Investments in affiliates and investments in available-for-sale securities - Navios Containers (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
2 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 4 Months Ended 5 Months Ended 11 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2019
Mar. 13, 2018
Mar. 31, 2018
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2019
Jun. 08, 2017
Dec. 03, 2018
Nov. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]                      
Equity in net (losses)/earnings of affiliated companies                 $ (9,185) $ (80,205) $ 4,399
Investments in affiliates         $ 64,352       $ 64,352 $ 91,111  
Navios Containers                      
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]                      
Investments on the equity   $ 500       $ 5,000          
Ownership percentage of Navios Holdings                 3.70%    
Equity in net (losses)/earnings of affiliated companies         155     $ 417     $ 161
Investments in affiliates         2,682       $ 2,682    
Market value of the investment         $ 2,716       $ 2,716    
Navios Containers                      
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]                      
Ownership interest               96.30%      
Date of conversion into a limited partnership                 Nov. 30, 2018    
Warrants | Navios Containers                      
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]                      
Ownership interest           1.70%          
Navios Partners                      
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]                      
Partners' Capital Account, Units, Sold in Private Placement 380,952   1,370,044 2,040,000           1,464,494  
Navios Partners | Navios Containers                      
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]                      
Consolidation Less Than Wholly Owned Subsidiary Parent Ownership Interest Changes Purchase Of Interest By Parent           $ 30,000          
Navios Partners | Navios Containers                      
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]                      
Percentage of partners' capital             2.50%        
Navios Partners | Warrants | Navios Containers                      
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]                      
Ownership percentage           6.80%          
Navios Containers | Common units                      
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]                      
Partners' Capital Account, Units, Sold in Private Placement           10,057,645          
Price per share offered           $ 5          
Proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement           $ 50,288