Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and General Information (Details Textual)			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2016	Oct. 02, 2014	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) t	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Supramax Vessels [Member]
Vessels In Operation			43
Handymax Vessels [Member]
Vessels In Operation			1
Reclassification of Technical Management Cost From Vessel Expenses to General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment				$ 1,500,000
December 31, 2015 [Member] | Reclassification of Deferred Financing Costs to Reduction of Long-term Debt [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment			$ 435,816
Vessels In Operation			44
Dead Weight Tonnage of Operating Fleet | t			2,404,064
Average Age in Years of Operating Fleet			8 years 255 days
Charters Agreement Term	1 year 180 days	7 years