Investments in affiliates and investments in available-for-sale securities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
1 Months Ended 2 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 5 Months Ended 10 Months Ended 11 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2019
Jan. 31, 2019
Feb. 28, 2019
Feb. 28, 2018
Feb. 21, 2018
Mar. 31, 2018
May 21, 2019
Nov. 14, 2018
Dec. 06, 2018
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                        
Investments in affiliate companies                   $ 56,988 $ 64,352  
Other than temporary impairment loss on investments                   6,050 0 $ 0
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies                   (1,293) $ (9,185) (80,205)
Stockholders' equity, Reverse stock split one-for-ten reverse stock split                      
Navios Partners                        
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                        
Partners capital account units acquisitions     7,775     27,960         29,888  
Partners capital account acquisitions         $ 5,000              
Payments to acquire investment     $ 8   $ 714 $ 64         $ 27  
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies                   $ 0 $ 1,842 1,828
Navios Partners                        
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                        
Private placement of units to directors and/or officers     380,952     1,370,044         1,464,494  
Number of shares issued-common stock         18,422,000              
Stockholders' equity, Reverse stock split             1-for-15 reverse stock split          
Navios Acquisition                        
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                        
Stockholders' equity, Reverse stock split               one-for-15 reverse stock spilt        
Navios Holdings | Navios Partners                        
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                        
General partner interest of Navios Holdings     2.00%   2.00% 2.00%       2.00% 2.00%  
Navios Partners                        
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                        
Common units held by Navios Holdings                   2,070,216    
Ownership percentage of Navios Holdings                   17.90%    
Difference between carrying amount of investment and underlying equity in net assets of equity method investee                   $ 77,904 $ 101,492  
Investments in affiliate companies                   39,133 35,116  
Other than temporary impairment loss on investments                   0 0 55,524
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies                   5,466 13,526 16,171
Dividends received                   1,449 2,692 2,068
Market value of the investment                   $ 23,186    
Acropolis                        
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                        
Ownership percentage of Navios Holdings                 35.00%      
Cash consideration from sale of investments                 $ 1,000      
Gain on sale of investments                 $ 866      
Procceds from sale of investments                     500 500
Ownership Interest                 50.00%      
Profit Sharing Arrangement                   Navios Holdings, until the sale of its investment, had a 50% interest in Acropolis. Although Navios Holdings owned 50% of Acropolis’ stock, Navios Holdings agreed with the other shareholder that the earnings and amounts declared by way of dividends would be allocated 35% to the Company with the balance to the other shareholder.    
Dividends received                   $ 0 0 170
Navios Acquisition                        
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                        
Ownership percentage of Navios Holdings                   29.50%    
Difference between carrying amount of investment and underlying equity in net assets of equity method investee                   $ 68,793 79,477  
Investments in affiliate companies                   15,033 19,894  
Other than temporary impairment loss on investments                   13,368 13,543 0
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies                   13,129 (11,098) (43,378)
Dividends received                   5,838 $ 4,379 $ 5,838
Market value of the investment                   $ 15,033    
Share Repurchase Program | Navios Partners                        
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                        
Share repurchase program, Authorized amount   $ 50,000                    
Share repurchase program, Period in force   2 years                    
Number of shares repurchased                   4,694,279    
Share Repurchase Program | Navios Acquisition                        
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                        
Share repurchase program, Authorized amount       $ 25,000                
Share repurchase program, Period in force       2 years                
Number of shares repurchased                   735,251