PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property plant and equipment gross excluding construction in progress of vessel and non vessel	$ 564,968,000	$ 617,205,000
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(151,318,000)	(171,820,000)
Property plant and equipment net excluding construction in progress vessel and non vessel	413,650,000	445,385,000
Construction-in-progress (vessel and non-vessel)	10,000	20,729,000
Net Vessels, Property, Plant and Equipment	413,660,000	466,114,000
Depreciation expense	24,975,000	26,391,000	18,898,000
Pure Car/Truck Carriers [Member]
Summary of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property plant and equipment gross excluding construction in progress of vessel and non vessel	132,393,000	290,830,000
Special Purpose Vessels [Member]
Summary of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property plant and equipment gross excluding construction in progress of vessel and non vessel	59,462,000	59,479,000
Coal Carrier [Member]
Summary of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property plant and equipment gross excluding construction in progress of vessel and non vessel	92,771,000	92,771,000
Tanker [Member]
Summary of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property plant and equipment gross excluding construction in progress of vessel and non vessel	8,009,000	8,009,000
Bulk Carriers [Member]
Summary of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property plant and equipment gross excluding construction in progress of vessel and non vessel	200,537,000	130,616,000
Tug and Barge Units [Member]
Summary of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property plant and equipment gross excluding construction in progress of vessel and non vessel	32,000,000	0
Non-Vessel Related Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Summary of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property plant and equipment gross excluding construction in progress of vessel and non vessel	39,796,000	35,500,000
Property Plant and Equipment [Member]
Summary of property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 24,975,000	$ 26,391,000	$ 18,898,000