CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Reclassification from deposits on vessels to vessels, net of accumulated depreciation due to completion of purchase of the Genco Rhone and Genco Avra		$ 10,354
Cash paid for interest	61,632	61,642
Cash paid for estimated income taxes	926	1,010
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Amount of vessel purchases included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	31	804
Deposits on vessel purchases included in accounts payable and accrued expenses		26
Purchases of other fixed assets included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	77	1,305
Deferred financing fees included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	246
Long-term interest payable
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Deferred financing fees included in accounts payable and accrued expenses	13,199
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Interest receivable associated with deposits on vessels included in prepaid expenses and other current assets		$ 15