Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred tax assets:
Pension liability	$ 5,779	$ 4,030
Accrued liabilities for incentive compensation	13,630	8,762
Net operating loss carryforward	172,073	128,654
State tax credits and net operating loss carryforward	23,231	18,888
Long-term contracts	10,791	31,857
Other	8,606	5,316
Total deferred tax assets	234,110	197,507
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	(208,061)	(160,266)
Deferred tax assets	26,049	37,241
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment	14,072	14,223
Prepaid drydock	6,633	8,018
Investments in joint ventures and affiliated companies	8,988	14,810
Unrealized exchange gains and other	3,424	3,410
Total deferred tax liabilities	33,117	40,461
Net deferred tax liability	(7,068)	(3,220)
Deferred tax assets and liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets include:
Current deferred tax assets	9,765	11,931
Noncurrent deferred tax assets	4,180	6,227
Total deferred tax assets	13,945	18,158
Current deferred tax liabilities	10,758	13,187
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities	10,255	8,191
Total deferred tax liabilities	21,013	21,378
Net deferred tax liability	$ (7,068)	$ (3,220)