36,976) (48,940) (51,950) (48,864) (42,037) (30,492) (36,383) (157,021) (157,776) 25,068
Total assets [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated assets 2,957,254       2,843,371       2,957,254 2,843,371  
Expenditures for vessels [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated expenditures for vessels                 145,350 1,155 130,328
Intersegment Revenue [Member]
                      
Intersegment revenue [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated intersegment revenue                 0 0 0
Operating Segments [Member]
                      
Voyage Revenue from External Customers [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated voyage revenue from external customers                 224,179 223,159 388,929
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization                 140,908 139,219 136,359
Interest expense [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated interest expense                 88,216 87,558 86,722
Net (loss) income [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated net (loss) income                 (155,446) (156,565) 27,478
Total assets [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated assets 2,962,178       2,846,856       2,962,178 2,846,856  
Expenditures for vessels [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated expenditures for vessels                 146,790 1,155 131,406
Operating Segments [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]
                      
Intersegment revenue [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated intersegment revenue                 4,571 2,816 3,024
GS&T [Member]
                      
Voyage Revenue from External Customers [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated voyage revenue from external customers                 188,206 195,855 345,437
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization                 125,344 124,405 121,590
Interest expense [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated interest expense                 83,761 83,306 82,300
Net (loss) income [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated net (loss) income                 (144,054) (139,295) 27,908
Total assets [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated assets 2,404,811       2,482,486       2,404,811 2,482,486  
Expenditures for vessels [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated expenditures for vessels                 192 1,155 128,836
GS&T [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]
                      
Intersegment revenue [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated intersegment revenue                 4,571 2,816 3,024
Baltic Trading [Member]
                      
Voyage Revenue from External Customers [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated voyage revenue from external customers                 35,973 27,304 43,492
Intersegment revenue [Abstract]                      
Percentage of purchase fee capitalized as part of vessel assets (in hundredths)                 1.00%    
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization                 15,564 14,814 14,769
Interest expense [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated interest expense                 4,455 4,252 4,422
Net (loss) income [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated net (loss) income                 (11,392) (17,270) (430)
Total assets [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated assets 557,367       364,370       557,367 364,370  
Expenditures for vessels [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated expenditures for vessels                 146,598 0 2,570
Baltic Trading [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]
                      
Intersegment revenue [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated intersegment revenue                 0 0 0
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
                      
Voyage Revenue from External Customers [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated voyage revenue from external customers                 0 0 0
Depreciation and amortization [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization                 (165) (156) (156)
Interest expense [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated interest expense                 0 0 0
Net (loss) income [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated net (loss) income                 1,575 1,211 2,410
Total assets [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated assets (4,924)       (3,485)       (4,924) (3,485)  
Expenditures for vessels [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated expenditures for vessels                 (1,440) 0 (1,078)
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]
                      
Intersegment revenue [Abstract]                      
Total consolidated intersegment revenue                 $ (4,571) $ (2,816) $ (3,024)