Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Airfreight services	$ 2,633,830	$ 2,600,916	$ 2,893,474
Ocean freight and ocean services	1,958,231	1,974,891	1,878,595
Customs brokerage and other services	1,488,196	1,416,408	1,389,468
Total revenues	6,080,257	5,992,215	6,161,537
Operating Expenses:
Airfreight services	1,994,374	1,983,696	2,193,122
Ocean freight and ocean services	1,521,340	1,542,170	1,443,170
Customs brokerage and other services	681,690	630,979	617,729
Salaries and related costs	1,032,601	995,052	993,358
Rent and occupancy costs	98,437	98,580	94,778
Depreciation and amortization	48,071	39,940	36,776
Selling and promotion	33,243	34,184	38,974
Other	118,428	136,816	125,303
Total operating expenses	5,528,184	5,461,417	5,543,210
Operating income	552,073	530,798	618,327
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	11,810	12,763	10,235
Other, net	8,713	6,832	9,466
Other income, net	20,523	19,595	19,701
Earnings before income taxes	572,596	550,393	638,028
Income tax expense	222,585	217,424	251,785
Net earnings	350,011	332,969	386,243
Less net earnings (losses) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1,485	(391)	564
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	$ 348,526	$ 333,360	$ 385,679
Diluted earnings attributable to shareholders per share	$ 1.68	$ 1.57	$ 1.79
Basic earnings attributable to shareholders per share	$ 1.69	$ 1.58	$ 1.82
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	206,895,473	211,935,171	215,033,580
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	205,994,656	210,422,945	212,117,511