Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 03, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jul. 28, 2011
Korea Line Corporation Protective Receivership, Description						Korea Line Corporation ("KLC"), one of our charterers, filed for protective receivership in Seoul, South Korea. On February 15, 2011, the Korean courts approved this request. The Company has temporarily taken back the employment of all affected chartered vessels and re-chartered them out on the spot and short-term time charter markets, pursuant to terms approved by the Korean court. Earnings during this interim period were used to offset the charter hire otherwise due from KLC.
Korea Line Corporation Comprehensive Agreement Description	the Company reached a comprehensive agreement with the receivers of KLC regarding twelve time-chartered vessels impacted by KLC''''s decision to file for protective receivership, which was certified by the joint receivers on March 15, 2011.		the Company reached a comprehensive agreement with the receivers of KLC regarding twelve time-chartered vessels impacted by KLC''''s decision to file for protective receivership, which was certified by the joint receivers on March 15, 2011.			On October 14, 2011, following a vote by the interested creditors, the Korean court approved a Rehabilitation Plan, pursuant to which 37% of the Company''s claim in respect of the period up to February 15, 2011 will be paid in cash installments from 2012 through 2021. The majority of the cash payment installments will be paid in the last five years, and the remaining 63% of the said claim will be converted to KLC stock. On July 2, 2012 the Company took possession of the KLC stock. The KLC stock is designated as Available for sale and is reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in shareholders'' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. On June 30, 2012 KLC stock fair value was $227,354.The Company evaluated the KLC matter to make a determination as to the impact, if any, on our business, liquidity, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and recorded an initial allowance for bad debt in the first quarter of 2011 of $6,586,900, which was updated in the fourth quarter of 2011 to reflect the settlement on November 24, 2011. Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company adjusted the allowance to $1,811,320, which reflects our recovery of $1,269,070 and write off of $3,506,510. As of June 30, 2012, KLC is not performing in accordance with the $17,000 per vessel per day shortfall arrangement and KLC owes the Company approximately $21.9 million. That revenue does not meet the Company''s revenue recognition policy and is not included in the Company''s financial statements. The Company will recognize that revenue and any future revenue from KLC when collectability is assured.
Adjusted Chartered Rate Value (in dollars)	$ 17,000							$ 13,500
Adjusted Chartered Rate Value Minimum (in dollars)						17,000
Adjusted Chartered Rate Value Maximum (in dollars)						21,000
Contingency Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits Description				On June 13, 2011, a complaint against our board of directors and a former director was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging, among other things, that the directors breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty, good faith and care in connection with (i) director and officer compensation in the years 2008, 2009 and 2010; (ii) the Company''''s Management Agreement with Delphin Shipping LLC ("Delphin") (specifically, according to the complaint, alleged conflicts of interest between the Company''''s Chief Executive Officer, Delphin and the Company); and (iii) the adjournment of the Company''''s 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The complaint seeks rescission of director and officer compensation for those years as well as the Management Agreement, and seeks unspecified damages.
Management Fee, Amount Paid (in dollars)					9,966	10,367	9,698
Commitments and Contingencies Agreement Description		Company entered into an agreement to charter-in a 37,000 dwt newbuilding Japanese vessel that is expected to be delivered between May and October 2014 for seven years with an option for an additional one year.
First To Seventh Year [Member]
Korea Line Corporation Protective Receivership, Description						Korea Line Corporation ("KLC"), one of our charterers, filed for protective receivership in Seoul, South Korea. On February 15, 2011, the Korean courts approved this request. The Company has temporarily taken back the employment of all affected chartered vessels and re-chartered them out on the spot and short-term time charter markets, pursuant to terms approved by the Korean court. Earnings during this interim period were used to offset the charter hire otherwise due from KLC.
Hire Rate Payable (in dollars)								13,500
Eighth Year [Member]
Hire Rate Payable (in dollars)								$ 13,750