SFL (SFL) 20-F 28 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report (foreign) Financial data

DOCUMENT_AND_ENTITY_INFORMATIO

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Ship Finance International LTD	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001289877	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Public Float	'	$876,265,909
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	93,260,000	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'
Document Type	'20-F	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating revenues	'	'	'
Direct financing lease interest income - related parties	$55,385	$59,214	$97,757
Direct financing and sales-type lease interest income - other	4,231	6,501	6,859
Finance lease service revenues - related parties	52,390	64,766	69,992
Finance lease service revenues - other	1,846	0	0
Profit sharing revenues - related parties	770	52,176	482
Time charter revenues - related parties	5,647	0	660
Time charter revenues - other	77,778	60,258	28,789
Bareboat charter revenues - related parties	18,324	20,701	21,276
Bareboat charter revenues - other	42,705	54,212	69,003
Voyage charter revenues - other	9,724	0	0
Other operating income	2,060	1,864	296
Total operating revenues	270,860	319,692	295,114
Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters	18,025	47,386	8,468
Operating expenses	'	'	'
Vessel operating expenses - related parties	54,916	66,455	71,283
Vessel operating expenses - other	50,618	28,459	9,780
Depreciation	58,436	55,602	49,929
Administrative expenses - related parties	439	471	504
Administrative expenses - other	7,110	8,471	9,381
Total operating expenses	171,519	159,458	140,877
Net operating income	117,366	207,620	162,705
Non-operating income / (expense)	'	'	'
Interest income – related parties, associated companies	19,575	19,575	19,575
Interest income – related parties, other	482	0	0
Interest income - other	10,023	7,599	3,826
Interest expense - other	-87,225	-94,851	-103,378
Gain/(loss) on purchase of bonds	-1,218	-122	521
Gain on sale of investment in associated company	0	0	4,064
Long-term investment impairment charge	0	-3,353	0
Other financial items, net	2,003	5,876	-7,040
Net income before equity in earnings of associated companies	61,006	142,344	80,273
Equity in earnings of associated companies	28,200	43,492	50,902
Net income	$89,206	$185,836	$131,175
Per share information:	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$1	$2.31	$1.66
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic	89,508	80,594	79,125
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.99	$2.22	$1.62
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted	95,424	85,868	83,627
Cash dividend per share declared and paid (in dollars per share)	$1.17	$1.86	$1.55

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$89,206	$185,836	$131,175
Fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments	41,827	-18,407	-19,467
Fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments in associated companies	2,897	19,561	20,074
Reclassification into net income of previous fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments	2,102	27	1,756
Fair value adjustments to available for sale securities	699	896	-327
Other items of comprehensive (loss)/income	-58	67	-16
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	47,467	2,144	2,020
Comprehensive income	$136,673	$187,980	$133,195

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$58,641	$60,542
Available for sale securities	76,925	55,661
Trade accounts receivable	8,362	7,997
Due from related parties	13,249	54,203
Other receivables	79,301	3,673
Inventories	6,607	2,951
Prepaid expenses and accrued income	3,971	735
Investment in direct financing and sales-type leases, current portion	45,148	56,870
Total current assets	292,204	242,632
Vessels and equipment, net	1,089,616	1,041,126
Newbuildings	126,008	69,175
Investment in direct financing and sales-type leases, long-term portion	858,260	1,086,989
Investment in associated companies	40,987	232,891
Loans to related parties - associated companies, long-term	530,715	221,884
Loans to related parties - others, long-term	48,847	0
Loans to others, long-term	0	50,000
Other long-term investments	1,235	1,241
Deferred charges	41,478	23,740
Financial instruments (long-term): at fair value	16,633	3,411
Total assets	3,045,983	2,973,089
Current liabilities	'	'
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	389,888	157,689
Trade accounts payable	3,502	1,455
Due to related parties	13,965	9,227
Accrued expenses	13,832	12,576
Financial instruments (short-term): at fair value	5,705	0
Other current liabilities	5,548	16,571
Total current liabilities	432,440	197,518
Long-term liabilities	'	'
Long-term debt	1,346,991	1,673,511
Financial instruments (long-term): at fair value	56,490	85,881
Other long-term liabilities	18,129	21,411
Total liabilities	1,854,050	1,978,321
Commitments and contingent liabilities	'	'
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Share capital ($1 par value; 125,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2012); (93,260,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013; 85,225,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012).	93,260	85,225
Additional paid-in capital	285,632	144,258
Contributed surplus	581,569	561,372
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-34,851	-79,421
Accumulated other comprehensive loss – associated companies	-2,279	-5,176
Retained earnings	268,602	288,510
Total stockholders' equity	1,191,933	994,768
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$3,045,983	$2,973,089

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Share capital, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Share Capital, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Share Capital, shares issued	93,260,000	85,225,000
Share Capital, shares outstanding	93,260,000	85,225,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net income	$89,206	$185,836	$131,175
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation	58,436	55,602	49,929
Long-term investment impairment charge	0	3,353	0
Amortization of deferred charges	11,305	5,866	7,131
Amortization of seller's credit	-1,983	-1,942	-2,047
Equity in earnings of associated companies	-28,200	-43,492	-50,902
Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters	-18,025	-47,386	-8,468
Gain on sale of investment in associated company	0	0	-4,064
Adjustment of derivatives to fair value recognized in net income	-7,950	-7,959	4,476
Loss/(gain) on repurchase of bonds	1,218	122	-521
Interest receivable in form of notes	-2,767	-1,779	0
Other, net	-1,396	-364	-1
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	'	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	-4,313	-7,787	864
Due from related parties	49,189	-51,623	29,113
Other receivables	-740	-1,067	1,921
Inventories	-3,656	-97	-744
Prepaid expenses and accrued income	-3,236	-190	-218
Trade accounts payable	2,047	774	232
Accrued expenses	271	3,206	2,589
Other current liabilities	718	-4,503	3,196
Net cash provided by operating activities	140,124	86,570	163,661
Investing activities	'	'	'
Repayments from investments in direct financing and sales-type leases	51,220	58,571	204,874
Additions to newbuildings	-109,337	-90,612	-156,223
Purchase of vessels	0	-76,936	-151,562
Proceeds from sale of vessels and termination of charters	83,583	100,733	71,461
Proceeds from sale of investment in associated company	0	0	37,048
Net amounts (paid to)/received from associated companies	-81,308	56,443	56,702
Costs of other long-term investments	0	0	-50,000
Purchase of available for sale securities	-18,140	-13,890	-23,763
Redemption of restricted cash	0	0	5,601
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities	-73,982	34,309	-5,862
Financing activities	'	'	'
Shares issued, net of issuance costs	128,880	89,596	0
Payments in lieu of issuing shares for exercised share options	-448	-1,477	0
Repurchase of bonds	-254,132	-28,096	-23,230
Proceeds from issuance of short-term and long-term debt	705,347	259,097	408,592
Repayments of short-term and long-term debt	-530,186	-318,374	-394,747
Debt fees paid	-8,390	-3,989	-17,822
Cash dividends paid	-109,114	-152,009	-122,644
Net cash used in financing activities	-68,043	-155,252	-149,851
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents	-1,901	-34,373	7,948
Cash and cash equivalents at start of the year	60,542	94,915	86,967
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	58,641	60,542	94,915
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$77,630	$86,692	$94,228

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Share capital	Additional paid-in capital	Contributed surplus	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Accumulated other comprehensive loss – associated companies	Retained earnings
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance, at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2010	'	$79,125	$60,261	$532,143	($43,950)	($44,811)	$246,152
Balance, at beginning of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	'	79,125,000	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares issued	'	0	0	'	'	'	'
Shares issued (in shares)	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Payments in lieu of issuing shares	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Amortization of stock based compensation	'	'	1,409	'	'	'	'
Equity component of convertible bond issuance, net	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred equity contributions	'	'	'	16,211	'	'	'
Loss on hedging financial instruments reclassified into earnings	-1,756	'	'	'	1,756	'	'
Fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments	-19,467	'	'	'	-19,467	20,074	'
Fair value adjustments to available for sale securities	-327	'	'	'	-327	'	'
Other items of comprehensive (loss)/income	-16	'	'	'	-16	'	'
Net income	131,175	'	'	'	'	'	131,175
Dividends declared	'	'	'	'	'	'	-122,644
Components of consolidated accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments	-61,659	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value adjustments to available for sale securities	-327	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other items	-18	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total consolidated accumulated other comprehensive loss	-62,004	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, at end of year at Dec. 31, 2011	857,091	79,125	61,670	548,354	-62,004	-24,737	254,683
Balance, at end of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	79,125,000	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares issued	88,900	6,100	83,496	'	'	'	'
Shares issued (in shares)	6,000,000	6,100,000	'	'	'	'	'
Payments in lieu of issuing shares	1,477	'	-1,477	'	'	'	'
Amortization of stock based compensation	'	'	569	'	'	'	'
Equity component of convertible bond issuance, net	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred equity contributions	13,000	'	'	13,018	'	'	'
Loss on hedging financial instruments reclassified into earnings	-27	'	'	'	27	'	'
Fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments	-18,407	'	'	'	-18,407	19,561	'
Fair value adjustments to available for sale securities	896	'	'	'	896	'	'
Other items of comprehensive (loss)/income	67	'	'	'	67	'	'
Net income	185,836	'	'	'	'	'	185,836
Dividends declared	'	'	'	'	'	'	-152,009
Components of consolidated accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments	-80,039	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value adjustments to available for sale securities	569	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other items	49	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total consolidated accumulated other comprehensive loss	-79,421	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, at end of year at Dec. 31, 2012	994,768	85,225	144,258	561,372	-79,421	-5,176	288,510
Balance, at end of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	85,225,000	85,225,000	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares issued	'	8,035	120,880	'	'	'	'
Shares issued (in shares)	'	8,035,000	'	'	'	'	'
Payments in lieu of issuing shares	448	'	-448	'	'	'	'
Amortization of stock based compensation	'	'	220	'	'	'	'
Equity component of convertible bond issuance, net	20,700	'	20,722	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred equity contributions	20,200	'	'	20,197	'	'	'
Loss on hedging financial instruments reclassified into earnings	-2,102	'	'	'	2,102	'	'
Fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments	41,827	'	'	'	41,827	2,897	'
Fair value adjustments to available for sale securities	699	'	'	'	699	'	'
Other items of comprehensive (loss)/income	-58	'	'	'	-58	'	'
Net income	89,206	'	'	'	'	'	89,206
Dividends declared	'	'	'	'	'	'	-109,114
Components of consolidated accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value adjustments to hedging financial instruments	-36,110	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value adjustments to available for sale securities	1,268	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other items	-9	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total consolidated accumulated other comprehensive loss	-34,851	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, at end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,191,933	$93,260	$285,632	$581,569	($34,851)	($2,279)	$268,602
Balance, at end of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	93,260,000	93,260,000	'	'	'	'	'

GENERAL

GENERAL	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
GENERAL	'
	GENERAL
	Ship Finance International Limited ("Ship Finance" or the "Company") is an international ship and offshore asset owning and chartering company, incorporated in October 2003 in Bermuda as a Bermuda exempted company under Bermuda Companies Law of 1981. The Company's ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SFL". The Company is primarily engaged in the ownership, operation and chartering out of vessels and offshore related assets on medium and long-term charters.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company owned 15 very large crude oil carriers ("VLCCs"), seven Suezmax crude oil carriers, five Supramax drybulk carriers, seven Handysize drybulk carriers, nine container vessels, two car carriers, one jack-up drilling rig, three ultra-deepwater drilling units, six offshore supply vessels and two chemical tankers. The three ultra-deepwater drilling units referred to above are owned by three wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company that are accounted for using the equity method (see Note 16). At December 31, 2013, two further wholly-owned subsidiaries accounted for using the equity method have chartered-in two container vessels on a bareboat basis; this arrangement was terminated in the first quarter of 2014 - see Note 27 "Subsequent events". In addition, as at December 31, 2013, the Company had contracted to acquire seven newbuilding container vessels, which were scheduled to be delivered in 2014 and 2015, and one newbuilding harsh environment jack-up drilling rig, which was delivered in February 2014. One of the newbuilding container vessels was cancelled in February 2014 (see Note 27 "Subsequent events"). The newbuilding jack-up drilling rig is owned by a wholly-owned subsidiary, which is accounted for using the equity method on the basis of the charter arrangements currently in place (see Note 16).
	Since its incorporation in 2003 and public listing in 2004, Ship Finance has established itself as a leading international ship and offshore asset owning and chartering company, expanding both its asset and customer base.

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES

ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Accounting
	The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("US GAAP"). The consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Where necessary, comparative figures for previous years have been reclassified to conform to changes in presentation in the current year.
	Consolidation of variable interest entities
	A variable interest entity is defined in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 810 "Consolidation" ("ASC 810") as a legal entity where either (a) the total equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support; (b) equity interest holders as a group lack either i) the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact on its economic success, ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the voting rights of some investors in the entity are not proportional to their economic interests and the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest.
	ASC 810 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary, being the interest holder, if any, which has both (1) the power to direct the activities of the entity which most significantly impact on the entity's economic performance, and (2) the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses from the entity which could potentially be significant to the entity.
	We evaluate our subsidiaries, and any other entities in which we hold a variable interest, in order to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of the entity, and where it is determined that we are the primary beneficiary we fully consolidate the entity.
	Investments in associated companies
	Investments in companies over which the Company exercises significant influence but which it does not consolidate are accounted for using the equity method. The Company records its investments in equity-method investees on the consolidated balance sheets as "Investment in associated companies" and its share of the investees' earnings or losses in the consolidated statements of operations as "Equity in earnings of associated companies". Three ultra-deepwater drilling units are owned by three wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company that are accounted for using the equity method. Two further wholly-owned subsidiaries accounted for using the equity method have chartered in two container vessels on a long-term bareboat basis.
	Use of accounting estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Foreign currencies
	The Company's functional currency is the U.S. dollar as the majority of revenues are received in U.S. dollars and the majority of the Company's expenditures are made in U.S. dollars. The Company's reporting currency is also the U.S. dollar. Most of the Company's subsidiaries report in U.S. dollars. Transactions in foreign currencies during the year are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the date of the transaction. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated using rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Foreign currency non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated using historical rates of exchange. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included under "Other financial items" in the consolidated statements of operations.
	Revenue and expense recognition
	Revenues and expenses are recognized on the accrual basis.
	The Company generates its revenues from the charter hire of its vessels and offshore related assets, and freight billings. Revenues are generated from time charter hire, bareboat charter hire, direct financing lease interest income, sales-type lease interest income, finance lease service revenues, profit sharing arrangements and freight billings, where contracts exist, the charter and voyage rates are predetermined, service is provided and the collection of the revenue is reasonably assured.
	Each charter agreement is evaluated and classified as an operating or a capital lease. Rental receipts from operating leases are recognized in income as it is earned ratably on a straight line basis over the duration of the period of each charter as adjusted for off-hire days.
	Rental payments from capital leases, which are either direct financing leases or sales-type leases, are allocated between lease service revenue, if applicable, lease interest income and repayment of net investment in leases. The amount allocated to lease service revenue is based on the estimated fair value, at the time of entering the lease agreement, of the services provided which consist of ship management and operating services.
	Voyage revenues are recognized ratably over the estimated length of each voyage, and accordingly are allocated between reporting periods based on the relative transit time in each period. Voyage expenses are recognized as incurred. Probable losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses can be estimated.
	Vessel operating expenses are expensed as incurred. Under a time charter, specified voyage costs such as fuel and port charges are paid by the charterer and other non-specified voyage expenses, such as commissions, are paid by the Company. Vessel operating costs include crews, voyage costs not applicable to the charterer, maintenance and insurance and are paid by the Company. Under a bareboat charter, the charterer assumes responsibility for all voyage and vessel operating costs and risks of operation. If payment is received in advance from charterers, it is recorded as deferred charter revenue and recognized as revenue over the period to which it relates.
	Amounts receivable from profit sharing arrangements with Frontline Shipping Limited ("Frontline Shipping") and Frontline Shipping II Limited ("Frontline Shipping II"), which are related parties, are accrued based on amounts earned at the reporting date. Profit share income has two elements:
	- 25% profit sharing: Prior to December 31, 2011, Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II paid the Company profit sharing of 20% of their earnings on a time-charter equivalent basis from their use of the Company's fleet above average threshold charter rates each fiscal year. The amendments to the charter agreements made on December 30, 2011, increased the profit sharing percentage to 25% for future earnings above those threshold levels as from January 1, 2012. In December 2011, the Company received a $106 million compensation payment from Frontline Ltd. ("Frontline"), of which $50 million represents a non-refundable advance relating to the 25% profit sharing agreement.
	- Cash sweep: The amendments to the charter agreements additionally provide that for the four year period commencing January 1, 2012, of the temporary $6,500 per day per vessel reduction in charter rates, Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II will pay the Company 100% of any earnings on a time-charter equivalent basis above the temporarily reduced time charter rates, subject to a maximum of $6,500 per day per vessel.
	All contingent elements of rental income, such as profit share, cash sweep and interest rate adjustments, are recognized when the contingent conditions have materialized.
	Cash and cash equivalents
	For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, all demand and time deposits and highly liquid, low risk investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered equivalent to cash.
	Available for sale securities
	Available for sale securities held by the Company consist of listed and unlisted corporate bonds, which earn interest income. Any premium paid on acquisition is amortized over the life of the bond. Available for sale securities are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income. The fair value of unlisted corporate bonds is determined from an analysis of projected cash flows, based on factors including the terms, provisions and other characteristics of the bonds, credit ratings and default risk of the issuing entity, the fundamental financial and other characteristics of that entity, and the current economic environment and trading activity in the debt market.
	Trade accounts receivable
	The amount shown as trade accounts receivable at each balance sheet date includes receivables due from customers for hire of vessels and offshore related assets, net of allowance for doubtful balances. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectable accounts are assessed individually to determine any allowance for doubtful receivables. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, no provision was made for doubtful receivables.
	Inventories
	Inventories are comprised principally of fuel and lubricating oils and are stated at the lower of cost and market value. Cost is determined on a first-in first-out basis.
	Vessels and equipment (including operating lease assets)
	Vessels and equipment are recorded at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and, if appropriate, impairment charges. The cost of these assets less estimated residual value is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining economic useful life of the asset. The estimated economic useful life of our offshore assets, including drilling rigs and drillships, is 30 years and for all other vessels it is 25 years. These are common life expectancies applied in the shipping and offshore industries.
	Where an asset is subject to an operating lease that includes fixed price purchase options, the projected net book value of the asset is compared to the option price at the various option dates. If any option price is less than the projected net book value at an option date, the initial depreciation schedule is amended so that the carrying value of the asset is written down on a straight line basis to the option price at the option date. If the option is not exercised, this process is repeated so as to amortize the remaining carrying value, on a straight line basis, to the estimated scrap value or the option price at the next option date, as appropriate.
	This accounting policy for fixed assets has the effect that if an option is exercised there will be either a) no gain or loss on the sale of the asset or b) in the event that the option is exercised at a price in excess of the net book value at the option date, a gain will be reported in the statement of operations at the date of delivery to the new owners, under the heading "gain on sale of assets and termination of charters".
	Office equipment is depreciated at 20% per annum on a reducing balance basis.
	Newbuildings
	The carrying value of vessels under construction ("newbuildings") represents the accumulated costs to the balance sheet date which the Company has paid by way of purchase installments and other capital expenditures together with capitalized loan interest and associated finance costs. No charge for depreciation is made until a newbuilding is put into operation.
	Capitalized interest
	Interest expense is capitalized during the period of construction of newbuilding vessels based on accumulated expenditures for the applicable vessel at the Company's capitalization rate of interest. The amount of interest capitalized in an accounting period is determined by applying an interest rate ("the capitalization rate") to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the vessel during the period. The capitalization rate used in an accounting period is based on the average three month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). The Company does not capitalize amounts in excess of actual interest expense incurred in the period.
	Investment in Capital Leases
	Leases (charters) of our vessels where we are the lessor are classified as either capital leases or operating leases, based on an assessment of the terms of the lease. For charters classified as capital leases, the minimum lease payments (reduced in the case of time-chartered vessels by projected vessel operating costs) plus the estimated residual value of the vessel are recorded as the gross investment in the capital lease.
	For capital leases that are direct financing leases, the difference between the gross investment in the lease and the carrying value of the vessel is recorded as unearned lease interest income. The net investment in the lease consists of the gross investment less the unearned income. Over the period of the lease each charter payment received, net of vessel operating costs if applicable, is allocated between "lease interest income" and "repayment of investment in lease" in such a way as to produce a constant percentage rate of return on the balance of the net investment in the direct financing lease. Thus, as the balance of the net investment in each direct financing lease decreases, a lower proportion of each lease payment received is allocated to lease interest income and a greater proportion is allocated to lease repayment. For direct financing leases relating to time chartered vessels, the portion of each time charter payment received that relates to vessel operating costs is classified as "lease service revenue".
	For capital leases that are sales-type leases, the difference between the gross investment in the lease and the present value of its components, i.e. the minimum lease payments and the estimated residual value, is recorded as unearned lease interest income. The discount rate used in determining the present values is the interest rate implicit in the lease. The present value of the minimum lease payments, computed using the interest rate implicit in the lease, is recorded as the sales price, from which the carrying value of the vessel at the commencement of the lease is deducted in order to determine the profit or loss on sale. As is the case for direct financing leases, the unearned lease interest income is amortized to income over the period of the lease so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment in the lease.
	Where a capital lease relates to a charter arrangement containing fixed price purchase options, the projected carrying value of the net investment in the lease is compared to the option price at the various option dates. If any option price is less than the projected net investment in the lease at an option date, the rate of amortization of unearned lease interest income is adjusted to reduce the net investment to the option price at the option date. If the option is not exercised, this process is repeated so as to reduce the net investment in the lease to the un-guaranteed residual value or the option price at the next option date, as appropriate.
	This accounting policy for investments in capital leases has the effect that if an option is exercised there will either be a) no gain or loss on the exercise of the option or b) in the event that an option is exercised at a price in excess of the net investment in the lease at the option date, a gain will be reported in the statement of operations at the date of delivery to the new owners.
	If the terms of an existing lease are agreed to be amended, other than by renewing the lease or extending its term, in a manner that would have resulted in a different classification of the lease had such amended terms been in effect at the lease inception, the amended lease agreement shall be considered to be a new lease agreement over the remainder of its term. If the terms of a capital lease are amended in a way that does not result in it being treated as a new operating lease agreement, the remaining minimum lease payments and, if appropriate, the estimated residual value will be amended to reflect the revised terms, with a corresponding increase or decrease in unearned income.
	Other Long-Term Investments
	Other long-term investments are measured at fair value using the best available value indicators. The Company currently has two long-term investments.
	One long-term investment consists of shares in a container vessel owner/operator which are not publicly traded, and the best estimate available for the valuation of this investment is the cost basis. When using this basis of valuation, the Company carries out regular reviews for possible impairment adjustments. Following such a review, an impairment adjustment was made to the carrying value of this asset in 2012, which is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations under "Long-term investment impairment charge" (see Note 5).
	The other long-term investment consists of warrants to purchase shares in a U.S. company, which were received in 2012, together with other assets, as part of the consideration for the Company agreeing to terminate certain long-term charter agreements (see Note 9). Although shares in the U.S. company are traded on the over-the-counter market, the warrants are not listed. The Company considers that the best method of establishing the fair value of the warrants is to calculate their value in relation to the current market price of the underlying shares, taking into account the terms, restrictions and other features of the warrants, the fundamental financial and other characteristics of the issuing company, trading characteristics of the issuing company's shares, and actual sale transactions of comparable securities completed in secondary markets. The Company carries out regular reviews of the value of this investment, and adjusts the carrying value accordingly. If it is considered that the initial value of the warrants may not be recoverable, the Company records an impairment adjustment in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Other changes in their value, which the Company believes to be temporary, are recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income. In 2012, the Company concluded that the initial value of the warrants may not be recoverable and recorded an impairment charge, which is reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations under "Long-term investment impairment charge" (see Note 5).
	Deemed Equity Contributions
	The Company has accounted for the acquisition of vessels from Frontline at Frontline's historical carrying value. The difference between the historical carrying value and the net investment in the lease has been recorded as a deferred deemed equity contribution. This deferred deemed equity contribution is presented as a reduction in the net investment in direct financing leases in the balance sheet. This results from the related party nature of both the transfer of the vessel and the subsequent direct financing lease. The deferred deemed equity contribution is amortized as a credit to contributed surplus over the life of the new lease arrangement, as lease payments are applied to the principal balance of the lease receivable.
	Impairment of long-lived assets, including other long-term investments
	The carrying value of long-lived assets, including other long-term investments, that are held by the Company are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For vessels, such indicators may include historically low spot charter rates and second hand vessel values. The Company assesses recoverability of the carrying value of the asset by estimating the future net cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition, taking into account the possibility of any existing medium and long-term charter arrangements being terminated early. If the future expected net cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair value. In addition, long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less estimated costs to sell. The Company carried out a review of the carrying value of its vessels, drilling rigs and long-term investments in the second quarter of the year ended December 31, 2009, and concluded that the carrying values of six single-hull vessels, which have since been sold, and its investment in shares in a container vessel owner/operator were impaired. No impairment loss was recorded in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011. In the year ended December 31, 2012, reviews of the carrying value of long-lived assets indicated that the Company's long-term investments in shares in a container vessel owner/operator and warrants to purchase shares in a U.S. company were impaired, and charges were taken against these assets. In the year ended December 31, 2013, reviews of the carrying value of long-lived assets indicated that no further impairment loss was required.
	Deferred charges
	Loan costs, including debt arrangement fees, are capitalized and amortized on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant loan. The straight line basis of amortization approximates the effective interest method in the Company's statement of operations. Amortization of loan costs is included in interest expense. If a loan is repaid early, any unamortized portion of the related deferred charges is charged against income in the period in which the loan is repaid. Similarly, if a portion of a loan is repaid early, the corresponding portion of the unamortized related deferred charges is charged against income in the period in which the early repayment is made.
	Convertible bonds
	As required by ASC 470-20 "Debt with conversion and other options", the Company accounts for debt instruments with convertible features in accordance with the details and substance of the instruments at the time of their issuance. For convertible debt instruments issued at a substantial premium to equivalent instruments without conversion features, or those that may be settled in cash upon conversion, it is presumed that the premium or cash conversion option represents an equity component. Accordingly, the Company determines the carrying amounts of the liability and equity components of such convertible debt instruments by first determining the carrying amount of the liability component by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an equity component. The carrying amount of the equity component representing the embedded conversion option is then determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the total proceeds from the issue. The resulting equity component is recorded, with a corresponding offset to debt discount which is subsequently amortized to interest cost using the effective interest method over the period the debt is expected to be outstanding as an additional non-cash interest expense. Transaction costs associated with the instrument are allocated pro-rata between the debt and equity components.
	For conventional convertible bonds which do not have a cash conversion option or where no substantial premium is received on issuance, it may not be appropriate to split the bond into the liability and equity components.
	Derivatives
	Interest rate and currency swaps
The Company enters into interest rate swap transactions from time to time to hedge a portion of its exposure to floating interest rates. These transactions involve the conversion of floating interest rates into fixed rates over the life of the transactions without an exchange of underlying principal. The Company also enters into currency swap transactions from time to time to hedge against the effects of exchange rate fluctuations on loan liabilities. Currency swap transactions involve the exchange of fixed amounts of other currencies for fixed US dollar amounts over the life of the transactions, including an exchange of underlying principal. The Company may also enter into a combination of interest and currency swaps "cross currency interest rate swaps". The fair values of the interest rate and currency swap contracts, including cross currency interest rate swaps, are recognized as assets or liabilities, and for certain of the Company's swaps the changes in fair values are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. When the interest rate and/or currency swap or combination, qualifies for hedge accounting under ASC Topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), and the Company has formally designated the swap as a hedge to the underlying loan, and when the hedge is effective, the changes in the fair value of the swap are recognized in other comprehensive income. If it becomes probable that the hedged forecasted transaction to which these swaps relate will not occur, the amounts in other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings immediately.
Financial Instruments
In determining the fair value of its financial instruments, the Company uses a variety of methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and risks existing at each balance sheet date. For the majority of financial instruments, including most derivatives and long-term debt, standard market conventions and techniques such as options pricing models are used to determine fair value. All methods of assessing fair value result in a general approximation of value, and such value may never actually be realized.
Drydocking provisions
Normal vessel repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred. The Company recognizes the cost of a drydocking at the time the drydocking takes place, that is, it applies the "expense as incurred" method.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed based on the income available to common stockholders and the weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic EPS. Diluted EPS includes the effect of the assumed conversion of potentially dilutive instruments.
Share-based compensation
The Company accounts for share-based payments in accordance with ASC Topic 718 "Compensation – Stock Compensation" ("ASC 718"), under which the fair value of stock options issued to employees is expensed over the period in which the options vest. The Company uses the simplified method for making estimates of the expected term of stock options.

RECENTLY_ISSUED_ACCOUNTING_STA

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	'
	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-11 "Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities" in order to standardize the disclosure requirements under US GAAP and IFRS relating to both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in financial statements. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01 "Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities", in order to clarify the scope of ASU 2011-11. Both ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 are applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Their adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's disclosures.
	In October 2012, the FASB issued 2012-04 "Technical Corrections and Improvements" in order to clarify and amend various aspects of the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"), particularly to recognize feedback from stakeholders in the ASC where appropriate. The amendments in ASU 2012-04 that are subject to transition guidance are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013. Its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's disclosures or consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" in order to improve the reporting of reclassifications. ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to disclose by detailed component those significant items which are reclassified in their entirety, and to provided cross-referencing to other disclosures for other items. ASU 2013-02 is applicable for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. Its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's disclosures.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04 "Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date". ASU 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of (a) the amount the entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors, and (b) any additional amount the entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. ASU 2013-04 is applicable to fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2013. Its adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's disclosures.
	In April 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-10 "Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes". ASU 2013-10 permits the use of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate as a benchmark for hedge accounting purposes, and is effective for hedging transactions entered into on or after July 17, 2013. The variable interest rates on U.S. dollar loans and any related hedging arrangements entered into by the Company and its subsidiaries have to date all referenced the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). Accordingly, ASU 2013-10 has not had, and is not expected to have, a material impact on the Company's disclosures or consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
	In December 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-12 "Definition of a Public Business Entity" in order to establish a single definition for use throughout the ASC. Entities which are not Public Business Entities may qualify in some instances for alternative financial accounting and reporting guidance under U.S. GAAP. ASU 2013-12 aims to minimize the inconsistency and complexity which can result from having multiple definitions of public and non-public entities, as well as a diversity in practice in interpreting the definitions. The new single definition of Public Business Entity will be used in future ASUs, and will be effective as and when they are implemented. It is not expected that ASU 2013-12 will have a material impact on the Company's disclosures or consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company has only one reportable segment. The Company's assets operate on a world-wide basis and the Company's management does not evaluate performance by geographical region or by asset type, as they believe that any such information would not be meaningful.

LONGTERM_INVESTMENT_IMPAIRMENT

LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IMPAIRMENT CHARGE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IMPAIRMENT CHARGE	'
	LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IMPAIRMENT CHARGE
	The Company monitors events and trends which could indicate that the carrying amount of its long-term investments may not be recoverable. In the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded a long-term investment impairment charge of $3.4 million in respect of two investments. No long-term investment impairment charges were recorded in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2011.
	During the first quarter of 2012, the Company determined that its investment in the shares of a company which is not publicly traded would not generate sufficient future cash flows to ensure that its carrying value would be fully recoverable. An impairment charge of $2.9 million was recorded, equal to the difference between the carrying value of the investment and its estimated fair value of nil. The carrying value of this investment at December 31, 2013, is $nil (2012: $nil).
	During the second quarter of 2012, the Company received warrants to purchase shares in a U.S. company, together with other assets, as part of the consideration for the Company agreeing to terminate certain long-term charter agreements (see Note 9). Although shares in the U.S. company are traded on the over-the-counter market, the warrants are not listed. The Company considers that the best method of establishing the fair value of the warrants is to calculate their value in relation to the current market price of the underlying shares, taking into account the terms, restrictions and other features of the warrants, the fundamental financial and other characteristics of the issuing company, trading characteristics of the issuing company's shares, and actual sale transactions of comparable securities completed in secondary markets. The initial fair value of these warrants was $1.7 million at the time of acquisition. A review of the fair value of this investment at the end of the second quarter of 2012 identified an impairment loss of $0.5 million, and the Company adjusted the carrying value accordingly. Subsequent reviews of the fair value of this investment have not resulted in any further impairment adjustments and the carrying value of this investment at December 31, 2013, was $1.2 million (2012: $1.2 million).

TAXATION

TAXATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
TAXATION	'
	TAXATION
	Bermuda
	Under current Bermudan law, the Company is not required to pay taxes in Bermuda on either income or capital gains. The Company has received written assurance from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda that, in the event of any such taxes being imposed, the Company will be exempted from taxation until the year 2035.
	United States
	The Company does not accrue U.S. income taxes as, in the opinion of U.S. counsel, the Company is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business and is exempted from a gross basis tax under Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
	A reconciliation between the income tax expense resulting from applying statutory income tax rates and the reported income tax expense has not been presented herein, as it would not provide additional useful information to users of the financial statements as the Company's net income is subject to neither Bermuda nor U.S. tax.
	Other Jurisdictions
	Certain of the Company's subsidiaries and branches in Norway and the United Kingdom are subject to income tax in their respective jurisdictions. The tax paid by subsidiaries of the Company that are subject to income tax is not material.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The computation of basic EPS is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year and the consolidated net income of the Company. Diluted EPS includes the effect of the assumed conversion of potentially dilutive instruments.
	The components of the numerator for the calculation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:
		Year ended December 31
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012	2011
	Basic:
	Net income available to stockholders	89,206	185,836	131,175
	Diluted:
	Net income available to stockholders	89,206	185,836	131,175
	Interest paid on 3.75% convertible bonds	5,092	4,688	4,180
		94,298	190,524	135,355
	The components of the denominator for the calculation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:
		Year ended December 31
	(in thousands)	2013	2012	2011
	Basic earnings per share:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	89,508	80,594	79,125
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	89,508	80,594	79,125
	Effect of dilutive share options	163	168	286
	Effect of dilutive convertible debt	5,753	5,106	4,216
		95,424	85,868	83,627
	The 3.25% convertible bonds issued in January 2013 were not dilutive at December 31, 2013. The Company would need to issue a further 17,147,448 common shares in order to satisfy the conversion of the full outstanding $350 million 3.25% convertible bonds at the conversion price of $20.41 per share as at December 31, 2013.

OPERATING_LEASES

OPERATING LEASES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases, Operating [Abstract]	'
OPERATING LEASES	'
	OPERATING LEASES
	Rental income
	The minimum future revenues to be received under the Company's non-cancelable operating leases on its vessels as of December 31, 2013, are as follows:
	(in thousands of $)
	Year ending December 31
	2014	131,175
	2015	113,104
	2016	104,905
	2017	102,227
	2018	61,627
	Thereafter	64,669
	Total minimum lease revenues	577,707
	The cost and accumulated depreciation of vessels leased to third parties on operating leases at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Cost	1,360,605	1,259,588
	Accumulated depreciation	270,989	218,462
	Vessels and equipment, net	1,089,616	1,041,126

GAIN_ON_SALE_OF_ASSETS_AND_TER

GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS AND TERMINATION OF CHARTERS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets [Abstract]	'
GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS	'
	GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS AND TERMINATION OF CHARTERS
	The Company has recorded gains on sale of assets and termination of charters as follows:
		Year ended December 31
	(in thousands)	2013	2012	2011
	Gain on sale of assets	18,025	25,681	8,468
	Gain on termination of charters	—	21,705	—
	Total gain on sale of assets and termination of charters	18,025	47,386	8,468
	The Company distinguishes between gains on termination of charters, where ownership of the underlying vessel is retained, and gains on sale of assets, where the vessel is disposed of and there may be an associated charter termination fee paid or received for early termination of the underlying charter.
	Gain on sale of vessels
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company realized the following gains on sales of vessels:
	(in thousands of $)	Imputed sales price	Book value	Gain/(loss)
	Vessel
	Edinburgh	18,801	14,535	4,266
	Front Pride	12,173	11,652	521
	Front Guider	21,184	7,946	13,238
		52,158	34,133	18,025
	The non-double hull VLCC Edinburgh was accounted for as operating lease asset and was sold to an unrelated party in January 2013. The above sales price is shown net of charter termination payments.
	The Suezmax tanker Front Pride and the OBO Front Guider were accounted for as direct financing lease assets and were sold to unrelated parties in February and March 2013, respectively. The above sales prices each include compensation earned for early termination of the charter.
	In addition to the above, the VLCCs Golden Victory and Front Champion, which were direct financing lease assets, were sold to unrelated parties in November 2013. No gain or loss was recorded on the disposal of these two vessels (see also Note 23 "Related Party Transactions").
	During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company sold four OBOs and two single-hull VLCCs to unrelated parties and realized gains of $25.7 million on their disposal.
	During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company sold three OBOs and two single-hull VLCCs to unrelated parties and realized gains of $8.5 million on their disposal.
	Gain on termination of charters
	In April 2012, the Company agreed to terminate the long-term bareboat charter agreements with Horizon Lines LLC relating to five container vessels. The Company received termination compensation consisting of second lien notes in Horizon Lines LLC with a face value of $40.0 million, warrants exercisable into ten percent of the common stock in the parent company Horizon Lines, Inc., and inventory remaining on board the vessels at the time of their redelivery. The $21.7 million aggregate fair value of these assets was included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in "Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters"
	The second lien loan notes, with an initial face value of $40.0 million, bear interest, which can be paid in cash, in the form of additional notes or a combination of cash and additional notes at the option of Horizon Lines LLC, and mature in full in October 2016, unless previously redeemed. The notes are not listed and their estimated fair value at the time of acquisition was materially less than their face value. The fair value of the notes is determined from an analysis of projected cash flows, based on factors including the terms, provisions and other characteristics of the bonds, credit ratings and default risk of the issuing entity, the fundamental financial and other characteristics of that entity, and the current economic environment and trading activity in the debt market. The notes are being held as available for sale securities at fair value.
	The warrants can be exercised at any time between their issue and the 25th anniversary of the issue date. Although shares in Horizon Lines, Inc. are traded on the over-the-counter market, the warrants are not listed. The warrants are being held as a long-term investment at fair value.

OTHER_FINANCIAL_ITEMS

OTHER FINANCIAL ITEMS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
OTHER FINANCIAL ITEMS	'
	OTHER FINANCIAL ITEMS
	Other financial items comprise the following items:
		Year ended December 31
	(in thousands of $)	2013		2012		2011
	Net increase/(decrease) in fair value of non-designated derivatives	7,726		6,493		(3,696	)
	Net cash payments on non-designated derivatives	(2,653	)	(179	)	68
	Net increase/(decrease) in fair value of designated derivatives (ineffective portion)	224		1,466		(780	)
	Other items	(3,294	)	(1,904	)	(2,632	)
	Total other financial items	2,003		5,876		(7,040	)
	The net movement in mark-to-market valuations of non-designated derivatives and net cash payments thereon relate to non-designated, terminated or de-designated interest rate swaps and cross currency interest rate swaps, and non-designated interest rate swaptions. The net movement in mark-to-market valuations of designated derivatives relates to the ineffective portion of interest rate swaps and cross currency interest rate swaps that have been designated as cash flow hedges. Changes in the valuations of the effective portion of interest rate swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges are reported under "Other comprehensive income". The above net increase/ (decrease) in valuation of non-designated derivatives in the year ended December 31, 2013, includes $2.1 million (2012: $27,000; 2011: $1.8 million) reclassified from "Other comprehensive income", resulting from certain interest rate swaps relating to loan facilities no longer being designated as cash flow hedges.
	Other items include bank charges, fees relating to loan facilities and foreign currency translation adjustments.

AVAILABLE_FOR_SALE_SECURITIES

AVAILABLE FOR SALE SECURITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
AVAILABLE FOR SALE SECURITIES	'
	AVAILABLE FOR SALE SECURITIES
	Marketable securities held by the Company are debt securities considered to be available-for-sale securities.
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Amortized cost	75,657	55,092
	Accumulated net unrealized gain	1,268	569
	Carrying value	76,925	55,661
	The Company's investment in marketable securities consists of investments in secured notes which mature between 2014 and 2016. The net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities included in other comprehensive income as at December 31, 2013, was $1.3 million (2012: $0.6 million).
	The above available for sale securities consist of listed securities with total carrying value of $56.4 million (2012: $37.9 million) and unlisted securities with carrying value $20.5 million (2012: $17.8 million). The unlisted securities consist of second lien interest-bearing loan notes with total face value $51.4 million (2012: $44.4 million) issued by Horizon Lines LLC as part of compensation received on termination of charters, including accumulate interest receivable (see Note 9 "Gain on sale of assets and termination of charters").

TRADE_ACCOUNTS_RECEIVABLE_AND_

TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES	'
	TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
	Trade accounts receivable
	Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowances for doubtful debts. The allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable was $nil at both December 31, 2013 and 2012. Trade accounts receivable at December 31, 2013, represents charter hire outstanding, and includes a balance of $5.0 million due from a charterer which was in dispute, but which has subsequently been received. As at December 31, 2013, the Company has no reason to believe that any amount included in trade accounts receivable will not be recovered through due process or negotiation.
	Other receivables
	Other receivables are presented with no allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. The total balance at December 31, 2013, includes $50.0 million investment loans relating to the financing of the container vessels CMA CGM Magellan and CMA CGM Corte Real, which are chartered-in by wholly-owned subsidiaries accounted for using the equity method (see Note 16: "Investment in Associated Companies"). These loans were classified as "Loans to others, long-term" at December 31, 2012, but are included in "Other receivables" at December 31, 2013, due to CMA CGM S.A. ("CMA CGM")exercising their options to acquire the vessel owning entities, upon which the loans become repayable. These loans were repaid in the first quarter on 2014. In addition, the total balance at December 31, 2013, includes $24.9 million receivable on the cancellation in December 2013 of the newbuilding contract for a container vessel, which was also received in the first quarter of 2014.

VESSELS_AND_EQUIPMENT_NET

VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET	'
	VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Cost	1,360,605	1,259,588
	Accumulated depreciation	270,989	218,462
	Vessels and equipment, net	1,089,616	1,041,126
	During 2013, the Company took delivery of one newbuilding drybulk carriers at an aggregate cost of $27.8 million and transferred two Suezmax tankers with a combined book value of $93.6 million from sales-type lease assets to operating lease assets. During 2012, the Company took delivery of five newbuilding drybulk carriers at an aggregate cost of $145.2 million and two car carriers at an aggregate cost of $76.9 million.
	Depreciation expense was $58.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 (2012: $55.6 million; 2011: $49.9 million).

NEWBUILDINGS

NEWBUILDINGS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
NEWBUILDINGS [Abstract]	'
NEWBUILDINGS	'
	NEWBUILDINGS
	The carrying value of newbuildings represents the accumulated costs which the Company has paid in purchase installments and other capital expenditures, together with capitalized loan interest. Interest capitalized in the cost of newbuildings amounted to $257,000 in 2013 (2012: $332,000; 2011: $438,000).
	At December 31, 2013, there were seven (2012: five) newbuilding contracts with accumulated costs of $126.0 million (2012: $69.2 million). During 2013, one drybulk carrier was delivered, contracts for the acquisition of four newbuilding 8,700 twenty-foot equivalent unit ("TEU") container vessels were agreed, and the contract for the acquisition of one newbuilding 4,800 TEU container vessel was cancelled.

INVESTMENTS_IN_DIRECT_FINANCIN

INVESTMENTS IN DIRECT FINANCING AND SALES-TYPE LEASES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases [Abstract]	'
INVESTMENTS IN DIRECT FINANCING AND SALES-TYPE LEASES	'
	INVESTMENTS IN DIRECT FINANCING AND SALES-TYPE LEASES
	As at December 31, 2013, most (i.e. 20) of the Company's VLCCs and Suezmaxes were chartered to Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II on long-term, fixed rate time charters which extend for various periods depending on the age of the vessels, ranging from approximately four to thirteen years. Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II are subsidiaries of Frontline, a related party, and the terms of the charters do not provide them with an option to terminate the charter before the end of its term.
	Additionally, one of the Company's offshore supply vessels is chartered on a long-term bareboat charter to DESS Cyprus Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deep Sea Supply Plc., a related party. Another of the Company's offshore supply vessels is chartered on a long-term bareboat charter to Deep Sea Supply Shipowning II B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deep Sea Supply BTG B.V., which is a joint venture owned 50% by Deep Sea Supply Plc. and 50% by BTG Pactual Oil & Gas Empreendimentos e Particapacoes S.A. ("BTG Pactual"). We refer to Deep Sea Supply Plc. and Deep Sea Supply BTG B.V. together as Deep Sea. The terms of the charters provide the charterer with various call options to acquire the vessels at certain dates throughout the charters, which expire in 2020.
	The above 22 of the Company's assets were accounted for as direct financing leases at December 31, 2013 (2012: 26), all of which are leased to related parties. In addition, at December 31, 2012 the Company had two Suezmax tankers leased to non-related parties, which were accounted for as sales-type leases. In 2013, these two vessels became operating lease assets when their leases were amended.
	The following lists the components of the investments in direct financing leases as at December 31, 2013, and the investments in direct financing and sales-type leases as at December 31, 2012:
	(in thousands of $)	2013		2012
	Total minimum lease payments to be received	1,490,111		1,955,514
	Less: amounts representing estimated executory costs including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(432,463	)	(538,890	)
	Net minimum lease payments receivable	1,057,648		1,416,624
	Estimated residual values of leased property (un-guaranteed)	278,152		328,865
	Less: unearned income	(318,910	)	(435,047	)
		1,016,890		1,310,442
	Less: deferred deemed equity contribution	(106,377	)	(151,454	)
	Less: unamortized gains	(7,105	)	(15,129	)
	Total investment in direct financing and sales-type  leases	903,408		1,143,859
	Current portion	45,148		56,870
	Long-term portion	858,260		1,086,989
		903,408		1,143,859
	The minimum future gross revenues to be received under the Company's non-cancellable direct financing and sales-type leases as of December 31, 2013, are as follows:
	(in thousands of $)
	Year ending December 31
	2014	139,769
	2015	136,568
	2016	181,743
	2017	180,735
	2018	174,040
	Thereafter	677,256
	Total minimum lease revenues	1,490,111

INVESTMENT_IN_ASSOCIATED_COMPA

INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary, Disclosures [Abstract]	'
INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES	'
	INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES
	The Company has certain wholly-owned subsidiaries which are accounted for using the equity method, as it has been determined under ASC 810 that they are variable interest entities in which Ship Finance is not the primary beneficiary.
	At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 the Company had the following participation in investments that are recorded using the equity method:
		2013		2012		2011
	SFL West Polaris Limited	100	%	100	%	100	%
	SFL Deepwater Ltd	100	%	100	%	100	%
	SFL Hercules Ltd	100	%	100	%	—
	SFL Linus Ltd	100	%	—		—
	Bluelot Shipping Company Limited	100	%	100	%	100
	SFL Corte Real Limited	100	%	100	%	100
	The determination that Ship Finance is not the primary beneficiary of SFL West Polaris Limited ("SFL West Polaris"), SFL Deepwater Ltd. ("SFL Deepwater"), SFL Hercules Ltd. ("SFL Hercules"), and SFL Linus Ltd. ("SFL Linus") is due to these subsidiaries each owning assets on which the underlying leases include both fixed price call options and fixed price put options or purchase obligations. The determination that Ship Finance is not the primary beneficiary of Bluelot Shipping Company Limited ("Bluelot") and SFL Corte Real Limited ("Corte Real") is due to these subsidiaries, which do not own vessels, each having been incorporated specifically to participate in a three-party lease agreement, which can be effectively terminated by one of the other parties – see below.
	SFL West Polaris is a 100% owned subsidiary of Ship Finance, incorporated in 2008 for the purpose of holding an ultra deepwater drillship and leasing that vessel to Seadrill Polaris Ltd. ("Seadrill Polaris"), fully guaranteed by its parent company Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill"), a related party. In December 2012, SFL West Polaris entered into a $420 million five year term loan and revolving credit facility, which was used in January 2013 to refinance the previous $700 million facility established in 2008. At December 31, 2013, the balance outstanding under the facility was $387.0 million (2012: $397.5 million balance under the previous facility). The Company guaranteed $100.0 million of this debt at December 31, 2013. The vessel is chartered on a bareboat basis and the terms of the charter provide the charterer with various call options to acquire the vessel at certain dates throughout the charter. In addition, SFL West Polaris has a put option to sell the vessel to Seadrill Polaris at a fixed price at the end of the charter, which expires in 2023. Because the main asset of SFL West Polaris is the subject of a lease which includes both fixed price call options and a fixed price put option, it has been determined that this subsidiary of Ship Finance is a variable interest entity in which Ship Finance is not the primary beneficiary.
	SFL Deepwater is a 100% owned subsidiary of Ship Finance, incorporated in 2008 for the purpose of holding two ultra deepwater drilling rigs and leasing those rigs to Seadrill Deepwater Charterer Ltd. and Seadrill Offshore AS, fully guaranteed by their parent company Seadrill. In September 2008, SFL Deepwater entered into a $1,400 million five year term loan facility and at December 31, 2012, the balance outstanding under this facility was $821.9 million. In June 2013, SFL Deepwater transferred one of the rigs and the corresponding lease to SFL Hercules, see below, and repaid the part of the loan facility relating to that rig. Accordingly, SFL Deepwater now holds one ultra deepwater drilling rig which is leased to Seadrill Deepwater Charterer Ltd. In October 2013, SFL Deepwater entered into a $390 million five year term loan and revolving credit facility, which was used in November 2013 to refinance the previous $1,400 million loan facility. At December 31, 2013, the balance outstanding under the new facility was $383.3 million (2012: $821.9 million under previous facility). The Company guaranteed $90.0 million of this debt at December 31, 2013. The rig is chartered on a bareboat basis and the terms of the charter provide the charterer with various call options to acquire the rig at certain dates throughout the charter. In addition, there is an obligation for the charterer to purchase the rig at a fixed price at the end of the charter, which expires in 2023. Because the main asset of SFL Deepwater is the subject of a lease which includes both fixed price call options and a fixed price purchase obligation, it has been determined that this subsidiary of Ship Finance is a variable interest entity in which Ship Finance is not the primary beneficiary.
	SFL Hercules is a 100% owned subsidiary of Ship Finance, incorporated in 2012 for the purpose of holding an ultra deepwater drilling rig and leasing that rig to Seadrill Offshore AS, fully guaranteed by its parent company Seadrill. The rig was transferred, along with the corresponding lease, to SFL Hercules from SFL Deepwater in June 2013. In May 2013, SFL Hercules entered into a $375 million six year term loan and revolving credit facility to partly finance its acquisition of the rig from SFL Deepwater. The facility was drawn in June 2013, and at December 31, 2013, the balance outstanding under this facility was $361.2 million. The Company guaranteed $90.0 million of this debt at December 31, 2013. Because the main asset of SFL Hercules is the subject of a lease which includes both fixed price call options and a fixed price purchase obligation at the end of the charter, it has been determined that this subsidiary of Ship Finance is a variable interest entity in which Ship Finance is not the primary beneficiary.
	SFL Linus is a 100% owned subsidiary of Ship Finance, acquired from North Atlantic Drilling Ltd ("NADL"), a related party, in 2013. SFL Linus holds a newbuilding harsh environment jack-up drilling rig which upon delivery in February 2014 was leased to North Atlantic Linus Charterer Ltd., fully guaranteed by its parent company NADL. In October 2013, SFL Linus entered into a $475 million five year term loan and revolving credit facility to partly finance the acquisition of the rig. The facility was not utilized at December 31, 2013, but was drawn when the rig was delivered to SFL Linus and the charter commenced in February 2014. The facility is fully guaranteed by Ship Finance until the rig commences a sub-charter, which is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2014. Thereafter, Ship Finance will guarantee $90.0 million of the debt. Because the main asset of SFL Linus is the subject of a lease which includes both fixed price call options and a fixed price put option, it has been determined that this subsidiary of Ship Finance is a variable interest entity in which Ship Finance is not the primary beneficiary.
	Bluelot and Corte Real are 100% owned subsidiaries of Ship Finance, each incorporated in 2010 for the purpose of leasing in a 13,800 twenty-foot equivalent units ("TEU") container vessel on a bareboat charter basis, respectively the CMA CGM Magellan and the CMA CGM Corte Real, and leasing the vessel out on a time-charter basis to CMA CGM. In November and December 2013, CMA CGM exercised its options to acquire the two vessel-owning entities, and the charter agreements were terminated in January and March 2014, respectively. Accordingly, the two $25 million investment loans, which were classified as "Loans to others, long-term" at December 31, 2012, have been included in "Other receivables" at December 31, 2013.
	In addition to the above wholly-owned subsidiaries, between December 2010 and June 2011, the 100% owned subsidiary Rig Finance II Limited ("Rig Finance II") was also accounted for using the equity method. In May 2011, the charterer advised the Company of its intention to exercise its option to acquire the rig at the option price of $133.1 million, and the transaction was effected in June 2011 as a sale of Rig Finance II. The Company recorded a gain of $4.1 million on the sale, which was recorded as "Gain on sale of investment in associated company".
	Summarized balance sheet information of the Company's equity method investees is as follows:
		As of December 31, 2013
	(in thousands of $)	TOTAL		SFL Deepwater		SFL West Polaris		SFL Hercules	SFL Linus		Bluelot	Corte Real
	Current assets (1)	205,916		94,981		34,412		56,886	—		9,780	9,857
	Non-current assets	1,516,033		432,755		458,558		429,720	195,000		—	—
	Total assets	1,721,949		527,736		492,970		486,606	195,000		9,780	9,857
	Current liabilities	159,847		85,240		38,337		29,101	—		3,523	3,646
	Non-current liabilities (2)	1,521,115		418,554		451,384		453,860	197,317		—	—
	Total liabilities	1,680,962		503,794		489,721		482,961	197,317		3,523	3,646
	Total shareholders' equity	40,987		23,942		3,249		3,645	(2,317	)	6,257	6,211
		As of December 31, 2012
	(in thousands of $)	TOTAL		SFL Deepwater		SFL West Polaris		SFL Hercules	SFL Linus		Bluelot	Corte Real
	Current assets (1)	206,114		145,390		52,776		—	—		3,998	3,950
	Non-current assets	1,482,687		994,390		488,297		—	—		—	—
	Total assets	1,688,801		1,139,780		541,073		—	—		3,998	3,950
	Current liabilities	868,850		828,712		40,138		—	—		—	—
	Non-current liabilities (2)	587,060		160,050		427,010		—	—		—	—
	Total liabilities	1,455,910		988,762		467,148		—	—		—	—
	Total shareholders' equity	232,891		151,018		73,925		—	—		3,998	3,950
	-1	Bluelot and Corte Real current assets at December 31, 2013, include $6.1 million (2012: $3.8 million) and $6.0 million (2012: $3.8 million) due from Ship Finance, respectively – see Note 23 "Related party transactions".
	-2	SFL Deepwater, SFL West Polaris, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus non-current liabilities at December 31, 2013, include $115.2 million (2012: $154.9 million), $100.4 million (2012: $67.0 million), $120.1 million ( 2012: $nil) and $195.0 million (2012: $nil)) due to Ship Finance – see Note 23 "Related party transactions". In the year ended December 31, 2013, SFL Deepwater and SFL West Polaris paid dividends of $150.0 million (2012: $nil; 2011: $nil) and $73.0 million (2012: $nil; 2011: $nil), respectively.
	Summarized statement of operations information of the Company's equity method investees is shown below.
		Year ended December 31, 2013
	(in thousands of $)	TOTAL		SFL Deepwater		SFL West Polaris		SFL Hercules	SFL Linus		Bluelot	Corte Real
	Operating revenues	122,792		46,145		23,701		13,832	—		19,490	19,624
	Net operating revenues	88,121		46,109		23,681		13,808	—		2,261	2,262
	Net income (3)	28,200		17,747		2,324		3,645	(38	)	2,261	2,261
		Year ended December 31, 2012
	(in thousands of $)	TOTAL		SFL Deepwater		SFL West Polaris		Bluelot	Corte Real
	Operating revenues	146,263		69,508		37,421		19,612	19,722
	Net operating revenues	111,434		69,485		37,418		2,266	2,265
	Net income (3)	43,492		28,243		10,719		2,266	2,264
		Year ended December 31, 2011
	(in thousands of $)	TOTAL		SFL Deepwater		SFL West Polaris		Bluelot	Corte Real		Rig Finance II
	Operating revenues	155,514		76,586		46,771		14,499	14,108		3,550
	Net operating revenues	130,311		76,583		46,767		1,731	1,686		3,544
	Net income (3)	50,902		31,861		12,806		1,731	1,686		2,818
	-3	The net income of SFL Deepwater, SFL West Polaris and SFL Hercules in the year ended December 31, 2013, includes interest payable to Ship Finance amounting to $9.6 million (2012: $13.1 million; 2011: $13.1 million), $6.5 million (2012: $6.5 million; 2011: $6.5 million) and $3.5 million (2012: $nil; 2011: $nil), respectively - see Note 23 "Related party transactions".
	SFL West Polaris, SFL Deepwater, and SFL Hercules have loan facilities for which Ship Finance provides limited guarantees, as indicated above. These loan facilities contain financial covenants, with which both Ship Finance and Seadrill must comply. As at December 31, 2013, Ship Finance and Seadrill were in compliance with all of the covenants under these long-term debt facilities. The SFL Linus loan facility contains financial covenants, with which both Ship Finance and NADL must comply. As at December 31, 2013, Ship Finance and NADL were in compliance with all of the covenants under this long-term debt facility, which had not been drawn against as at December 31, 2013.

ACCRUED_EXPENSES

ACCRUED EXPENSES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
ACCRUED EXPENSES	'
	ACCRUED EXPENSES
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Vessel operating expenses	1,959	1,478
	Administrative expenses	799	966
	Interest expense	11,074	10,132
		13,832	12,576

OTHER_CURRENT_LIABILITIES_OTHE

OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES	'
	OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Deferred charter revenue	3,744	1,311
	Prepaid charter income	822	2,544
	Employee taxes	773	823
	Other	209	11,893
		5,548	16,571
	Other current liabilities at December 31, 2012, included $11.7 million compensation received from Frontline for the early termination of the charter and the estimated loss of future cash sweep income of the OBO Front Guider, which was received in advance of its disposal in March 2013.

SHORTTERM_AND_LONGTERM_DEBT

SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]	'
SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT	'
	SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT
	(in thousands of $)	2013		2012
	Short-term and long-term debt:
	8.5% Senior Notes due 2013	—		247,766
	Norwegian kroner 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014	71,854		78,505
	3.75% senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2016	125,000		125,000
	Norwegian kroner 600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2017	92,843		107,910
	3.25% senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2018	350,000		—
	U.S. dollar denominated floating rate debt (LIBOR plus margin) due through 2021	1,097,182		1,272,019
		1,736,879		1,831,200
	Less: short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	(389,888	)	(157,689	)
		1,346,991		1,673,511
	The outstanding debt as of December 31, 2013, is repayable as follows:
	(in thousands of $)
	Year ending December 31
	2014	389,888
	2015	223,850
	2016	184,505
	2017	173,717
	2018	474,680
	Thereafter	290,239
	Total debt	1,736,879
	The weighted average interest rate for floating rate debt denominated in U.S. dollars and Norwegian kroner ("NOK") as at December 31, 2013, was 4.86% per annum (2012: 4.17%). These rates take into consideration the effect of related interest rate swaps. At December 31, 2013, the three month dollar LIBOR was 0.246% (2012: 0.306%) and the three month Norwegian Interbank Offered Rate ("NIBOR") was 1.69% (2012: 1.83%).
	8.5% Senior Notes due 2013
	On December 15, 2003, the Company issued $580 million of 8.5% Senior Notes. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Company bought back and canceled notes with an aggregate principal amount of $130.9 million. No notes were bought in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 the Company purchased notes with principal amounts totaling 201.3 million, which at December 31, 2012, were being held as treasury notes. Thus, the net amount outstanding at December 31, 2012, was $247.8 million. All outstanding notes were redeemed in full on March 1, 2013. Losses of $1.1 million and $122,000 were recorded on the purchases in 2013 and 2012, respectively, and a gain of $0.5 million was recorded on the purchases in 2011.The redemption of the outstanding notes in 2013 was partly funded by the issue in January 2013 of $350 million 3.25% senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2018 (see below).
	NOK500 million senior unsecured bonds due 2014
	On October 7, 2010, the Company issued a senior unsecured bond loan totaling NOK500.0 million in the Norwegian credit markets. The bonds bear quarterly interest at NIBOR plus a margin and are redeemable in full on April 7, 2014. The bonds may, in their entirety, be redeemed at the Company's option from October 7, 2013, until April 6, 2014, upon giving bondholders at least 30 business days notice and paying 100.50% of par value plus accrued interest. Subsequent to their issue, the Company purchased bonds with principal amounts totaling NOK10.0 million in 2012, NOK13.0 million in 2011 and NOK40.5 million in 2010, which are being held as treasury bonds. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was NOK436.5 million, equivalent to $71.9 million (2012: NOK436.5 million, equivalent to $78.5 million).
	3.75% senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2016
	On February 10, 2011, the Company issued a senior unsecured convertible bond loan totaling $125 million. Interest on the bonds is fixed at 3.75% per annum and is payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on February 10 and August 10. The bonds are convertible into Ship Finance International Limited common shares at any time up to 10 banking days prior to February 10, 2016. The conversion price at the time of issue was $27.05 per share, representing a 35% premium to the share price at the time. Since then, dividend distributions have reduced the conversion price to $19.78. The Company has the right to call the bonds after March 3, 2014, if the value of the shares underlying each bond exceeds, for a specified period of time, 130% of the principal amount of the bond.
	NOK600 million senior unsecured bonds due 2017
	On October 19, 2012, the Company issued a senior unsecured bond loan totaling NOK600 million in the Norwegian credit market. The bonds bear quarterly interest at NIBOR plus a margin and are redeemable in full on October 19, 2017. The bonds may, in their entirety, be redeemed at the Company's option from April 19, 2017, upon giving bondholders at least 30 business days notice and paying 100.50% of par value plus accrued interest. Subsequent to their issue, the Company purchased bonds with principal amounts totaling NOK36.0 million in 2013, which are being held as treasury bonds. A loss of $108,000 was recorded on the purchase. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was NOK564 million, equivalent to $92.8 million (2012: NOK600 million, equivalent to $107.9 million).
	3.25% senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2018
	On January 30, 2013, the Company issued a senior unsecured convertible bond loan totaling $350 million. Interest on the bonds is fixed at 3.25% per annum and is payable in cash quarterly in arrears on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. The bonds are convertible into Ship Finance International Limited common shares at any time up to ten banking days prior to February 1, 2018. The conversion price at the time of issue was $21.945 per share, representing a 33% premium to the share price at the time. Since then, dividend distributions have reduced the conversion price to $19.9814 per share. In conjunction with the bond issue, the Company loaned up to 6,060,606 of its common shares to an affiliate of one of the underwriters of the issue, in order to assist investors in the bonds to hedge their position. The shares that were lent by the Company were borrowed from Hemen Holding Ltd., the largest shareholder of the Company, for a one-time loan fee of $1.0 million.
	As required by ASC 470-20 "Debt with conversion and other options", the Company calculated the equity component of the convertible bond, taking into account both the fair value of the conversion option and the fair value of the share lending arrangement. The equity component was valued at $20.7 million and this amount was recorded as "Additional paid-in capital", with a corresponding adjustment to "Deferred charges" which are amortized to "Interest expense" over the appropriate period. The amortization of this item amounted to $3.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2013.
	$210 million secured term loan facility
	In April 2006, five wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $210 million secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks to partly fund the acquisition of five new container vessels. The terms of the loan were initially linked to long-term charters of the vessels, and the Company did not provide a corporate guarantee for the facility. In April 2012, those long-term charters were terminated and the terms of the loan agreement were amended. Although the facility continues without recourse to the Company, as part of the amended agreement the Company now guarantees that revenues received by the vessel-owning subsidiaries will achieve certain minimum levels for each vessel. This performance guarantee has been reduced to a maximum of $18.2 million in aggregate as of December 31, 2013. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of twelve years from the date of drawdown for each vessel. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $174.8 million (2012: $174.8 million).
	$149 million secured term loan facility
	In August 2007, five wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $149 million secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks. The proceeds of the facility were used to partly fund the acquisition of five new offshore supply vessels. One of the vessels was sold in January 2008 and the loan facility now relates to the remaining four vessels. The Company has provided a limited corporate guarantee for this facility. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of seven years. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $73.9 million (2012: $82.4 million).
	$77 million secured term loan facility
	In January 2008, two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $77 million secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks. The proceeds of the facility were used to partly fund the acquisition of two offshore supply vessels. The Company has provided a limited corporate guarantee for this facility. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of seven years. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $39.1 million (2012: $45.5 million).
	$30 million secured revolving credit facility
	In February 2008, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a $30 million secured revolving credit facility with a bank. The proceeds of the facility were used to partly fund the acquisition of a 1,700 TEU container vessel. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of seven years. At December 31, 2013, the available amount under the facility was fully drawn. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $5.0 million (2012: $7.0 million).
	$49 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility
	In March 2008, two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $49 million secured term loan facility with a bank. The proceeds of the facility were used to partly fund the acquisition of two newbuilding chemical tankers. The Company has provided a limited corporate guarantee for this facility. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of ten years. In June 2011, the terms of the facility were amended such that part of the loan was transformed into a revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2013, the amount available under the revolving part of the facility was $1.9 million (2012: $nil). The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $25.6 million (2012: $29.3 million).
	$58 million secured revolving credit facility
	In September 2008, two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $58 million secured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks. The proceeds of the facility were secured against two 1,700 TEU container vessels. The facility, which bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and had a term of five years, was fully repaid in the year ended December 31, 2013. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2012 was $23.0 million.
	$43 million secured term loan facility
	In February 2010, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a $42.6 million secured term loan facility with a bank, secured against a Suezmax tanker. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of approximately five years. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $32.0 million (2012: $34.8 million).
	$725 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility
	In March 2010, the Company entered into a $725 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks, secured against 26 vessels chartered to Frontline. Nine of the vessels were sold during 2011, 2012 and 2013, and the facility is secured against the remaining 17 vessels at December 31, 2013. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable over a term of five years. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $158.8 million (2012: $313.0 million). The available amount under the revolving part of the facility at December 31, 2013 was $119.7 million (2012: $36.3 million).
	$43 million secured term loan facility
	In March 2010, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a $42.6 million secured term loan facility with a bank, secured against a Suezmax tanker. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of five years. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $32.0 million (2012: $34.8 million).
	$54 million secured term loan facility
	In November 2010, two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $53.7 million secured term loan facility with a bank, secured against two Supramax drybulk carriers. The Company has provided a limited corporate guarantee for this facility. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of eight years. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $42.0 million (2012: $45.9 million).
	$95 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility
	In February 2011, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a $95 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility with a bank, secured against a jack-up drilling rig. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of seven years. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $47.5 million (2012: $52.5 million). The available amount under the revolving part of the facility at December 31, 2013 was $20.0 million (2012: $25.0 million).
	$75 million secured term loan facility
	In March 2011, three wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $75.4 million secured term loan facility with a bank, secured against three newbuilding Supramax drybulk carriers. Two of the vessels were delivered in 2011 and the third in 2012. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of approximately eight years. The Company has provided a limited corporate guarantee for this facility. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $62.5 million (2012: $68.4 million).
	$171 million secured term loan facility
	In May 2011, eight wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $171.0 million secured loan facility with a syndicate of banks. The facility is supported by China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation, or SINOSURE, which provides an insurance policy in favor of the banks for part of the outstanding loan. The facility is secured against the newbuilding container vessel SFL Avon, delivered in 2010, and seven newbuilding Handysize drybulk carriers, of which two were delivered in 2011, four were delivered in 2012, and the final one was delivered in 2013. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of approximately ten years from delivery of each vessel. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $146.3 million (2012: $140.3 million).
	$55 million secured securities financing agreement
	In June 2011, the Company entered into a $55 million securities financing agreement with a bank. The facility may be used to fund up to 50% of the acquisition cost of securities we may acquire from time to time. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and will be secured against the relevant securities. The facility had not been utilized as at December 31, 2013. The available amount under this facility at December 31, 2013, was $28.2 million (2012: $18.9 million).
	$167 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility
In July 2011,five wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $166.8 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility agreement with a syndicate of banks, to refinance a facility which matured in 2012. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin, has a term of six years from drawdown, and was secured against five VLCCs. Two of the VLCCs were sold in 2013 and the facility now relates to the three remaining VLCCs. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013 was $74.5 million (2012: 130.3 million). The available amount under the revolving part of the facility at December 31, 2013 was $8.0 million (2012: $1.7 million).
$184 million secured term loan facility
In March 2012, four wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $184.0 million secured loan facility with a bank, secured against four newbuilding container vessels. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of approximately 12 years from delivery of each vessel. The facility is for both pre- and post-delivery financing. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013, was $64.4 million (2012: $36.8 million), relating to pre-delivery financing of installments paid to the yard. In December 2013, the contract for one of the newbuilding container vessels was cancelled and the outstanding loan of $18.4 million relating to this vessel was prepaid in January 2014. The undrawn commitment at December 31, 2013, relating to future yard installments on the three remaining newbuilding vessels was $92.0 million (2012: $147.2 million, relating to four newbuilding vessels) - see also Note 27 "Subsequent events".
$53 million secured term loan facility
In November 2012, two wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company entered into a $53.2 million secured term loan facility with a bank, secured against two car carriers. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of approximately five years. The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013 was $48.8 million (2012: $53.2 million).
$70 million secured term loan facility
In June 2013, the Company entered into a $70.0 million secured term loan facility with a syndicate of banks in order to partly finance the pre-delivery costs of the harsh-environment jack-up drilling rig West Linus, secured against the newbuilding contract for the rig. The rig was delivered in February 2014 to SFL Linus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company accounted for using the equity method. Upon delivery, this loan was repaid in full and SFL Linus drew down against a $475 million secured term loan facility established to partly finance its acquisition of the rig - see Note 16 "Investment in Associated Companies". This $70.0 million facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and has a term of approximately nine months.
The net amount outstanding at December 31, 2013 was $70.0 million (2012: $nil).
The aggregate book value of assets pledged as security against borrowings at December 31, 2013, was $1,994 million (2012: $2,240 million).
Agreements related to long-term debt provide limitations on the amount of total borrowings and secured debt, and acceleration of payment under certain circumstances, including failure to satisfy certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2013, the Company is in compliance with all of the covenants under its long-term debt facilities. The $149 million secured term loan facility entered into in August 2007 contains certain financial covenants on Deep Sea Supply BTG B.V. and the $77 million secured term loan facility entered into in January 2008 contains certain financial covenants on Deep Sea Supply Plc. and Deep Sea Supply BTG B.V. As at December 31, 2013, Deep Sea Supply Plc. and Deep Sea Supply BTG B.V. were in compliance with all covenants under the respective loan agreements.

OTHER_LONG_TERM_LIABILITIES

OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES	'
	OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Unamortized sellers' credit	18,125	21,207
	Other items	4	204
		18,129	21,411
	The Company's six offshore supply vessels were acquired from Deep Sea and were chartered back to Deep Sea under bareboat charter agreements. As part of the purchase consideration, the Company received seller's credits totaling $37.0 million which are being recognized as additional bareboat revenues over the period of the charters.

SHARE_CAPITAL_ADDITIONAL_PAIDI

SHARE CAPITAL, ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
SHARE CAPITAL, ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS	'
	SHARE CAPITAL, ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS
	Authorized share capital is as follows:
	(in thousands of $, except share data)	2013	2012
	125,000,000 common shares of $1.00 par value each	125,000	125,000
	Issued and fully paid share capital is as follows:
	(in thousands of $, except share data)	2013	2012
	93,260,000 common shares of $1.00 par value each (2012: 85,225,000 shares)	93,260	85,225
	The Company's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
	In January 2013 and May 2013, the Company issued a total of 35,000 new shares in order to satisfy options exercised by two employees (2012: 100,000 new shares issued to satisfy options exercised by one employee) . The exercise price of the options was $5.29 per share (2012: $6.85 per share), resulting in a premium on issue of $0.2 million (2012: $0.6 million). In June 2013, the Company issued and sold 8,000,000 shares pursuant to a prospectus filed in November 2010 (2012: 6,000,000 shares issued and sold). Total proceeds of $128.7 million net of costs were received (2012: $88.9 million), resulting in a premium on issue of $120.7 million (2012: $82.9 million).
	In November 2006, the Board of Directors approved the Ship Finance International Limited Share Option Scheme (the "Option Scheme"). The Option Scheme permits the Board of Directors, at its discretion, to grant options to employees and directors of the Company or its subsidiaries. The fair value cost of options granted is recognized in the statement of operations, and the corresponding amount is credited to additional paid in capital (see also Note 22). During 2013, an employee exercised options and in lieu of issuing new shares the Company made a payment totaling $0.4 million, equal to the intrinsic value of the options on the date of exercise (2012: two employees exercised options and received payments totaling $1.5 million in lieu of shares). This amount is accounted for as a repurchase of the Company's shares and the payment is recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.
	In January 2013, the Company issued a senior unsecured convertible bond loan totaling $350 million. The bonds are convertible into common shares at any time up to ten banking days prior to February 1, 2018. The conversion price at the time of issue was $21.945 per share, representing a 33% premium to the share price at the time. Since then, dividend distributions have reduced the conversion price to $19.98 per share. As required by ASC 470-20 "Debt with conversion and other options", the Company calculated the equity component of the convertible bond, which was valued at $20.7 million and recorded as "Additional paid-in capital" - see Note 19 "Long-term debt".
	The Company has accounted for the acquisition of vessels from Frontline at Frontline's historical carrying value. The difference between the historical carrying values and the net investment in the leases has been recorded as a deferred deemed equity contribution, which is presented as a reduction in net investment in direct financing leases in the balance sheet. This accounting treatment arises from the related party nature of both the initial transfer of the vessels and the subsequent leases.  The deferred deemed equity contribution is amortized to contributed surplus over the life of the lease arrangements, as lease payments are applied to the principal balance of the lease receivable. In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company has credited contributed surplus with $20.2 million of such deemed equity contributions (2012: $13.0 million).

SHARE_OPTION_PLAN

SHARE OPTION PLAN	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
SHARE OPTION PLAN	'
	SHARE OPTION PLAN
	The Option Scheme adopted in November 2006 will expire in November 2016. The subscription price for all options granted under the scheme will be reduced by the amount of all dividends declared by the Company per share in the period from the date of grant until the date the option is exercised, provided the subscription price shall never be reduced below the par value of the share. Options granted under the scheme will vest at a date determined by the board at the date of the grant. The options granted under the plan to date vest over a period of one to three years and have a five year term. There is no maximum number of shares authorized for awards of equity share options, and either authorized unissued shares of Ship Finance or treasury shares held by the Company may be used to satisfy exercised options.
	The following summarizes share option transactions related to the Option Scheme in 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		2013						2012			2011
		Options			Weighted average exercise price $			Options		Weighted average exercise price $	Options	Weighted average exercise price $
	Options outstanding at beginning of year	498,000			10.27			830,500		11.25	617,000	10.14
	Granted	—			—			—		—	213,500	20.13
	Exercised	(75,000	)		5.29			(260,000	)	7.17	—	—
	Forfeited	—			—			(72,500	)	18.05	—	—
	Options outstanding at end of year	423,000			9.99			498,000		10.27	830,500	11.25
	Exercisable at end of year	374,333			9.22			376,668		8.29	434,006	7.94
	The exercise price of each option is progressively reduced by the amount of any dividends declared. The above figures show the average of the reduced exercise prices at the beginning and end of the year for options then outstanding. For options granted, exercised or forfeited during the year, the above figures show the average of the exercise prices at the time the options were granted, exercised or forfeited, as appropriate.
	The fair values of options granted are estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model. The weighted average assumptions used to calculate the fair values of new options granted in 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
		Options granted in year ended December 31
		2013		2012		2011
	Risk free interest rate	—		—		1.13	%
	Expected volatility	—		—		65.6	%
	Expected dividend yield	—		—		0	%
	Expected life of options	—		—		3.5 years
	The risk-free interest rates were estimated using the interest rate on three year U.S. treasury zero coupon issues. The volatility was estimated using historical share price data. The dividend yield has been estimated at 0% as the exercise price is reduced by all dividends declared by the Company from the date of grant to the exercise date. It is assumed that all options granted under the plan will vest.
	The weighted average grant-date fair values of new options granted during 2011 was $9.50 per share.
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2013 was $0.9 million on the day of exercise (2012: $2.3 million; 2011: $0.0 million). The intrinsic value of options fully vested but not exercised at December 31, 2013, is $2.7 million and their average remaining term is 1.16 years.
	As of December 31, 2013, there was $29,100 in unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested options granted under the Option Scheme (2012: $251,500). This cost will be recognized over the remaining vesting periods, which average 0.2 years.

RELATED_PARTY_TRANSACTIONS

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	'
	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	The Company, which was formed in 2003 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Frontline, was partially spun-off in 2004 and its shares commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange in June 2004. A significant proportion of the Company's business continues to be transacted with related parties.
	The Company has had transactions with the following related parties, being companies in which our principal shareholders Hemen Holding Ltd. and Farahead Investment Inc. (hereafter jointly referred to as "Hemen") and companies associated with Hemen have a significant direct or indirect interest:
	–    Frontline
	–    Frontline Shipping, Frontline Shipping II, Frontline Shipping III (collectively Frontline Charterers)
	–	Seadrill
	–	NADL
	–	Golden Ocean Group Limited ("Golden Ocean")
	–	United Freight Carriers ("UFC" - which is a joint venture approximately 50% owned by Golden Ocean)
	–	Deep Sea
	–	Golar LNG Limited ("Golar")
	The Consolidated Balance Sheets include the following amounts due from and to related parties, excluding direct financing lease balances (see Note 15):
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Amounts due from:
	Frontline Charterers	—	51,788
	Frontline Ltd	10,016	810
	UFC	770	—
	Deep Sea	—	1,305
	NADL	2,163	—
	Seadrill	300	300
	Total amount due from related parties	13,249	54,203
	Loans to related parties - associated companies, long-term
	SFL West Polaris	100,383	67,010
	SFL Deepwater	115,222	154,874
	SFL Hercules	120,110	—
	SFL Linus	195,000	—
	Total loans to related parties - associated companies, long-term	530,715	221,884
	Loans to related parties - others, long-term
	Frontline Ltd	48,847	—
	Total loans to related parties - others, long-term	48,847	—
	Amounts due to:
	Frontline Charterers	815	804
	Frontline Management	1,011	815
	Bluelot	6,064	3,802
	Corte Real	6,018	3,756
	Other related parties	57	50
	Total amount due to related parties	13,965	9,227
	SFL West Polaris, SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules, SFL Linus, Bluelot and Corte Real are wholly-owned subsidiaries which are not fully consolidated but are accounted for under the equity method as at December 31, 2013 -see Note 16 "Investment in Associated Companies". The amounts due to Bluelot and Corte Real are the balances on the current accounts between those companies and Ship Finance. As described below in "Related party loans", at December 31, 2013 and 2012, the long-term loans from Ship Finance to SFL West Polaris, SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus are presented net of their respective current accounts.
	Related party leasing and service contracts
	As at December 31, 2013, 20 of the Company's vessels leased to the Frontline Charterers and two of its offshore supply vessels leased to subsidiaries of Deep Sea are recorded as direct financing leases. Prior to December 31, 2010, the Company also fully consolidated Rig Finance II (see Note 16), which leased a jack-up drilling rig to a subsidiary of Seadrill under a direct financing lease. In addition, at December 31, 2013, four offshore supply vessels were leased to subsidiaries of Deep Sea and four drybulk carriers were leased to UFC under operating leases.
	At December 31, 2013, the combined balance of net investments in direct financing leases with the Frontline Charterers and Deep Sea was $1,016.9 million (2012: $1,217.0 million) of which $45.1 million (2012: $50.8 million) represents short-term maturities.
	At December 31, 2013, the net book value of assets leased under operating leases to Deep Sea and UFC was $212.9 million (2012: Deep Sea and the Frontline Charterers $131.5 million).
	A summary of leasing revenues earned from the Frontline Charterers, Seadrill, Deep Sea and UFC is as follows:
	(in millions of $)	2013	2012	2011
	Operating lease income	24	20.7	21.9
	Direct financing lease interest income	55.4	59.2	97.8
	Finance lease service revenue	52.4	64.8	70
	Direct financing lease repayments	47.4	52.8	199.5
	Profit sharing revenues	0.8	52.2	0.5
	In May 2013, the Company agreed to change the legal entity under the charters for five of the six vessels on charter to subsidiaries of Deep Sea Supply Plc. The new charterer is Deep Sea Supply Shipowning II B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deep Sea Supply BTG B.V., which is a joint venture owned 50% by Deep Sea Supply Plc. and 50% by BTG Pactual. The new charters became effective on May 31, 2013, and the main terms of the charters remain unchanged.
	On December 30, 2011, amendments were made to the charter agreements with Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II, which related to 28 vessels accounted for as direct financing leases. Four of those vessels were sold in 2012 and a further four were sold in 2013. In terms of the amending agreements, the Company received a compensation payment of $106 million and agreed to a $6,500 per day reduction in the time charter rate of each vessel for the period January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2015. Thereafter, the charter rates revert to the previously agreed daily amounts. The leases were amended to reflect the compensation payment received and the reduction in future minimum lease payments to be received.
	Prior to December 31, 2011, Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II paid the Company profit sharing of 20% of their earnings on a time-charter equivalent basis from their use of the Company's fleet above average threshold charter rates each fiscal year. The amendments to the charter agreements made on December 30, 2011, increased the profit sharing percentage to 25% for future earnings above those threshold levels. Of the $106 million compensation payment received, $50 million represents a non-refundable advance relating to the 25% profit sharing agreement. The Company earned and recognized profit sharing revenue under these arrangements in the year ended December 31, 2013, of $nil (2012: $nil; 2011: $0.5 million). As at December 31, 2013, there was $nil profit share accrued towards the reduction in the $50 million profit sharing advance, which must be reduced to nil before the Company can recognize future income under the 25% profit sharing agreement.
	The amendments to the charter agreements additionally provide that for the four year period of the temporary reduction in charter rates, Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II will pay the Company 100% of any earnings on a time-charter equivalent basis above the temporarily reduced time charter rates, subject to a maximum of $6,500 per day per vessel. In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company earned and recognized no revenue under this arrangement (2012: $52.2 million; 2011: $nil), which is also reported under "Profit sharing revenues".
	In the event that vessels on charter to the Frontline Charterers are agreed to be sold, the Company may either pay or receive compensation for the termination of the lease. In January 2013 the non-double VLCC Edinburgh was sold and its lease cancelled, with an agreed termination fee payable of $7.8 million. In February 2013, March 2013, November 2013 and November 2013, the Suezmax tanker Front Pride, the OBO Front Guider, the VLCC Golden Victory and the VLCC Front Champion were sold and their leases cancelled, with agreed termination fees receivable of $2.1 million, $11.7 million, $37.3 million and $30.4 million, respectively. Of the $67.7 million combined fees receivable for the two VLCCs sold in November 2013, $10.9 million was received in cash and $56.8 million was received in the form of loan notes receivable over the approximately eight remaining years of the cancelled leases. The initial face value of the notes received, on which interest at 7.25% is receivable, was $79.0 million and their initial fair value of $56.8 million was determined from analysis of projected cash flows, based on factors including the terms, provisions and other characteristics of the notes, default risk of the issuing entity, the fundamental financial and other characteristics of that entity, and the current economic environment and trading activity in the debt market. Subsequently, the notes are recorded at amortized cost (based on the fair value of the notes on the date of receipt) less adjustments for valuation losses. Any increase in estimated cash flows will be recorded as adjustments to the accredited yield. At December 31, 2013, no adjustments were made.
	The charter agreements for the four drybulk carriers leased to UFC include profit sharing arrangements, whereby the Company earns a 50% share of profits earned by the vessels above threshold levels. In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company earned and recognized $0.8 million under this arrangement (2012: $nil; 2011: $nil).
	As at December 31, 2013, the Company was owed a total of $nil (2012: $51.8 million) by the Frontline Charterers in respect of leasing contracts and profit share.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company was owed $10.0 million (2012: $0.8 million) by Frontline in respect of various short-term items, including the $7.6 million (2012: $nil) carrying value of the short-term portion of loan notes receivable and $0.5 million (2012: $nil) accrued interest on the loan notes. The Company also had a long-term loan of $48.8 million due from Frontline at December 31, 2013 (2012: $nil), being the carrying value of the long-term portion of loan notes receivable.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company was owed $0.8 million (2012: $nil) by UFC in respect of profit share.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company was owed $nil (2012: $1.3 million) by Deep Sea in respect of leasing contracts.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company was owed $2.2 million by NADL in respect of pre-delivery loan charges relating to the harsh environment jack-up drilling rig delivered in February 2014 to the wholly-owned subsidiary SFL Linus, which is accounted for using the equity method (see Note 16). These charges are recoverable from NADL under the terms of the agreement to acquire the rig and lease it to them.
	The vessels leased to the Frontline Charterers are on time charter terms and for each such vessel the Company pays a management fee of $6,500 per day to Frontline Management (Bermuda) Ltd. ("Frontline Management"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontline. An exception to this arrangement is for any vessel leased to the Frontline Charterers which is sub-chartered on a bareboat basis, for which there is no management fee payable for the duration of the bareboat sub-charter. In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company also had seven container vessels, twelve drybulk carriers, two Suezmax tankers and two car carriers operating on time charter or in the spot market, for which the supervision of the technical management was sub-contracted to Frontline Management. In the year ended December 31, 2013, management fees payable to Frontline Management amounted to $54.2 million (2012: $65.9 million; 2011: $71.1 million).
	In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company had seven container vessels and twelve drybulk carriers operating on time charter, for which part of the operating management was sub-contracted to Golden Ocean. In the year ended December 31, 2013, management fees payable to Golden Ocean amounted to approximately $710,000 (2012: $534,000; 2011: $207,000). Management fees are classified as vessel operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
	The Company paid a commission of 1% to Frontline Management in respect of all payments received in respect of the five-year sales-type leases on the Suezmax tankers Glorycrown and Everbright. In 2013 was paid $0.1 million to Frontline Management pursuant to this arrangement (2012: $0.1 million; 2011: $0.1 million). This arrangement ended in September 2013, when the leases were terminated. Following these terminations, we have agreed to pay Frontline a management fee of 1.25% of chartering revenues plus $150 per day per vessel.
The Company also paid $0.4 million in 2013 (2012: $0.5 million, 2011: $0.5 million) to Frontline Management for the provision of management and administrative services.
The Company pays fees to Frontline Management for the management supervision of some of its newbuildings, which in 2013 amounted to $2.4 million (2012: $2.1 million, 2011: $3.1 million).
The Company paid $311,000 in 2013 (2012: $409,000; 2011: $503,000) to Frontline Management AS for the provision of office facilities in Oslo.
As at December 31, 2013, the Company owes Frontline Management and Frontline Management AS a combined total of $1.0 million (2012: $0.8 million) for various items, including newbuilding supervision fees, technical supervision fees and office costs.
The Company paid $160,000 in 2013 (2012: $195,000; 2011: $115,000) to Golar Management UK Limited, a subsidiary of Golar, for the provision of office facilities in London. At December 31, 2013, the Company owed Golar Management UK Limited $57,000 (2012: $50,000), which is included in amounts due to other related parties.
The Company paid $nil in 2013 (2012: $15,000; 2011: $40,000) to Seadrill Management (S) Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Seadrill, for the provision of office facilities in Singapore.
In June 2011, the Company sold its wholly-owned subsidiary Rig Finance II to a subsidiary of Seadrill. The Company continued to provide a limited guarantee on the entity's loan facility until July 2013, and received guarantee commission from Seadrill. As at December 31, 2013, the Company was owed $0.3 million (2012: $0.3 million) by Seadrill in respect of guarantee commission.
Related party loans – associated companies
Ship Finance has entered into agreements with SFL West Polaris, SFL Deepwater, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus granting them loans of $145.0 million, $145.0 million (previously $290.0 million), $145.0 million and $195.0 million, respectively. The loans to SFL West Polaris, SFL Deepwater and SFL Hercules are fixed interest rate loans, and the loan to SFL Linus is interest free until the newbuilding jack-up drilling rig is delivered to that company, whereupon Ship Finance has the right to charge interest. These loans are repayable in full on July 11, 2023, October 1, 2023, October 1, 2023 and June 30, 2029, respectively, or earlier if the companies sell their drilling units. Ship Finance is entitled to take excess cash from these companies, and such amounts are recorded within their current accounts with Ship Finance. The loan agreements specify that the balance on the current accounts will have no interest applied and will be settled by offset against the eventual repayments of the fixed interest loans. In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company received interest income on these loans of $6.5 million from SFL West Polaris (2012: $6.5 million; 2011: $6.5 million), $9.6 million from SFL Deepwater (2012: $13.1 million; 2011: $13.1 million) and $3.5 million from SFL Hercules (2012: $nil; 2011 $nil) totaling $19.6 million.
Related party purchases and sales of vessels – 2013
In July 2013, the Company announced the acquisition of the newbuilding harsh-environment jack-up drilling rig West Linus from a subsidiary of NADL, for a total acquisition cost of $600 million. The rig, which was delivered in February 2014, is to be leased back to NADL for a period in excess of 15 years, and NADL has been granted four purchase options at dates during and at the end of the charter period. Additionally, Ship Finance has an option to sell the rig back to NADL at the end of the charter period. The rig is owned by SFL Linus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ship Finance accounted for using the equity method - see Note 16 "Investment in Associated Companies".
Related party purchases and sales of vessels – 2011
In June 2011, a subsidiary of Seadrill, to which the jack-up drilling rig West Prospero was chartered, exercised its option to purchase the rig at the fixed option price of $133.1 million. The rig was owned by Rig Finance II, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company accounted for using the equity method. The transaction was effected as a sale of Rig Finance II and a gain of $4.1 million was recorded on the sale (see Note 16).

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	In certain situations, the Company may enter into financial instruments to reduce the risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates. The Company has a portfolio of swaps which swap floating rate interest to fixed rate, and which also fix the Norwegian kroner to US dollar exchange rate applicable to the interest payable and principal repayment on the NOK bonds due 2014 and 2017. From a financial perspective these swaps hedge interest rate and exchange rate exposure. The counterparties to such contracts are Nordea Bank Finland Plc, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., BNP Paribas, NIBC Bank N.V., Scotiabank Europe Plc, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), ING Bank N.V., Lloyds Banking Group Plc, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Danske Bank A/S and Swedbank AB (publ). Credit risk exists to the extent that the counterparties are unable to perform under the contracts, but this risk is considered remote as the counterparties are all banks which have provided the Company with loans.
	The following tables present the fair values of the Company's derivative instruments that were designated as cash flow hedges and qualified as part of a hedging relationship, and those that were not designated:
	(in thousands of $)	2013			2012
	Designated derivative instruments -short-term liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	2,279			—
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	3,358			—
	Non-designated derivative instruments -short-term liabilities:
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	68			—
	Total derivative instruments - short-term liabilities	5,705			—
	Designated derivative instruments -long-term liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	44,006			84,044
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	8,915			411
	Non-designated derivative instruments -long-term liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	3,183			1,426
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	386			—
	Total derivative instruments - long-term liabilities	56,490			85,881
	(in thousands of $)	2013			2012
	Designated derivative instruments -long-term assets:
	Interest rate swaps	6,565			4
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	—			3,275
	Non-designated derivative instruments -long-term assets:
	Interest rate swaps	10,068			—
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	—			132
	Total derivative instruments - long-term assets	16,633			3,411
	Interest rate risk management
	The Company manages its debt portfolio with interest rate swap agreements denominated in U.S. dollars and Norwegian kroner to achieve an overall desired position of fixed and floating interest rates. At December 31, 2013, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries had entered into interest rate swap transactions, involving the payment of fixed rates in exchange for LIBOR or NIBOR, as summarized below. The summary includes all swap transactions, most of which are hedges against specific loans.
	Notional Principal (in thousands of $)	Inception date	Maturity date	Fixed interest rate
	$213,158 (reducing to $122,632)	Mar-10	Mar-15	1.96% - 2.22%
	$36,972 (reducing to $24,794)	Mar-08	Aug-18	4.05% - 4.15%
	$41,956 (reducing to $23,394)	Apr-11	Dec-18	2.13% - 2.80%
	$62,535 (reducing to $34,044)	May-11	Jan-19	0.80% - 2.58%
	$100,000 (remaining at $100,000)	Aug-11	Aug-21	2.50% - 2.93%
	$76,136 (equivalent to NOK450 million)	Oct-10	Apr-14	5.32	%	*
	$174,789 (reducing to $153,804)	Apr-06	May-19	6	%
	$154,100(terminating at $79,733)	May-12	Aug-22	1.76% - 1.85%
	$73,938 (reducing to $69,713)	Sep-12	Sep-14	4.85	%
	$105,436 (equivalent to NOK600 million)	Oct-12	Oct-17	5.92% - 6.23%		*
	$48,767 (reducing to $32,142)	Feb-13	Dec-17	0.81% - 0.82%
	$100,000 (remaining at $100,000)	Mar-13	Apr-23	1.85% - 1.97%
	*	These swaps relate to the NOK500 million and NOK600 million unsecured bonds, and the fixed interest rates paid are exchanged for NIBOR plus the margin on the bonds. For the remaining swaps the fixed interest rate paid is exchanged for LIBOR, excluding margin on the underlying loans.
	As at December 31, 2013, the total notional principal amount subject to such swap agreements was $1,188.0 million (2012: $1,033.0 million).
	Foreign currency risk management
	The Company has entered into currency swap transactions, involving the payment of U.S. dollars in exchange for Norwegian kroner, which are designated as hedges against the NOK500 million senior unsecured bonds due 2014 and the NOK600 million senior unsecured bonds due 2017.
	Principal Receivable	Principal Payable	Inception date	Maturity date
	NOK450 million	US$76.1 million	Oct-10	Apr-14
	NOK600 million	US$105.4 million	Oct-12	Oct-17
	Apart from the NOK500 million and NOK600 million senior unsecured bonds due 2014 and 2017, respectively, the majority of the Company's transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. dollars, the functional currency of the Company. Other than the corresponding currency swap transactions summarized above, the Company has not entered into forward contracts for either transaction or translation risk. Accordingly, there is a risk that currency fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the Company's cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
	Fair Values
	The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's financial assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013, and 2012, are as follows:
			2013			2013		2012		2012
	(in thousands of $)		Carrying value			Fair value		Carrying value		Fair  value
	Non-derivatives:
	Available for sale securities		76,925			76,925		55,661		55,661
	Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014		71,854			72,032		78,505		78,891
	Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017		92,483			93,752		107,910		106,902
	8.5% Senior Notes due 2013		—			—		247,766		248,542
	3.75% unsecured convertible bonds due 2016		125,000			130,589		125,000		118,513
	3.25% unsecured convertible bonds due 2018		350,000			359,307		—		—
	Derivatives:
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term receivables		16,633			16,633		3,411		3,411
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – short-term payables		5,705			5,705		—		—
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables		56,490			56,490		85,881		85,881
The above short-term payables relating to interest rate/ currency swap contracts at December 31, 2013, include $0.1 million which relates to non-designated swap contracts (2012: $nil), with the balance relating to designated hedges. The above long-term payables relating to interest rate/ currency swap contracts at December 31, 2013, include $3.6 million which relates to non-designated swap contracts (2012: $1.4 million), with the balance relating to designated hedges. The above long-term receivables relating to interest rate/ currency swap contracts at December 31, 2013, include $10.1 million which relates to non-designated swap contracts (2012: $0.1 million), with the balance relating to designated hedges.
In accordance with the accounting policy relating to interest rate and currency swaps (see Note 2 "Accounting Policies: Derivatives – Interest rate and currency swaps"), where the Company has designated the swap as a hedge, and to the extent that the hedge is effective, changes in the fair values of interest rate swaps are recognized in other comprehensive income. Changes in the fair value of other swaps and the ineffective portion of swaps designated as hedges are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.
The above fair values of financial assets and liabilities as at December 31, 2013, are measured as follows:
				Fair value measurements using
	Total fair value as at December 31, 2013			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
(in thousands of $)				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
Available for sale securities	76,925			56,379				20,546
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts - long-term receivables	16,633					16,633
Total assets	93,558			56,379		16,633		20,546
Liabilities:
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014	72,032			72,032
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017	93,752			93,752
3.75% unsecured convertible bonds due 2016	130,589			130,589
3.25% unsecured convertible bonds due 2018	359,307			359,307
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – short-term payables	5,705					5,705
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables	56,490					56,490
Total liabilities	717,875			655,680		62,195		—
The above fair values of financial assets and liabilities as at December 31, 2012, were measured as follows:
				Fair value measurements using
	Total fair value as at December 31, 2012			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
(in thousands of $)				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
Available for sale securities	55,661			37,882				17,779
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term receivables	3,411					3,411
Total assets	59,072			37,882		3,411		17,779
Liabilities:
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014	78,891			78,891
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017	106,902			106,902
8.5% Senior Notes due 2013	248,542			248,542
3.75% unsecured convertible bonds due 2016	118,513			118,513
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables	85,881					85,881
Total liabilities	638,729			552,848		85,881		—
ASC Topic 820 "Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures" ("ASC 820") emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within levels one and two of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within level three of the hierarchy).
Level 1 inputs utilize unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in level one that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, other than quoted prices, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities, which typically are based on an entity's own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
Listed available for sale securities are recorded at fair value, being their market value as at the balance sheet date. The fair value of unlisted available for sale securities, which at December 31, 2013, comprise unlisted second lien loan notes, is a Level 3 input and is determined from analysis of projected cash flows, based on factors including the terms, provisions and other characteristics of the notes, credit ratings and default risk of the issuing entity, the fundamental financial and other characteristics of that entity, and the current economic environment and trading activity in the debt market. The following table shows the changes in the fair values of the asset with Level 3 valuation during the year ended December 31, 2013:
(in thousands of $)		Unlisted Available for Sale Securities
Fair values - Level 3 inputs:
Balance as at December 31, 2012		17,779
Interest income, receivable in form of unlisted second lien loan notes - see (a) below		2,767
Balance as at December 31, 2013		20,546
(a) The interest income of $2.8 million is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations under "Interest income - other".
There were no changes to any of the above valuations during the year ended December 31, 2013, no related realized or unrealized gains or losses recognized in "Other Comprehensive Income" and no transfers of items between Level 3 and other valuation levels.
The estimated fair values for the 8.5% fixed rate Senior Notes, the floating rate NOK bonds due 2014 and 2017, and the 3.75% and 3.25% unsecured convertible bonds are based on the quoted market prices as at the balance sheet date.
The fair value of interest rate and currency swap contracts is calculated using a well-established independent valuation technique applied to contracted cash flows and LIBOR/NIBOR interest rates as at the balance sheet date.
Concentrations of risk
There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents to the extent that most of the amounts are carried with Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, ABN AMRO, Danske Bank, Nordea, DNB and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank. However, the Company believes this risk is remote.
Since the Company was spun-off from Frontline in 2004, Frontline has accounted for a significant proportion of our operating revenues. In the year ended December 31, 2013, Frontline accounted for 38% of our operating revenues (2012: 54%, 2011: 56%). There is thus a concentration of revenue risk with Frontline.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENT_LIA

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
	Assets Pledged
		2013
	Book value of assets pledged under ship mortgages (see Note 19)	$1,994 million
	Other Contractual Commitments
	The Company has arranged insurance for the legal liability risks for its shipping activities with Assuranceforeningen SKULD, Assuranceforeningen Gard Gjensidig and Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Limited, all mutual protection and indemnity associations. On certain of the vessels insured, the Company is subject to calls payable to the associations based on the Company's claims record in addition to the claims records of all other members of the associations. A contingent liability exists to the extent that the claims records of the members of the associations in the aggregate show significant deterioration, which may result in additional calls on the members.
	SFL Deepwater, SFL West Polaris, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, which are accounted for using the equity method. Accordingly, their assets and liabilities are not consolidated in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, but are presented on a net basis under "Investment in associated companies" - see Note 16. As at December 31, 2013, their combined borrowings amounted to $1,131.6 million and the Company guaranteed $280.0 million of this debt. Although it had no borrowings as at December 31, 2013, in February 2014 SFL Linus took delivery of its newbuilding drilling rig and made drawings against its $475 million loan facility, which is fully guaranteed by the Company until the rig commences a sub-charter, which is scheduled to commence during the second quarter of 2014. Thereafter, the Company will guarantee $90.0 million of the debt.
	The Company provided a guarantee for the senior secured loan financing relating to the container vessel chartered-in by Corte Real, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary accounted for using the equity method (see Note 16). At December 31, 2013, the outstanding balance on the loan, which is secured by a first priority mortgage on the vessel, was $48.1 million. This guarantee was cancelled in March 2014, when the charter relating to the vessel was terminated.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had contractual commitments under newbuilding contracts totaling $794.8 million (2012: $189.6 million). This includes $405.0 million in respect of the harsh environment jack-up drilling rig, which will be owned by a wholly-owned subsidiary accounted for using the equity method. There are no other contractual commitments at December 31, 2013.
	The Company is routinely party both as plaintiff and defendant to laws suits in various jurisdictions under charter hire obligations arising from the operation of its vessels in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes that the resolution of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial position. The Company has not recognized any contingent gains or losses arising from the pending results of any such law suits.

CONSOLIDATED_VARIABLE_INTEREST

CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES [Abstract]	'
CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	'
	CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
	The Company's consolidated financial statements include nine variable interest entities, all of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries. These subsidiaries own vessels with existing charters during which related and third parties have fixed price options to purchase the respective vessels, at dates varying from September 2014 to January 2020. It has been determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of these entities, as none of the purchase options are deemed to be at bargain prices and none of the charters include sales options.
	At December 31, 2013, the vessels of two of these entities are accounted for as direct financing leases with a combined carrying value of $74.0 million, unearned lease income of $21.0 million and estimated residual values of $21.7 million. The outstanding loan balances in these two entities total $39.1 million, of which the short-term portion is $6.4 million.
	The other seven fully consolidated variable interest entities each own vessels which are accounted for as operating lease assets, with a total net book value at December 31, 2013, of $273.5 million. The outstanding loan balances in these entities total $147.1 million, of which the short-term portion is $86.5 million.

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	In January 2014, the arrangements whereby the equity accounted subsidiary Bluelot chartered-in a 13,800 TEU container vessel and chartered it out to CMA CGM were terminated when CMA CGM exercised its option to purchase the vessel-owning entity.
	In February 2014, the newbuilding contract for a 4,800 TEU container vessel was cancelled due to excessive delays in delivery. The corresponding loan was repaid in full. The installments already paid to the shipyard have been fully reimbursed, and interest thereon will also be received.
	In February 2014, the harsh environment jack-up drilling rig West Linus was delivered from the shipyard to the equity accounted subsidiary SFL Linus, whereupon it commenced its bareboat charter in excess of 15 years to North Atlantic Linus Charterer Ltd., fully guaranteed by NADL. Ship Finance has repaid in full the $70 million pre-delivery loan facility and SFL Linus has drawn down against its $475 million loan facility.
	On February 27, 2014, the Board of Ship Finance declared a dividend of $0.40 per share to be paid in cash on or about March 28, 2014.
	In March 2014, the Company announced the settlement of a claim relating to four Handysize drybulk carriers, which were re-delivered in 2012 before the final maturity of their charters. A significant portion of the settlement amount has already been received in cash, with the remaining amount to be paid in installments over the last three quarters of 2014. The Company expects to record a gain of approximately $25 million relating to the settlement.
	In March 2014, the arrangements whereby the equity accounted subsidiary Corte Real chartered-in a 13,800 TEU container vessel and chartered it out to CMA CGM were terminated when CMA CGM exercised its option to purchase the vessel-owning entity.
	In March 2014, charters were agreed for two 8,700 TEU newbuilding container vessels with scheduled delivery in 2014 for a period of seven years from delivery to a major container line. Subject to certain conditions, the other two newbuilding 8,700 TEU container vessels may be chartered out on similar terms.
	In March 2014, the Company announced the acquisition of seven 4,100 TEU container vessels in combination with long-term charters. One of the vessels was delivered to us in March 2014, and the remaining six vessels are scheduled for delivery before the end of June 2014.
	In March 2014, the Company announced the acquisition of two 5,800 TEU container vessels in combination with long-term charters. The vessels were delivered to us in March 2014.
	In March 2014, the Company issued NOK900 million five-year senior unsecured bonds, equivalent to approximately $150 million. The bonds bear interest at NIBOR plus a margin, and the Company has swapped all payments of interest and principal to U.S. dollars at a fixed interest and exchange rate. The proceeds of the bond issue will be used to refinance existing debt and for general corporate purposes.

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES_Policies

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Accounting	'
	Basis of Accounting
	The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("US GAAP"). The consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Where necessary, comparative figures for previous years have been reclassified to conform to changes in presentation in the current year.
Consolidation of variable interest entities	'
	Consolidation of variable interest entities
	A variable interest entity is defined in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 810 "Consolidation" ("ASC 810") as a legal entity where either (a) the total equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support; (b) equity interest holders as a group lack either i) the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact on its economic success, ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) the voting rights of some investors in the entity are not proportional to their economic interests and the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest.
	ASC 810 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary, being the interest holder, if any, which has both (1) the power to direct the activities of the entity which most significantly impact on the entity's economic performance, and (2) the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses from the entity which could potentially be significant to the entity.
	We evaluate our subsidiaries, and any other entities in which we hold a variable interest, in order to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of the entity, and where it is determined that we are the primary beneficiary we fully consolidate the entity.
Investments in associated companies	'
	Investments in associated companies
	Investments in companies over which the Company exercises significant influence but which it does not consolidate are accounted for using the equity method. The Company records its investments in equity-method investees on the consolidated balance sheets as "Investment in associated companies" and its share of the investees' earnings or losses in the consolidated statements of operations as "Equity in earnings of associated companies". Three ultra-deepwater drilling units are owned by three wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company that are accounted for using the equity method. Two further wholly-owned subsidiaries accounted for using the equity method have chartered in two container vessels on a long-term bareboat basis.
Use of accounting estimates	'
	Use of accounting estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign currencies	'
	Foreign currencies
	The Company's functional currency is the U.S. dollar as the majority of revenues are received in U.S. dollars and the majority of the Company's expenditures are made in U.S. dollars. The Company's reporting currency is also the U.S. dollar. Most of the Company's subsidiaries report in U.S. dollars. Transactions in foreign currencies during the year are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the date of the transaction. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated using rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Foreign currency non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated using historical rates of exchange. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included under "Other financial items" in the consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue and expense recognition	'
	Revenue and expense recognition
	Revenues and expenses are recognized on the accrual basis.
	The Company generates its revenues from the charter hire of its vessels and offshore related assets, and freight billings. Revenues are generated from time charter hire, bareboat charter hire, direct financing lease interest income, sales-type lease interest income, finance lease service revenues, profit sharing arrangements and freight billings, where contracts exist, the charter and voyage rates are predetermined, service is provided and the collection of the revenue is reasonably assured.
	Each charter agreement is evaluated and classified as an operating or a capital lease. Rental receipts from operating leases are recognized in income as it is earned ratably on a straight line basis over the duration of the period of each charter as adjusted for off-hire days.
	Rental payments from capital leases, which are either direct financing leases or sales-type leases, are allocated between lease service revenue, if applicable, lease interest income and repayment of net investment in leases. The amount allocated to lease service revenue is based on the estimated fair value, at the time of entering the lease agreement, of the services provided which consist of ship management and operating services.
	Voyage revenues are recognized ratably over the estimated length of each voyage, and accordingly are allocated between reporting periods based on the relative transit time in each period. Voyage expenses are recognized as incurred. Probable losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses can be estimated.
	Vessel operating expenses are expensed as incurred. Under a time charter, specified voyage costs such as fuel and port charges are paid by the charterer and other non-specified voyage expenses, such as commissions, are paid by the Company. Vessel operating costs include crews, voyage costs not applicable to the charterer, maintenance and insurance and are paid by the Company. Under a bareboat charter, the charterer assumes responsibility for all voyage and vessel operating costs and risks of operation. If payment is received in advance from charterers, it is recorded as deferred charter revenue and recognized as revenue over the period to which it relates.
	Amounts receivable from profit sharing arrangements with Frontline Shipping Limited ("Frontline Shipping") and Frontline Shipping II Limited ("Frontline Shipping II"), which are related parties, are accrued based on amounts earned at the reporting date. Profit share income has two elements:
	- 25% profit sharing: Prior to December 31, 2011, Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II paid the Company profit sharing of 20% of their earnings on a time-charter equivalent basis from their use of the Company's fleet above average threshold charter rates each fiscal year. The amendments to the charter agreements made on December 30, 2011, increased the profit sharing percentage to 25% for future earnings above those threshold levels as from January 1, 2012. In December 2011, the Company received a $106 million compensation payment from Frontline Ltd. ("Frontline"), of which $50 million represents a non-refundable advance relating to the 25% profit sharing agreement.
	- Cash sweep: The amendments to the charter agreements additionally provide that for the four year period commencing January 1, 2012, of the temporary $6,500 per day per vessel reduction in charter rates, Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II will pay the Company 100% of any earnings on a time-charter equivalent basis above the temporarily reduced time charter rates, subject to a maximum of $6,500 per day per vessel.
	All contingent elements of rental income, such as profit share, cash sweep and interest rate adjustments, are recognized when the contingent conditions have materialized.
Cash and cash equivalents	'
	Cash and cash equivalents
	For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, all demand and time deposits and highly liquid, low risk investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered equivalent to cash.
Available for sale securities	'
	Available for sale securities
	Available for sale securities held by the Company consist of listed and unlisted corporate bonds, which earn interest income. Any premium paid on acquisition is amortized over the life of the bond. Available for sale securities are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income. The fair value of unlisted corporate bonds is determined from an analysis of projected cash flows, based on factors including the terms, provisions and other characteristics of the bonds, credit ratings and default risk of the issuing entity, the fundamental financial and other characteristics of that entity, and the current economic environment and trading activity in the debt market.
Trade accounts receivable	'
	Trade accounts receivable
	The amount shown as trade accounts receivable at each balance sheet date includes receivables due from customers for hire of vessels and offshore related assets, net of allowance for doubtful balances. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectable accounts are assessed individually to determine any allowance for doubtful receivables. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, no provision was made for doubtful receivables.
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories are comprised principally of fuel and lubricating oils and are stated at the lower of cost and market value. Cost is determined on a first-in first-out basis.
Vessels and equipment (including operating lease assets)	'Vessels and equipment (including operating lease assets) Vessels and equipment are recorded at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and, if appropriate, impairment charges. The cost of these assets less estimated residual value is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining economic useful life of the asset. The estimated economic useful life of our offshore assets, including drilling rigs and drillships, is 30 years and for all other vessels it is 25 years. These are common life expectancies applied in the shipping and offshore industries. Where an asset is subject to an operating lease that includes fixed price purchase options, the projected net book value of the asset is compared to the option price at the various option dates. If any option price is less than the projected net book value at an option date, the initial depreciation schedule is amended so that the carrying value of the asset is written down on a straight line basis to the option price at the option date. If the option is not exercised, this process is repeated so as to amortize the remaining carrying value, on a straight line basis, to the estimated scrap value or the option price at the next option date, as appropriate. This accounting policy for fixed assets has the effect that if an option is exercised there will be either a) no gain or loss on the sale of the asset or b) in the event that the option is exercised at a price in excess of the net book value at the option date, a gain will be reported in the statement of operations at the date of delivery to the new owners, under the heading "gain on sale of assets and termination of charters".Office equipment is depreciated at 20% per annum on a reducing balance basis.
Capitalized interest	'
	Capitalized interest
	Interest expense is capitalized during the period of construction of newbuilding vessels based on accumulated expenditures for the applicable vessel at the Company's capitalization rate of interest. The amount of interest capitalized in an accounting period is determined by applying an interest rate ("the capitalization rate") to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the vessel during the period. The capitalization rate used in an accounting period is based on the average three month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). The Company does not capitalize amounts in excess of actual interest expense incurred in the period.
Newbuildings	'
	Newbuildings
	The carrying value of vessels under construction ("newbuildings") represents the accumulated costs to the balance sheet date which the Company has paid by way of purchase installments and other capital expenditures together with capitalized loan interest and associated finance costs. No charge for depreciation is made until a newbuilding is put into operation.
Investment in Capital Leases	'
	Investment in Capital Leases
	Leases (charters) of our vessels where we are the lessor are classified as either capital leases or operating leases, based on an assessment of the terms of the lease. For charters classified as capital leases, the minimum lease payments (reduced in the case of time-chartered vessels by projected vessel operating costs) plus the estimated residual value of the vessel are recorded as the gross investment in the capital lease.
	For capital leases that are direct financing leases, the difference between the gross investment in the lease and the carrying value of the vessel is recorded as unearned lease interest income. The net investment in the lease consists of the gross investment less the unearned income. Over the period of the lease each charter payment received, net of vessel operating costs if applicable, is allocated between "lease interest income" and "repayment of investment in lease" in such a way as to produce a constant percentage rate of return on the balance of the net investment in the direct financing lease. Thus, as the balance of the net investment in each direct financing lease decreases, a lower proportion of each lease payment received is allocated to lease interest income and a greater proportion is allocated to lease repayment. For direct financing leases relating to time chartered vessels, the portion of each time charter payment received that relates to vessel operating costs is classified as "lease service revenue".
	For capital leases that are sales-type leases, the difference between the gross investment in the lease and the present value of its components, i.e. the minimum lease payments and the estimated residual value, is recorded as unearned lease interest income. The discount rate used in determining the present values is the interest rate implicit in the lease. The present value of the minimum lease payments, computed using the interest rate implicit in the lease, is recorded as the sales price, from which the carrying value of the vessel at the commencement of the lease is deducted in order to determine the profit or loss on sale. As is the case for direct financing leases, the unearned lease interest income is amortized to income over the period of the lease so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment in the lease.
	Where a capital lease relates to a charter arrangement containing fixed price purchase options, the projected carrying value of the net investment in the lease is compared to the option price at the various option dates. If any option price is less than the projected net investment in the lease at an option date, the rate of amortization of unearned lease interest income is adjusted to reduce the net investment to the option price at the option date. If the option is not exercised, this process is repeated so as to reduce the net investment in the lease to the un-guaranteed residual value or the option price at the next option date, as appropriate.
	This accounting policy for investments in capital leases has the effect that if an option is exercised there will either be a) no gain or loss on the exercise of the option or b) in the event that an option is exercised at a price in excess of the net investment in the lease at the option date, a gain will be reported in the statement of operations at the date of delivery to the new owners.
	If the terms of an existing lease are agreed to be amended, other than by renewing the lease or extending its term, in a manner that would have resulted in a different classification of the lease had such amended terms been in effect at the lease inception, the amended lease agreement shall be considered to be a new lease agreement over the remainder of its term. If the terms of a capital lease are amended in a way that does not result in it being treated as a new operating lease agreement, the remaining minimum lease payments and, if appropriate, the estimated residual value will be amended to reflect the revised terms, with a corresponding increase or decrease in unearned income.
Other Investments	'
	Other Long-Term Investments
	Other long-term investments are measured at fair value using the best available value indicators. The Company currently has two long-term investments.
	One long-term investment consists of shares in a container vessel owner/operator which are not publicly traded, and the best estimate available for the valuation of this investment is the cost basis. When using this basis of valuation, the Company carries out regular reviews for possible impairment adjustments. Following such a review, an impairment adjustment was made to the carrying value of this asset in 2012, which is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations under "Long-term investment impairment charge" (see Note 5).
	The other long-term investment consists of warrants to purchase shares in a U.S. company, which were received in 2012, together with other assets, as part of the consideration for the Company agreeing to terminate certain long-term charter agreements (see Note 9). Although shares in the U.S. company are traded on the over-the-counter market, the warrants are not listed. The Company considers that the best method of establishing the fair value of the warrants is to calculate their value in relation to the current market price of the underlying shares, taking into account the terms, restrictions and other features of the warrants, the fundamental financial and other characteristics of the issuing company, trading characteristics of the issuing company's shares, and actual sale transactions of comparable securities completed in secondary markets. The Company carries out regular reviews of the value of this investment, and adjusts the carrying value accordingly. If it is considered that the initial value of the warrants may not be recoverable, the Company records an impairment adjustment in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Other changes in their value, which the Company believes to be temporary, are recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income. In 2012, the Company concluded that the initial value of the warrants may not be recoverable and recorded an impairment charge, which is reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations under "Long-term investment impairment charge" (see Note 5).
Deemed Equity Contributions	'
	Deemed Equity Contributions
	The Company has accounted for the acquisition of vessels from Frontline at Frontline's historical carrying value. The difference between the historical carrying value and the net investment in the lease has been recorded as a deferred deemed equity contribution. This deferred deemed equity contribution is presented as a reduction in the net investment in direct financing leases in the balance sheet. This results from the related party nature of both the transfer of the vessel and the subsequent direct financing lease. The deferred deemed equity contribution is amortized as a credit to contributed surplus over the life of the new lease arrangement, as lease payments are applied to the principal balance of the lease receivable.
Impairment of long-lived assets, including other long-term investments	'
	Impairment of long-lived assets, including other long-term investments
	The carrying value of long-lived assets, including other long-term investments, that are held by the Company are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For vessels, such indicators may include historically low spot charter rates and second hand vessel values. The Company assesses recoverability of the carrying value of the asset by estimating the future net cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition, taking into account the possibility of any existing medium and long-term charter arrangements being terminated early. If the future expected net cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair value. In addition, long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less estimated costs to sell. The Company carried out a review of the carrying value of its vessels, drilling rigs and long-term investments in the second quarter of the year ended December 31, 2009, and concluded that the carrying values of six single-hull vessels, which have since been sold, and its investment in shares in a container vessel owner/operator were impaired. No impairment loss was recorded in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011. In the year ended December 31, 2012, reviews of the carrying value of long-lived assets indicated that the Company's long-term investments in shares in a container vessel owner/operator and warrants to purchase shares in a U.S. company were impaired, and charges were taken against these assets. In the year ended December 31, 2013, reviews of the carrying value of long-lived assets indicated that no further impairment loss was required.
Deferred charges	'
	Deferred charges
	Loan costs, including debt arrangement fees, are capitalized and amortized on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant loan. The straight line basis of amortization approximates the effective interest method in the Company's statement of operations. Amortization of loan costs is included in interest expense. If a loan is repaid early, any unamortized portion of the related deferred charges is charged against income in the period in which the loan is repaid. Similarly, if a portion of a loan is repaid early, the corresponding portion of the unamortized related deferred charges is charged against income in the period in which the early repayment is made.
Convertible bonds	'
	Convertible bonds
	As required by ASC 470-20 "Debt with conversion and other options", the Company accounts for debt instruments with convertible features in accordance with the details and substance of the instruments at the time of their issuance. For convertible debt instruments issued at a substantial premium to equivalent instruments without conversion features, or those that may be settled in cash upon conversion, it is presumed that the premium or cash conversion option represents an equity component. Accordingly, the Company determines the carrying amounts of the liability and equity components of such convertible debt instruments by first determining the carrying amount of the liability component by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an equity component. The carrying amount of the equity component representing the embedded conversion option is then determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the total proceeds from the issue. The resulting equity component is recorded, with a corresponding offset to debt discount which is subsequently amortized to interest cost using the effective interest method over the period the debt is expected to be outstanding as an additional non-cash interest expense. Transaction costs associated with the instrument are allocated pro-rata between the debt and equity components.
	For conventional convertible bonds which do not have a cash conversion option or where no substantial premium is received on issuance, it may not be appropriate to split the bond into the liability and equity components.
Derivatives	'
	Derivatives
	Interest rate and currency swaps
	The Company enters into interest rate swap transactions from time to time to hedge a portion of its exposure to floating interest rates. These transactions involve the conversion of floating interest rates into fixed rates over the life of the transactions without an exchange of underlying principal. The Company also enters into currency swap transactions from time to time to hedge against the effects of exchange rate fluctuations on loan liabilities. Currency swap transactions involve the exchange of fixed amounts of other currencies for fixed US dollar amounts over the life of the transactions, including an exchange of underlying principal. The Company may also enter into a combination of interest and currency swaps "cross currency interest rate swaps". The fair values of the interest rate and currency swap contracts, including cross currency interest rate swaps, are recognized as assets or liabilities, and for certain of the Company's swaps the changes in fair values are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. When the interest rate and/or currency swap or combination, qualifies for hedge accounting under ASC Topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), and the Company has formally designated the swap as a hedge to the underlying loan, and when the hedge is effective, the changes in the fair value of the swap are recognized in other comprehensive income. If it becomes probable that the hedged forecasted transaction to which these swaps relate will not occur, the amounts in other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings immediately.
Financial Instruments	'
	Financial Instruments
	In determining the fair value of its financial instruments, the Company uses a variety of methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and risks existing at each balance sheet date. For the majority of financial instruments, including most derivatives and long-term debt, standard market conventions and techniques such as options pricing models are used to determine fair value. All methods of assessing fair value result in a general approximation of value, and such value may never actually be realized.
Drydocking provisions	'
	Drydocking provisions
	Normal vessel repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred. The Company recognizes the cost of a drydocking at the time the drydocking takes place, that is, it applies the "expense as incurred" method.
Earnings per share	'
	Earnings per share
	Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed based on the income available to common stockholders and the weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic EPS. Diluted EPS includes the effect of the assumed conversion of potentially dilutive instruments.
Stock-based compensation	'
	Share-based compensation
	The Company accounts for share-based payments in accordance with ASC Topic 718 "Compensation – Stock Compensation" ("ASC 718"), under which the fair value of stock options issued to employees is expensed over the period in which the options vest. The Company uses the simplified method for making estimates of the expected term of stock options.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Components of calculation of earnings per share	'
	The components of the numerator for the calculation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:
		Year ended December 31
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012	2011
	Basic:
	Net income available to stockholders	89,206	185,836	131,175
	Diluted:
	Net income available to stockholders	89,206	185,836	131,175
	Interest paid on 3.75% convertible bonds	5,092	4,688	4,180
		94,298	190,524	135,355
	The components of the denominator for the calculation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows:
		Year ended December 31
	(in thousands)	2013	2012	2011
	Basic earnings per share:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	89,508	80,594	79,125
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	89,508	80,594	79,125
	Effect of dilutive share options	163	168	286
	Effect of dilutive convertible debt	5,753	5,106	4,216
		95,424	85,868	83,627

OPERATING_LEASES_Tables

OPERATING LEASES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases, Operating [Abstract]	'
Minimum future revenue to be received under non-cancelable operating leases	'
	The minimum future revenues to be received under the Company's non-cancelable operating leases on its vessels as of December 31, 2013, are as follows:
	(in thousands of $)
	Year ending December 31
	2014	131,175
	2015	113,104
	2016	104,905
	2017	102,227
	2018	61,627
	Thereafter	64,669
	Total minimum lease revenues	577,707
Cost and accumulated depreciation of vessels leased to third parties on operating leases	'
	The cost and accumulated depreciation of vessels leased to third parties on operating leases at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Cost	1,360,605	1,259,588
	Accumulated depreciation	270,989	218,462
	Vessels and equipment, net	1,089,616	1,041,126

GAIN_ON_SALE_OF_ASSETS_AND_TER1

GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS AND TERMINATION OF CHARTERS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets [Abstract]	'
Gains on sale of assets and termination of charters	'
	The Company has recorded gains on sale of assets and termination of charters as follows:
		Year ended December 31
	(in thousands)	2013	2012	2011
	Gain on sale of assets	18,025	25,681	8,468
	Gain on termination of charters	—	21,705	—
	Total gain on sale of assets and termination of charters	18,025	47,386	8,468
Realized gains/(losses) on sales of vessels	'
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company realized the following gains on sales of vessels:
	(in thousands of $)	Imputed sales price	Book value	Gain/(loss)
	Vessel
	Edinburgh	18,801	14,535	4,266
	Front Pride	12,173	11,652	521
	Front Guider	21,184	7,946	13,238
		52,158	34,133	18,025

OTHER_FINANCIAL_ITEMS_Tables

OTHER FINANCIAL ITEMS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other financial items	'
	Other financial items comprise the following items:
		Year ended December 31
	(in thousands of $)	2013		2012		2011
	Net increase/(decrease) in fair value of non-designated derivatives	7,726		6,493		(3,696	)
	Net cash payments on non-designated derivatives	(2,653	)	(179	)	68
	Net increase/(decrease) in fair value of designated derivatives (ineffective portion)	224		1,466		(780	)
	Other items	(3,294	)	(1,904	)	(2,632	)
	Total other financial items	2,003		5,876		(7,040	)

AVAILABLE_FOR_SALE_SECURITIES_

AVAILABLE FOR SALE SECURITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Available-for-sale debt securities	'
	Marketable securities held by the Company are debt securities considered to be available-for-sale securities.
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Amortized cost	75,657	55,092
	Accumulated net unrealized gain	1,268	569
	Carrying value	76,925	55,661

VESSELS_AND_EQUIPMENT_NET_Tabl

VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Vessels and equipment	'
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Cost	1,360,605	1,259,588
	Accumulated depreciation	270,989	218,462
	Vessels and equipment, net	1,089,616	1,041,126

INVESTMENTS_IN_DIRECT_FINANCIN1

INVESTMENTS IN DIRECT FINANCING AND SALES-TYPE LEASES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases [Abstract]	'
Components of the investments in direct financing and sales-type leases	'
	The following lists the components of the investments in direct financing leases as at December 31, 2013, and the investments in direct financing and sales-type leases as at December 31, 2012:
	(in thousands of $)	2013		2012
	Total minimum lease payments to be received	1,490,111		1,955,514
	Less: amounts representing estimated executory costs including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(432,463	)	(538,890	)
	Net minimum lease payments receivable	1,057,648		1,416,624
	Estimated residual values of leased property (un-guaranteed)	278,152		328,865
	Less: unearned income	(318,910	)	(435,047	)
		1,016,890		1,310,442
	Less: deferred deemed equity contribution	(106,377	)	(151,454	)
	Less: unamortized gains	(7,105	)	(15,129	)
	Total investment in direct financing and sales-type  leases	903,408		1,143,859
	Current portion	45,148		56,870
	Long-term portion	858,260		1,086,989
		903,408		1,143,859
Minimum future gross revenues to be received under non-cancellable direct financing and sales-type leases	'
	The minimum future gross revenues to be received under the Company's non-cancellable direct financing and sales-type leases as of December 31, 2013, are as follows:
	(in thousands of $)
	Year ending December 31
	2014	139,769
	2015	136,568
	2016	181,743
	2017	180,735
	2018	174,040
	Thereafter	677,256
	Total minimum lease revenues	1,490,111

INVESTMENT_IN_ASSOCIATED_COMPA1

INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary, Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Percentage participation using the equity method of accounting	'
	At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 the Company had the following participation in investments that are recorded using the equity method:
		2013		2012		2011
	SFL West Polaris Limited	100	%	100	%	100	%
	SFL Deepwater Ltd	100	%	100	%	100	%
	SFL Hercules Ltd	100	%	100	%	—
	SFL Linus Ltd	100	%	—		—
	Bluelot Shipping Company Limited	100	%	100	%	100
	SFL Corte Real Limited	100	%	100	%	100
Summarized financial statement information of equity method investees	'
	Summarized balance sheet information of the Company's equity method investees is as follows:
		As of December 31, 2013
	(in thousands of $)	TOTAL		SFL Deepwater		SFL West Polaris		SFL Hercules	SFL Linus		Bluelot	Corte Real
	Current assets (1)	205,916		94,981		34,412		56,886	—		9,780	9,857
	Non-current assets	1,516,033		432,755		458,558		429,720	195,000		—	—
	Total assets	1,721,949		527,736		492,970		486,606	195,000		9,780	9,857
	Current liabilities	159,847		85,240		38,337		29,101	—		3,523	3,646
	Non-current liabilities (2)	1,521,115		418,554		451,384		453,860	197,317		—	—
	Total liabilities	1,680,962		503,794		489,721		482,961	197,317		3,523	3,646
	Total shareholders' equity	40,987		23,942		3,249		3,645	(2,317	)	6,257	6,211
		As of December 31, 2012
	(in thousands of $)	TOTAL		SFL Deepwater		SFL West Polaris		SFL Hercules	SFL Linus		Bluelot	Corte Real
	Current assets (1)	206,114		145,390		52,776		—	—		3,998	3,950
	Non-current assets	1,482,687		994,390		488,297		—	—		—	—
	Total assets	1,688,801		1,139,780		541,073		—	—		3,998	3,950
	Current liabilities	868,850		828,712		40,138		—	—		—	—
	Non-current liabilities (2)	587,060		160,050		427,010		—	—		—	—
	Total liabilities	1,455,910		988,762		467,148		—	—		—	—
	Total shareholders' equity	232,891		151,018		73,925		—	—		3,998	3,950
	-1	Bluelot and Corte Real current assets at December 31, 2013, include $6.1 million (2012: $3.8 million) and $6.0 million (2012: $3.8 million) due from Ship Finance, respectively – see Note 23 "Related party transactions".
	-2	SFL Deepwater, SFL West Polaris, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus non-current liabilities at December 31, 2013, include $115.2 million (2012: $154.9 million), $100.4 million (2012: $67.0 million), $120.1 million ( 2012: $nil) and $195.0 million (2012: $nil)) due to Ship Finance – see Note 23 "Related party transactions". In the year ended December 31, 2013, SFL Deepwater and SFL West Polaris paid dividends of $150.0 million (2012: $nil; 2011: $nil) and $73.0 million (2012: $nil; 2011: $nil), respectively.
	Summarized statement of operations information of the Company's equity method investees is shown below.
		Year ended December 31, 2013
	(in thousands of $)	TOTAL		SFL Deepwater		SFL West Polaris		SFL Hercules	SFL Linus		Bluelot	Corte Real
	Operating revenues	122,792		46,145		23,701		13,832	—		19,490	19,624
	Net operating revenues	88,121		46,109		23,681		13,808	—		2,261	2,262
	Net income (3)	28,200		17,747		2,324		3,645	(38	)	2,261	2,261
		Year ended December 31, 2012
	(in thousands of $)	TOTAL		SFL Deepwater		SFL West Polaris		Bluelot	Corte Real
	Operating revenues	146,263		69,508		37,421		19,612	19,722
	Net operating revenues	111,434		69,485		37,418		2,266	2,265
	Net income (3)	43,492		28,243		10,719		2,266	2,264
		Year ended December 31, 2011
	(in thousands of $)	TOTAL		SFL Deepwater		SFL West Polaris		Bluelot	Corte Real		Rig Finance II
	Operating revenues	155,514		76,586		46,771		14,499	14,108		3,550
	Net operating revenues	130,311		76,583		46,767		1,731	1,686		3,544
	Net income (3)	50,902		31,861		12,806		1,731	1,686		2,818
	-3	The net income of SFL Deepwater, SFL West Polaris and SFL Hercules in the year ended December 31, 2013, includes interest payable to Ship Finance amounting to $9.6 million (2012: $13.1 million; 2011: $13.1 million), $6.5 million (2012: $6.5 million; 2011: $6.5 million) and $3.5 million (2012: $nil; 2011: $nil), respectively - see Note 23 "Related party transactions".

ACCRUED_EXPENSES_Tables

ACCRUED EXPENSES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	'
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Vessel operating expenses	1,959	1,478
	Administrative expenses	799	966
	Interest expense	11,074	10,132
		13,832	12,576

OTHER_CURRENT_LIABILITIES_Tabl

OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities	'
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Deferred charter revenue	3,744	1,311
	Prepaid charter income	822	2,544
	Employee taxes	773	823
	Other	209	11,893
		5,548	16,571

SHORTTERM_AND_LONGTERM_DEBT_Ta

SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-term Debt, by Current and Noncurrent [Abstract]	'
Schedule of short-term and long-term debt	'
	(in thousands of $)	2013		2012
	Short-term and long-term debt:
	8.5% Senior Notes due 2013	—		247,766
	Norwegian kroner 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014	71,854		78,505
	3.75% senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2016	125,000		125,000
	Norwegian kroner 600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2017	92,843		107,910
	3.25% senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2018	350,000		—
	U.S. dollar denominated floating rate debt (LIBOR plus margin) due through 2021	1,097,182		1,272,019
		1,736,879		1,831,200
	Less: short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	(389,888	)	(157,689	)
		1,346,991		1,673,511
Schedule of maturities of debt	'
	The outstanding debt as of December 31, 2013, is repayable as follows:
	(in thousands of $)
	Year ending December 31
	2014	389,888
	2015	223,850
	2016	184,505
	2017	173,717
	2018	474,680
	Thereafter	290,239
	Total debt	1,736,879

OTHER_LONG_TERM_LIABILITIES_Ta

OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Long Term Liabilities	'
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Unamortized sellers' credit	18,125	21,207
	Other items	4	204
		18,129	21,411

SHARE_CAPITAL_ADDITIONAL_PAIDI1

SHARE CAPITAL, ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share Capital	'
	Authorized share capital is as follows:
	(in thousands of $, except share data)	2013	2012
	125,000,000 common shares of $1.00 par value each	125,000	125,000
	Issued and fully paid share capital is as follows:
	(in thousands of $, except share data)	2013	2012
	93,260,000 common shares of $1.00 par value each (2012: 85,225,000 shares)	93,260	85,225

SHARE_OPTION_PLAN_Tables

SHARE OPTION PLAN (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of share option transactions	'
	The following summarizes share option transactions related to the Option Scheme in 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		2013						2012			2011
		Options			Weighted average exercise price $			Options		Weighted average exercise price $	Options	Weighted average exercise price $
	Options outstanding at beginning of year	498,000			10.27			830,500		11.25	617,000	10.14
	Granted	—			—			—		—	213,500	20.13
	Exercised	(75,000	)		5.29			(260,000	)	7.17	—	—
	Forfeited	—			—			(72,500	)	18.05	—	—
	Options outstanding at end of year	423,000			9.99			498,000		10.27	830,500	11.25
	Exercisable at end of year	374,333			9.22			376,668		8.29	434,006	7.94
Weighted average assumptions used to calculate the fair values of options granted and modified	'
	The fair values of options granted are estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model. The weighted average assumptions used to calculate the fair values of new options granted in 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
		Options granted in year ended December 31
		2013		2012		2011
	Risk free interest rate	—		—		1.13	%
	Expected volatility	—		—		65.6	%
	Expected dividend yield	—		—		0	%
	Expected life of options	—		—		3.5 years

RELATED_PARTY_TRANSACTIONS_Tab

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Amounts due from and to related parties, excluding direct financing lease balances	'
	The Consolidated Balance Sheets include the following amounts due from and to related parties, excluding direct financing lease balances (see Note 15):
	(in thousands of $)	2013	2012
	Amounts due from:
	Frontline Charterers	—	51,788
	Frontline Ltd	10,016	810
	UFC	770	—
	Deep Sea	—	1,305
	NADL	2,163	—
	Seadrill	300	300
	Total amount due from related parties	13,249	54,203
	Loans to related parties - associated companies, long-term
	SFL West Polaris	100,383	67,010
	SFL Deepwater	115,222	154,874
	SFL Hercules	120,110	—
	SFL Linus	195,000	—
	Total loans to related parties - associated companies, long-term	530,715	221,884
	Loans to related parties - others, long-term
	Frontline Ltd	48,847	—
	Total loans to related parties - others, long-term	48,847	—
	Amounts due to:
	Frontline Charterers	815	804
	Frontline Management	1,011	815
	Bluelot	6,064	3,802
	Corte Real	6,018	3,756
	Other related parties	57	50
	Total amount due to related parties	13,965	9,227
Summary of leasing revenues earned from related parties	'
	A summary of leasing revenues earned from the Frontline Charterers, Seadrill, Deep Sea and UFC is as follows:
	(in millions of $)	2013	2012	2011
	Operating lease income	24	20.7	21.9
	Direct financing lease interest income	55.4	59.2	97.8
	Finance lease service revenue	52.4	64.8	70
	Direct financing lease repayments	47.4	52.8	199.5
	Profit sharing revenues	0.8	52.2	0.5

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Tables

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Fair values of derivative instruments designated and not designated as cash flow hedges	'
	The following tables present the fair values of the Company's derivative instruments that were designated as cash flow hedges and qualified as part of a hedging relationship, and those that were not designated:
	(in thousands of $)	2013			2012
	Designated derivative instruments -short-term liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	2,279			—
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	3,358			—
	Non-designated derivative instruments -short-term liabilities:
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	68			—
	Total derivative instruments - short-term liabilities	5,705			—
	Designated derivative instruments -long-term liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	44,006			84,044
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	8,915			411
	Non-designated derivative instruments -long-term liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	3,183			1,426
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	386			—
	Total derivative instruments - long-term liabilities	56,490			85,881
	(in thousands of $)	2013			2012
	Designated derivative instruments -long-term assets:
	Interest rate swaps	6,565			4
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	—			3,275
	Non-designated derivative instruments -long-term assets:
	Interest rate swaps	10,068			—
	Cross currency interest rate swaps	—			132
	Total derivative instruments - long-term assets	16,633			3,411
Schedule of interest rate swap transactions designated as hedges against specific loans	'
	The summary includes all swap transactions, most of which are hedges against specific loans.
	Notional Principal (in thousands of $)	Inception date	Maturity date	Fixed interest rate
	$213,158 (reducing to $122,632)	Mar-10	Mar-15	1.96% - 2.22%
	$36,972 (reducing to $24,794)	Mar-08	Aug-18	4.05% - 4.15%
	$41,956 (reducing to $23,394)	Apr-11	Dec-18	2.13% - 2.80%
	$62,535 (reducing to $34,044)	May-11	Jan-19	0.80% - 2.58%
	$100,000 (remaining at $100,000)	Aug-11	Aug-21	2.50% - 2.93%
	$76,136 (equivalent to NOK450 million)	Oct-10	Apr-14	5.32	%	*
	$174,789 (reducing to $153,804)	Apr-06	May-19	6	%
	$154,100(terminating at $79,733)	May-12	Aug-22	1.76% - 1.85%
	$73,938 (reducing to $69,713)	Sep-12	Sep-14	4.85	%
	$105,436 (equivalent to NOK600 million)	Oct-12	Oct-17	5.92% - 6.23%		*
	$48,767 (reducing to $32,142)	Feb-13	Dec-17	0.81% - 0.82%
	$100,000 (remaining at $100,000)	Mar-13	Apr-23	1.85% - 1.97%
	*	These swaps relate to the NOK500 million and NOK600 million unsecured bonds, and the fixed interest rates paid are exchanged for NIBOR plus the margin on the bonds. For the remaining swaps the fixed interest rate paid is exchanged for LIBOR, excluding margin on the underlying loans.
Schedule of currency swap transactions	'
	The Company has entered into currency swap transactions, involving the payment of U.S. dollars in exchange for Norwegian kroner, which are designated as hedges against the NOK500 million senior unsecured bonds due 2014 and the NOK600 million senior unsecured bonds due 2017.
	Principal Receivable	Principal Payable	Inception date	Maturity date
	NOK450 million	US$76.1 million	Oct-10	Apr-14
	NOK600 million	US$105.4 million	Oct-12	Oct-17
Schedule of carrying value and estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities	'
	The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's financial assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013, and 2012, are as follows:
			2013			2013		2012		2012
	(in thousands of $)		Carrying value			Fair value		Carrying value		Fair  value
	Non-derivatives:
	Available for sale securities		76,925			76,925		55,661		55,661
	Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014		71,854			72,032		78,505		78,891
	Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017		92,483			93,752		107,910		106,902
	8.5% Senior Notes due 2013		—			—		247,766		248,542
	3.75% unsecured convertible bonds due 2016		125,000			130,589		125,000		118,513
	3.25% unsecured convertible bonds due 2018		350,000			359,307		—		—
	Derivatives:
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term receivables		16,633			16,633		3,411		3,411
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – short-term payables		5,705			5,705		—		—
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables		56,490			56,490		85,881		85,881
Schedule of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The above fair values of financial assets and liabilities as at December 31, 2013, are measured as follows:
					Fair value measurements using
		Total fair value as at December 31, 2013			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	(in thousands of $)				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Available for sale securities	76,925			56,379				20,546
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts - long-term receivables	16,633					16,633
	Total assets	93,558			56,379		16,633		20,546
	Liabilities:
	Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014	72,032			72,032
	Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017	93,752			93,752
	3.75% unsecured convertible bonds due 2016	130,589			130,589
	3.25% unsecured convertible bonds due 2018	359,307			359,307
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – short-term payables	5,705					5,705
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables	56,490					56,490
	Total liabilities	717,875			655,680		62,195		—
	The above fair values of financial assets and liabilities as at December 31, 2012, were measured as follows:
					Fair value measurements using
		Total fair value as at December 31, 2012			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	(in thousands of $)				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Available for sale securities	55,661			37,882				17,779
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term receivables	3,411					3,411
	Total assets	59,072			37,882		3,411		17,779
	Liabilities:
	Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014	78,891			78,891
	Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017	106,902			106,902
	8.5% Senior Notes due 2013	248,542			248,542
	3.75% unsecured convertible bonds due 2016	118,513			118,513
	Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables	85,881					85,881
	Total liabilities	638,729			552,848		85,881		—
Schedule of changes in the fair values of the asset with Level 3 valuation	'
	he following table shows the changes in the fair values of the asset with Level 3 valuation during the year ended December 31, 2013:
	(in thousands of $)		Unlisted Available for Sale Securities
	Fair values - Level 3 inputs:
	Balance as at December 31, 2012		17,779
	Interest income, receivable in form of unlisted second lien loan notes - see (a) below		2,767
	Balance as at December 31, 2013		20,546
	(a) The interest income of $2.8 million is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations under "Interest income - other".

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENT_LIA1

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of assets pledged	'
	Assets Pledged
		2013
	Book value of assets pledged under ship mortgages (see Note 19)	$1,994 million

GENERAL_Details

GENERAL (Details)	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014
	drilling_rigs	Subsequent Event [Member]
	tankers	vessel
	carriers
	vessel
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Number of very large crude oil carriers owned	15	'
Number of Suezmax crude oil carriers owned	7	'
Number of Supramax drybulk carriers owned	5	'
Number of Handysize drybulk carriers owned	7	'
Number of container vessels owned	9	'
Number of car carriers	2	'
Number of jack-up drilling rigs owned	1	'
Number of ultra-deepwater drilling units owned by wholly-owned subsidiaries accounted for using the equity method	3	'
Number of offshore supply vessels owned	6	'
Number of chemical tankers owned	2	'
Number of wholly-owned subsidiaries that have chartered-in vessels on a long-term bareboat basis	3	'
Number of wholly owned subsidiaries that have chartered-in vessels, long term	2	'
Number of chartered-in vessels	2	'
Number of container vessels contracted to be acquired	7	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Number of container vessels contracted to be acquired, canceled	'	1

GENERAL_Equity_Method_Investme

GENERAL (Equity Method Investment) (Details) (SFL Linus [Member], Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member])	Dec. 31, 2013
	drilling_rigs
SFL Linus [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'
Number of newbuilding harsh environment jack-up drilling rigs contracted to be delivered	1

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES_Related_Pa

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Related Party) (Details) (Frontline Charterers [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended		24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
Frontline Charterers [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Profit sharing percentage of earnings from Frontline for use of fleet	'	20.00%	'
Increase profit sharing percentage of earnings from Frontline for use of fleet (in hundredths)	'	'	25.00%
Compensation payment received	'	$106,000,000	'
Non-refundable advance relating to the profit sharing agreement	'	50,000,000	'
Period of temporary reduction in daily time charter rates	'4 years	'	'
Agreed Temporary Reduction in Daily Time Charter Rates	'	'	6,500
Maximum daily amount to which temporary earnings-related 100% payment applies	'	'	$6,500

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES_Details

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	vessel	drilling_rigs		Offshore assets [Member]	All other vessels [Member]	Office equipment [Member]
		Investment
		vessel
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of ultra deepwater drilling units owned	'	3	'	'	'	'
Number of wholly owned subsidiaries that have chartered-in vessels, long term	'	2	'	'	'	'
Number of wholly-owned subsidiaries that own drilling rigs	'	3	'	'	'	'
Number of chartered-in vessels	'	2	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	'	$0	$0	'	'	'
Estimated economic useful life (in years)	'	'	'	'30 years	'25 years	'
Depreciation, rate	'	'	'	'	'	20.00%
Number of long-term investments in shares which are not publicly traded	'	2	'	'	'	'
Number of impaired single-hull vessels	6	'	'	'	'	'

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	1

LONGTERM_INVESTMENT_IMPAIRMENT1

LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IMPAIRMENT CHARGE (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Investment

Non-Publicly Traded Company [Member]

Non-Publicly Traded Company [Member]

Non-Publicly Traded Company [Member]

Warrants Acquired to Purchase Company Shares [Member]

Warrants Acquired to Purchase Company Shares [Member]

Warrants Acquired to Purchase Company Shares [Member]

Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]

Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term investment impairment charge

$500,000

$3,400,000

$0

$3,353,000

$0

$2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of long term investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

Number of impaired investments

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments, carrying value

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

1,200,000

'

1,200,000

'

Other long-term investments

'

'

$1,235,000

$1,241,000

'

'

'

'

'

$1,700,000

'

'

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Basic:	'	'	'
Net income available to stockholders	$89,206	$185,836	$131,175
Diluted:	'	'	'
Interest paid on 3.75% convertible bonds	5,092	4,688	4,180
Net income available to stockholders, diluted	$94,298	$190,524	$135,355
Basic earnings per share:	'	'	'
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	89,508	80,594	79,125
Diluted earnings per share:	'	'	'
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	89,508	80,594	79,125
Effect of dilutive share options	163	168	286
Effect of dilutive convertible debt	5,753	5,106	4,216
Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding	95,424	85,868	83,627

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Narrative_D

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
	Convertible Debt Securities [Member]	Convertible Debt [Member]	Convertible Debt [Member]	Convertible Debt [Member]	Convertible Debt [Member]
		3.75% Convertible Bond [Member]	3.75% Convertible Bond [Member]	3.75% Convertible Bond [Member]	3.25% Convertible Debt [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stated interest rate	'	3.75%	3.75%	3.75%	3.25%
Antidilutive securities	17,147,448	'	'	'	'
Debt amount	'	'	'	'	$350,000,000
Conversion price (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	$20.41

OPERATING_LEASES_Details

OPERATING LEASES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Minimum future revenues to be received under non-cancelable operating leases [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$131,175	'
2015	113,104	'
2016	104,905	'
2017	102,227	'
2018	61,627	'
Thereafter	64,669	'
Total minimum lease revenues	577,707	'
Cost and accumulated depreciation of vessels leased on operating leases [Abstract]	'	'
Cost	1,360,605	1,259,588
Accumulated depreciation	270,989	218,462
Vessels and equipment, net	$1,089,616	$1,041,126

GAIN_ON_SALE_OF_ASSETS_AND_TER2

GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS AND TERMINATION OF CHARTERS (Sale of Assets and Termination of Charters) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of assets	'	$18,025	$25,681	$8,468
Gain on termination of charters	21,705	0	21,705	0
Total gain on sale of assets and termination of charters	'	$18,025	$47,386	$8,468

GAIN_ON_SALE_OF_ASSETS_AND_TER3

GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS AND TERMINATION OF CHARTERS (Gain on Sale of Vessels) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 16, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 15, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 13, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

vessel

Sale of VLCC Edinburgh [Member]

Sale of VLCC Edinburgh [Member]

Sale of Golden Victory and Front Champion [Member]

Sale of Front Pride [Member]

Sale of Front Pride [Member]

Sale of Front Guider [Member]

Sale of Front Guider [Member]

Ore-Bulk-Oil (OBO) Carriers [Member]

Ore-Bulk-Oil (OBO) Carriers [Member]

Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) [Member]

Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) [Member]

vessel

vessel

vessel

vessel

vessel

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Imputed sales price

$52,158

'

'

'

($18,801)

'

'

($12,173)

'

($21,184)

'

'

'

'

Book value

34,133

'

'

'

14,535

'

'

11,652

'

7,946

'

'

'

'

Gain/(loss)

$18,025

$25,681

$8,468

$4,266

'

$0

$521

'

$13,238

'

'

'

'

'

Number of vessels sold

2

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

4

3

2

2

GAIN_ON_SALE_OF_ASSETS_AND_TER4

GAIN ON SALE OF ASSETS AND TERMINATION OF CHARTERS (Compensation Received on Termination of Charters) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	vessel
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Gain/(loss)	'	$18,025,000	$25,681,000	$8,468,000
Number of container vessels with charter agreement terminated	5	'	'	'
Compensation payable (receivable) for early contract termination of charter	40,000,000	'	'	'
Percent of common stock to be received upon exercise of warrants	10.00%	'	'	'
Total compensation received on termination of charters	$21,705,000	$0	$21,705,000	$0

OTHER_FINANCIAL_ITEMS_Details

OTHER FINANCIAL ITEMS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net increase/(decrease) in fair value of non-designated derivatives	$7,726	$6,493	($3,696)
Net cash payments on non-designated derivatives	-2,653	-179	68
Net increase/(decrease) in fair value of designated derivatives (ineffective portion)	224	1,466	-780
Other items	-3,294	-1,904	-2,632
Total other financial items	2,003	5,876	-7,040
Amount reclassified from Other comprehensive income resulting from certain interest rate swaps no longer being designated as cash flow hedges	$2,102	$0	$1,800

AVAILABLE_FOR_SALE_SECURITIES_1

AVAILABLE FOR SALE SECURITIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	$75,657	$55,092
Accumulated net unrealized gain	1,268	569
Carrying value	76,925	55,661
Listed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value	56,379	37,882
Unlisted Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value	20,546	17,779
Unlisted Securities [Member] | Second Lien Interest-Bearing Loan Notes [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value	$51,365	$44,400

TRADE_ACCOUNTS_RECEIVABLE_AND_1

TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts, trade receivables	$0	$0
Trade accounts receivable	8,362,000	7,997,000
Allowance for Doubtful Other Receivables	0	0
Other receivables	79,301,000	3,673,000
Trade Accounts Receivable 1 [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	5,000,000	'
Investment Loan [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Other receivables	50,000,000	'
Receivable on Cancellation of Contract [Member]	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Other receivables	$24,900,000	'

VESSELS_AND_EQUIPMENT_NET_Sche

VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Schedule of Vessels and Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Cost	$1,360,605	$1,259,588
Accumulated depreciation	270,989	218,462
Vessels and equipment, net	$1,089,616	$1,041,126

VESSELS_AND_EQUIPMENT_NET_Deta

VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	tankers	carriers
	carriers
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'
Book value of tankers	$1,089,616,000	$1,041,126,000	'
Number of drybulk carriers delivered	1	5	'
Cost of drybulk carriers	27,800,000	145,200,000	'
Number of Car Carriers Delivered	'	2	'
Cost of Car Carriers	'	76,900,000	'
Number of Suezmax Tankers Transferred To Operating Lease Assets	2	'	'
Depreciation	58,436,000	55,602,000	49,929,000
Suezmax Tankers [Member] | Property Available for Operating Lease [Member]	'	'	'
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'
Book value of tankers	$93,600,000	'	'

NEWBUILDINGS_Details

NEWBUILDINGS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	carriers	carriers
	contract	contract
	vessel
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of container vessels contracted to be acquired	7	'	'
Interest capitalized in the cost of newbuildings	$257,000	$332,000	$438,000
Number of newbuilding contracts	7	5	'
Accumulated costs of newbuildings	$126,000,000	$69,200,000	'
Number of drybulk carriers delivered	1	5	'
8700 TEU Container Vessel [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of container vessels contracted to be acquired	4	'	'
5800 TEU Container Vessel [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of container vessels contracted to be acquired, canceled	1	'	'

INVESTMENTS_IN_DIRECT_FINANCIN2

INVESTMENTS IN DIRECT FINANCING AND SALES-TYPE LEASES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	tankers	assets
	assets	tankers
	vessel
Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases [Abstract]	'	'
Number of VLCCs and Suezmaxes Chartered	20	'
Term of charters, minimum (in years)	'4 years	'
Term of charters, maximum (in years)	'13 years	'
Number of offshore supply vessels chartered on long-term bareboat charters	1	'
Joint venture, ownership percentage	50.00%	'
Assets accounted for as direct financing leases and leased to related parties	22	26
Number of Suezmax Tankers Transferred To Operating Lease Assets	2	'
Assets accounted for as sales-type leases and leased to non-related parties	2	2
Minimum future lease revenues to be received [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$139,769	'
2015	136,568	'
2016	181,743	'
2017	180,735	'
2018	174,040	'
Thereafter	677,256	'
Total minimum lease revenues	$1,490,111	'

INVESTMENTS_IN_DIRECT_FINANCIN3

INVESTMENTS IN DIRECT FINANCING AND SALES-TYPE LEASES (Components of Investments in Direct Financing and Sales-type Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Net Investment in Direct Financing and Sales Type Leases [Abstract]	'	'
Total minimum lease payments to be received	$1,490,111	$1,955,514
Less: amounts representing estimated executory costs including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	-432,463	-538,890
Net minimum lease payments receivable	1,057,648	1,416,624
Estimated residual values of leased property (un-guaranteed)	278,152	328,865
Less: unearned income	-318,910	-435,047
Net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases before deferred deemed equity contribution and unamortized gains	1,016,890	1,310,442
Less: deferred deemed equity contribution	-106,377	-151,454
Less: unamortized gains	-7,105	-15,129
Total investment in direct financing and sales-type leases	903,408	1,143,859
Current portion	45,148	56,870
Long-term portion	$858,260	$1,086,989

INVESTMENT_IN_ASSOCIATED_COMPA2

INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

31-May-13

Oct. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2008

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

31-May-11

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2014

SFL Hercules [Member]

SFL Hercules [Member]

SFL Hercules [Member]

SFL Hercules [Member]

SFL Hercules [Member]

SFL Linus [Member]

SFL Linus [Member]

SFL Linus [Member]

SFL Linus [Member]

SFL Deepwater [Member]

SFL Deepwater [Member]

SFL Deepwater [Member]

SFL Deepwater [Member]

SFL Deepwater [Member]

SFL West Polaris [Member]

SFL West Polaris [Member]

SFL West Polaris [Member]

SFL West Polaris [Member]

SFL West Polaris [Member]

Rig Finance II [Member]

Rig Finance II [Member]

Rig Finance II [Member]

Bluelot Shipping Company [Member]

Bluelot Shipping Company [Member]

Bluelot Shipping Company [Member]

SFL Corte Real [Member]

SFL Corte Real [Member]

SFL Corte Real [Member]

Total [Member]

Total [Member]

Total [Member]

Scenario, Forecast [Member]

assets

SFL Linus [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Participation in equity method investee (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

0.00%

'

'

100.00%

0.00%

0.00%

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

'

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

Term loan facility, principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$375,000,000

$475,000,000

'

'

'

$390,000,000

$1,400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$420,000,000

'

$700,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term loan facility, term

'

'

'

'6 years

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'5 years

'5 years

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term loan facility, amount outstanding

1,736,879,000

1,831,200,000

'

'

361,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

383,300,000

821,900,000

'

'

387,000,000

397,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term loan facility, amount guaranteed

'

'

'

'

90,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,000,000

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,000,000

Number of main assets subject of leases which includes both fixed price call options and fixed price purchase obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment loan to finance vessel

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Call option price relating to vessel sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

133,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on sale of investment in associated company

0

0

4,064,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Summarized balance sheet information [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current assets

'

'

'

'

56,886,000

[1]

0

[1]

'

'

'

0

[1]

0

[1]

'

'

'

94,981,000

[1]

145,390,000

[1]

'

'

34,412,000

[1]

52,776,000

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

9,780,000

[1]

3,998,000

[1]

'

9,857,000

[1]

3,950,000

[1]

'

205,916,000

[1]

206,114,000

[1]

'

'

Non-current assets

'

'

'

'

429,720,000

0

'

'

'

195,000,000

0

'

'

'

432,755,000

994,390,000

'

'

458,558,000

488,297,000

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

0

0

'

1,516,033,000

1,482,687,000

'

'

Total assets

'

'

'

'

486,606,000

0

'

'

'

195,000,000

0

'

'

'

527,736,000

1,139,780,000

'

'

492,970,000

541,073,000

'

'

'

'

'

9,780,000

3,998,000

'

9,857,000

3,950,000

'

1,721,949,000

1,688,801,000

'

'

Current liabilities

'

'

'

'

29,101,000

0

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

85,240,000

828,712,000

'

'

38,337,000

40,138,000

'

'

'

'

'

3,523,000

0

'

3,646,000

0

'

159,847,000

868,850,000

'

'

Non-current liabilities

'

'

'

'

453,860,000

[2]

0

[2]

'

'

'

197,317,000

[2]

0

[2]

'

'

'

418,554,000

[2]

160,050,000

[2]

'

'

451,384,000

[2]

427,010,000

[2]

'

'

'

'

'

0

[2]

0

[2]

'

0

[2]

0

[2]

'

1,521,115,000

[2]

587,060,000

[2]

'

'

Total liabilities

'

'

'

'

482,961,000

0

'

'

'

197,317,000

0

'

'

'

503,794,000

988,762,000

'

'

489,721,000

467,148,000

'

'

'

'

'

3,523,000

0

'

3,646,000

0

'

1,680,962,000

1,455,910,000

'

'

Total shareholders' equity

'

'

'

'

3,645,000

0

'

'

'

-2,317,000

0

'

'

'

23,942,000

151,018,000

'

'

3,249,000

73,925,000

'

'

'

'

'

6,257,000

3,998,000

'

6,211,000

3,950,000

'

40,987,000

232,891,000

'

'

Due from parent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,100,000

3,800,000

'

6,000,000

3,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

Due to parent

'

'

'

'

120,100,000

0

'

'

'

195,000,000

0

'

'

'

115,200,000

154,900,000

'

'

100,400,000

67,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

0

0

'

73,000,000

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Statement of operations information [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating revenues

'

'

'

'

13,832,000

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

46,145,000

69,508,000

76,586,000

'

23,701,000

37,421,000

46,771,000

'

'

3,550,000

'

19,490,000

19,612,000

14,499,000

19,624,000

19,722,000

14,108,000

122,792,000

146,263,000

155,514,000

'

Net operating revenues

'

'

'

'

13,808,000

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

46,109,000

69,485,000

76,583,000

'

23,681,000

37,418,000

46,767,000

'

'

3,544,000

'

2,261,000

2,266,000

1,731,000

2,262,000

2,265,000

1,686,000

88,121,000

111,434,000

130,311,000

'

Net income

'

'

'

'

3,645,000

'

'

'

'

-38,000

'

'

'

'

17,747,000

28,243,000

31,861,000

[3]

'

2,324,000

10,719,000

12,806,000

[3]

'

'

2,818,000

[3]

'

2,261,000

2,266,000

1,731,000

[3]

2,261,000

2,264,000

1,686,000

[3]

28,200,000

43,492,000

50,902,000

[3]

'

Interest payable to parent

'

'

'

'

$3,500,000

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$9,600,000

$13,100,000

$13,100,000

'

$6,500,000

$6,500,000

$6,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Bluelot and Corte Real current assets at December 31, 2013, include $6.1 million (2012: $3.8 million) and $6.0 million (2012: $3.8 million) due from Ship Finance, respectively – see Note 23 "Related party transactions".

[2]

SFL Deepwater, SFL West Polaris, SFL Hercules and SFL Linus non-current liabilities at December 31, 2013, include $115.2 million (2012: $154.9 million), $100.4 million (2012: $67.0 million), $120.1 million ( 2012: $nil) and $195.0 million (2012: $nil)) due to Ship Finance – see Note 23 "Related party transactions". In the year ended December 31, 2013, SFL Deepwater and SFL West Polaris paid dividends of $150.0 million (2012: $nil; 2011: $nil) and $73.0 million (2012: $nil; 2011: $nil), respectively.

[3]

The net income of SFL Deepwater, SFL West Polaris and SFL Hercules in the year ended December 31, 2013, includes interest payable to Ship Finance amounting to $9.6 million (2012: $13.1 million; 2011: $13.1 million), $6.5 million (2012: $6.5 million; 2011: $6.5 million) and $3.5 million (2012: $nil; 2011: $nil), respectively - see Note 23 "Related party transactions".

ACCRUED_EXPENSES_Details

ACCRUED EXPENSES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Vessel operating expenses	$1,959	$1,478
Administrative expenses	799	966
Interest expense	11,074	10,132
Accrued expenses	$13,832	$12,576

OTHER_CURRENT_LIABILITIES_Deta

OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
				Frontline Ltd [Member]
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Deferred charter revenue	'	$3,744,000	$1,311,000	'
Prepaid charter income	'	822,000	2,544,000	'
Employee taxes	'	773,000	823,000	'
Other	'	209,000	11,893,000	'
Other current liabilities	'	5,548,000	16,571,000	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Compensation payable (receivable) for early contract termination of charter	$40,000,000	'	'	$11,700,000

SHORTTERM_AND_LONGTERM_DEBT_De

SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

36 Months Ended

48 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2006

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 15, 2003

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 07, 2010

Feb. 28, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 10, 2011

Oct. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 30, 2006

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2008

Jan. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2008

Mar. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2008

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2010

Nov. 30, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 08, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2011

31-May-11

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

US Dollar 53.2 Million Secured Term Loan Facility [Member]

US Dollar 53.2 Million Secured Term Loan Facility [Member]

US Dollar 53.2 Million Secured Term Loan Facility [Member]

US Dollar 70 Million Secured Term Loan Facility [Member]

US Dollar 70 Million Secured Term Loan Facility [Member]

8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

US dollar 350 Million Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member]

US dollar 350 Million Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member]

NOK 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014 [Member]

NOK 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014 [Member]

NOK 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014 [Member]

NOK 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014 [Member]

NOK 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014 [Member]

NOK 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014 [Member]

NOK 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014 [Member]

NOK 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014 [Member]

3.75% Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2016 [Member]

3.75% Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2016 [Member]

3.75% Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2016 [Member]

3.75% Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2016 [Member]

NOK 600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2017 [Member]

NOK 600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2017 [Member]

NOK 600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2017 [Member]

NOK 600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2017 [Member]

NOK 600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2017 [Member]

Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member]

Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

SFL Linus [Member]

Interest Expense [Member]

vessel

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

NOK

NOK

NOK

USD ($)

NOK

USD ($)

NOK

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

NOK

USD ($)

NOK

USD ($)

NOK

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

US$ 210 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 210 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 210 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 149 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 149 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 149 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 149 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 77 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 77 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 77 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 30 million secured revolving credit facility (February 2008) [Member]

US$ 30 million secured revolving credit facility (February 2008) [Member]

US$ 30 million secured revolving credit facility (February 2008) [Member]

US$ 49 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 49 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 49 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 58 million secured revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 58 million secured revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 43 million secured term loan facility (February 2010) [Member]

US$ 43 million secured term loan facility (February 2010) [Member]

US$ 43 million secured term loan facility (February 2010) [Member]

US$ 725 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 725 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 725 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 43 million secured term loan facility (March 2010) [Member]

US$ 43 million secured term loan facility (March 2010) [Member]

US$ 43 million secured term loan facility (March 2010) [Member]

US$ 54 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 54 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 54 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 95 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 95 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 95 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US$ 75 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 75 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 75 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 171 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 171 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 171 million secured term loan facility [Member]

US$ 55 million secured securities financing facility [Member]

US$ 55 million secured securities financing facility [Member]

US$ 55 million secured securities financing facility [Member]

US$ 167 million secured term loan facility

US$ 167 million secured term loan facility

US$ 167 million secured term loan facility

US dollar 184 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US dollar 184 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

US dollar 184 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

vessel

US Dollar 70 Million Secured Term Loan Facility [Member]

US dollar 350 Million Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member]

Floating Rate Debt [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

carriers

subsidiaries

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

vessel

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

US dollar 184 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility [Member]

carriers

vessel

vessel

subsidiaries

tankers

subsidiaries

vessel

vessel

subsidiaries

carriers

carriers

subsidiaries

carriers

carriers

vessel

vessel

subsidiaries

vessel

USD ($)

subsidiaries

subsidiaries

vessel

subsidiaries

containership

vessel

vessel

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of container vessels contracted to be acquired, canceled

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

Extinguishment of debt, amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$18,400,000

'

'

Long-term debt

1,736,879,000

1,831,200,000

'

'

48,800,000

53,200,000

70,000,000

0

0

247,766,000

'

'

'

'

247,766,000

'

'

'

'

436,500,000

'

'

71,854,000

436,500,000

78,505,000

'

'

125,000,000

125,000,000

'

'

92,843,000

564,000,000

107,910,000

600,000,000

350,000,000

0

1,097,182,000

1,272,019,000

'

174,800,000

174,800,000

'

73,900,000

82,400,000

'

'

39,100,000

45,500,000

5,000,000

7,000,000

'

'

25,600,000

29,300,000

'

23,000,000

32,000,000

34,800,000

'

158,800,000

313,000,000

'

32,000,000

34,800,000

'

'

42,000,000

45,900,000

47,500,000

52,500,000

'

62,500,000

68,400,000

'

'

146,300,000

140,300,000

'

'

'

74,500,000

130,300,000

'

'

64,400,000

36,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less : current portion of long-term debt

-389,888,000

-157,689,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total long-term debt, non-current portion

1,346,991,000

1,673,511,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2014

389,888,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2015

223,850,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2016

184,505,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2017

173,717,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2018

474,680,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Thereafter

290,239,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

1,736,879,000

1,831,200,000

'

'

48,800,000

53,200,000

70,000,000

0

0

247,766,000

'

'

'

'

247,766,000

'

'

'

'

436,500,000

'

'

71,854,000

436,500,000

78,505,000

'

'

125,000,000

125,000,000

'

'

92,843,000

564,000,000

107,910,000

600,000,000

350,000,000

0

1,097,182,000

1,272,019,000

'

174,800,000

174,800,000

'

73,900,000

82,400,000

'

'

39,100,000

45,500,000

5,000,000

7,000,000

'

'

25,600,000

29,300,000

'

23,000,000

32,000,000

34,800,000

'

158,800,000

313,000,000

'

32,000,000

34,800,000

'

'

42,000,000

45,900,000

47,500,000

52,500,000

'

62,500,000

68,400,000

'

'

146,300,000

140,300,000

'

'

'

74,500,000

130,300,000

'

'

64,400,000

36,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average interest rate (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.86%

4.17%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Three month dollar LIBOR rate (in hundredths)

0.25%

0.31%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Three month Norwegian kroner NIBOR rate (in hundredths)

1.69%

1.83%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.50%

'

3.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt amount

'

'

'

53,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

580,000,000

'

350,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

'

'

'

125,000,000

600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

210,000,000

'

'

149,000,000

'

'

'

77,000,000

'

'

'

'

30,000,000

49,000,000

'

'

58,000,000

'

'

'

42,600,000

'

'

725,000,000

'

'

42,600,000

53,700,000

'

'

'

'

95,000,000

'

'

75,400,000

171,000,000

'

'

55,000,000

'

'

'

'

166,800,000

184,000,000

'

'

'

70,000,000

'

'

475,000,000

'

Amount of debt repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

130,900,000

201,300,000

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

13,000,000

40,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain/(loss) on repurchase of debt

-1,218,000

-122,000

521,000

'

'

'

'

'

-1,100,000

-122,000

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-108,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Latest redemption date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6-Apr-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4/7/2014

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2016

'

'

'

'10/19/2017

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earliest redemption date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7-Oct-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notice of redemption (in days)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'30 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption price of debt (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.50%

'

'

'

'

100.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion price (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$19.98

$21.95

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$19.78

'

$27.05

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premium of conversion price to share price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Threshold percentage of value of shares underlying each bond to principal amount of bond for the bonds to be callable (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

130.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of new vessels acquired that were partly funded by secured term loan facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

5

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum revenue level by vessel-owning subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available amount under revolving part of credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,900,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

119,700,000

36,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,000,000

25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,000,000

1,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company that entered into secured term loan facility agreement

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

5

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of loan (in years)

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'12 years

'

'

'7 years

'

'

'

'7 years

'

'

'

'

'7 years

'10 years

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'5 years

'8 years

'

'

'

'

'7 years

'

'

'8 years

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 years

'12 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of vessels sold

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of remaining vessels relating to loan facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of vessels against which loan was secured

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

17

'

26

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

7

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

5

4

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of vessels delivered

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

2

'

'

1

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount available to draw

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,200,000

18,900,000

'

'

'

'

92,000,000

147,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of acquisition cost of securities which may be funded by financing facility (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of car carriers

2

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Book value of assets pledged under ship mortgages

1,994,000,000

2,240,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common shares loaned to affiliate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,060,606

'

'

'

Related party share loan fee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

Equity component of convertible bond issuance, net

20,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of deferred charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,900,000

OTHER_LONG_TERM_LIABILITIES_De

OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	vessel
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Unamortized sellers' credit	$18,125,000	$21,207,000
Other items	4,000	204,000
Other long-term liabilities	18,129,000	21,411,000
Number of offshore supply vessels acquired	6	'
Seller's credit received	$37,000,000	'

SHARE_CAPITAL_ADDITIONAL_PAIDI2

SHARE CAPITAL, ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'
Common shares, authorized	$125,000,000	$125,000,000
Share capital, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common shares, authorized (in shares)	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common shares, issued	$93,260,000	$85,225,000
Common shares, issued (in shares)	93,260,000	85,225,000

SHARE_CAPITAL_ADDITIONAL_PAIDI3

SHARE CAPITAL, ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	5 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	31-May-13	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013
				employees		Ship Finance International Limited Share Option Scheme [Member]	Ship Finance International Limited Share Option Scheme [Member]	US dollar 350 Million Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member]	US dollar 350 Million Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options exercised (in shares)	'	35,000	'	100,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercised share price (in dollars per share)	'	$5.29	'	$6.85	'	'	'	'	'
Premium on stock options exercised	'	$200,000	'	$600,000	'	'	'	'	'
Shares issued (in shares)	8,000,000	'	'	6,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from shares issued	128,700,000	'	'	88,900,000	'	'	'	'	'
Premium on new shares issued	120,700,000	'	'	82,900,000	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred equity contributions	'	'	20,200,000	13,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion price (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$19.98	$21.95
Premium of conversion price to share price	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	33.00%
Total intrinsic value of options exercised during the period	'	'	900,000	2,300,000	0	400,000	1,500,000	'	'
Number of employees exercising options	'	'	'	2	'	'	'	'	'
Debt amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	350,000,000
Equity component of convertible bond issuance, net	'	'	$20,700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

SHARE_OPTION_PLAN_Details

SHARE OPTION PLAN (Details) (USD $)	5 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	31-May-13	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share options [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Exercised (in shares)	-35,000	'	-100,000	'
Other disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total intrinsic value of options exercised during the period	'	$900,000	$2,300,000	$0
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options, term (in years)	'	'5 years	'	'
Share options [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)	498,000	498,000	830,500	617,000
Granted (in shares)	'	0	0	213,500
Exercised (in shares)	'	-75,000	-260,000	0
Forfeited (in shares)	'	0	-72,500	0
Options outstanding at end of year (in shares)	'	423,000	498,000	830,500
Exercisable at end of year (in shares)	'	374,333	376,668	434,006
Weighted average exercise price [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share)	10.27	$10.27	$11.25	$10.14
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	$0	$0	$20.13
Exercised (in dollars per share)	'	$5.29	$7.17	$0
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	'	$0	$18.05	$0
Options outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share)	'	$9.99	$10.27	$11.25
Exercisable at end of year (in dollars per share)	'	$9.22	$8.29	$7.94
Other disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	0	0	213,500
Intrinsic value of options fully vested but not exercised	'	2,700,000	'	'
Options fully vested but not exercised, average remaining term (in years)	'	'1 year 1 month 28 days	'	'
Unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested options granted	'	$29,100	$251,500	'
Unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested options granted, average period for cost recognition (in years)	'	'0 years 2 months 13 days	'	'
New Options Granted During The Year [Member]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average assumptions used to calculate fair value of options [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Risk free interest rate (in hundredths)	'	0.00%	0.00%	1.13%
Expected volatility (in hundredths)	'	0.00%	0.00%	65.60%
Expected dividend yield (in hundredths)	'	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected life of options (in years)	'	'0 years	'0 years	'3 years 6 months
Other disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average grant-date/modification-date fair value of options granted/modified during the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$9.50
Minimum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Option vesting period, minimum (in years)	'	'1 year	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Option vesting period, minimum (in years)	'	'3 years	'	'

RELATED_PARTY_TRANSACTIONS_Det

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jan. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

31-May-13

31-May-13

assets

assets

Frontline Charterers, Seadrill, Deep Sea and UFC [Member]

Frontline Charterers, Seadrill, Deep Sea and UFC [Member]

Frontline Charterers, Seadrill, Deep Sea and UFC [Member]

Frontline Charterers [Member]

Frontline Charterers [Member]

Frontline Charterers [Member]

Frontline Charterers [Member]

Seadrill [Member]

Seadrill [Member]

Deep Sea [Member]

Deep Sea [Member]

United Freight Carriers Inc [Member]

United Freight Carriers Inc [Member]

United Freight Carriers Inc [Member]

Frontline Ltd [Member]

Frontline Ltd [Member]

NADL [Member]

NADL [Member]

Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II [Member]

Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II [Member]

Frontline Shipping and Frontline Shipping II [Member]

Frontline Management [Member]

Frontline Management [Member]

Frontline Management [Member]

Other related parties [Member]

Other related parties [Member]

Golar Management UK Limited [Member]

Golar Management UK Limited [Member]

Golar Management UK Limited [Member]

Bluelot [Member]

Bluelot [Member]

Corte Real [Member]

Corte Real [Member]

Frontline Charterers, Deep Sea and Seadrill [Member]

Frontline Charterers, Deep Sea and Seadrill [Member]

Frontline Management AS [Member]

Frontline Management AS [Member]

Frontline Management AS [Member]

Frontline Management and Frontline Management AS [Member]

Frontline Management and Frontline Management AS [Member]

Seadrill Management (S) Pte Ltd [Member]

Seadrill Management (S) Pte Ltd [Member]

Seadrill Management (S) Pte Ltd [Member]

SFL West Polaris and SFL Deepwater [Member]

Golden Ocean [Member]

Golden Ocean [Member]

Golden Ocean [Member]

SFL West Polaris [Member]

SFL West Polaris [Member]

SFL West Polaris [Member]

SFL Deepwater [Member]

SFL Deepwater [Member]

SFL Deepwater [Member]

SFL Hercules [Member]

SFL Hercules [Member]

SFL Hercules [Member]

SFL Linus [Member]

SFL Linus [Member]

Rig Finance II [Member]

Rig Finance II [Member]

Rig Finance II [Member]

Sale of VLCC Edinburgh [Member]

Sale of Front Pride [Member]

Sale of Front Guider [Member]

Sale of Golden Victory [Member]

Sale of Front Champion [Member]

Sale of Golden Victory and Front Champion [Member]

Notes Receivable [Member]

Loan Notes [Member]

Loan Notes [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Vessels Leased to Frontline Charterers [Member]

Management Fee Contract for Vessels Glorycrown and Everbright [Member]

Deep Sea [Member]

BTG Pactual [Member]

vessel

vessel

vessel

vessel

vessel

vessel

vessel

tankers

carriers

Seadrill [Member]

Seadrill [Member]

vessel

Frontline Ltd [Member]

Frontline Ltd [Member]

NADL [Member]

Frontline Management [Member]

Frontline Management [Member]

Deep Sea Supply BTG B.V. [Member]

Deep Sea Supply BTG B.V. [Member]

carriers

vessel

contract

vessel

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Joint venture, ownership percentage

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

50.00%

Amounts due from and to related parties [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Due from related parties

'

$13,249,000

$54,203,000

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$51,788,000

'

$0

$300,000

$300,000

$0

$1,305,000

$770,000

$0

'

$810,000

$10,016,000

$2,163,000

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans to related parties

'

530,715,000

221,884,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,383,000

67,010,000

'

115,222,000

154,874,000

'

120,110,000

0

'

195,000,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans to related parties - others, long-term

'

48,847,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

48,847,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Due to related parties

'

13,965,000

9,227,000

'

'

'

'

'

815,000

804,000

'

815,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,011,000

815,000

'

57,000

50,000

57,000

50,000

'

6,064,000

3,802,000

6,018,000

3,756,000

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term portion of loan notes receivable with related parties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,600,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued interest on loan notes receivable with related parties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Due from related parties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

51,800,000

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leasing revenues earned from related parties [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating lease income

'

'

'

'

'

24,000,000

20,700,000

21,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Direct financing lease interest income

'

55,385,000

59,214,000

97,757,000

'

55,400,000

59,200,000

97,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finance lease service revenue

'

52,390,000

64,766,000

69,992,000

'

52,400,000

64,800,000

70,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Direct financing lease repayments

'

'

'

'

'

47,400,000

52,800,000

199,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Profit sharing revenues

'

770,000

52,176,000

482,000

'

800,000

52,200,000

500,000

0

0

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

0

0

'

'

'

'

0

52,200,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Related party leasing and service contracts [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of vessels leased to related parties classified as direct financing leases

'

22

26

'

'

'

'

'

20

'

28

20

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Combined balance of net investments in direct financing leases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,016,900,000

1,217,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Combined balance of net investments in direct financing leases, short-term maturities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

45,100,000

50,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vessels and equipment, net

'

1,089,616,000

1,041,126,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

212,900,000

131,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of vessels sold

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

4

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation payment received

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

106,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Agreed temporary reduction in daily time charter rates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Profit sharing percentage of earnings from Frontline for use of fleet

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase profit sharing percentage of earnings from Frontline for use of fleet (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non-refundable advance relating to the profit sharing agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Required balance in profit sharing advance before future income can be recognized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Profit share accrued towards reduction in profit sharing advance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period of temporary reduction in daily time charter rates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum daily amount to which temporary earnings-related 100% payment applies

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation payable (receivable) for early contract termination of charter

40,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,800,000

-2,100,000

-11,700,000

-37,300,000

-30,400,000

67,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation received on termination of charters, cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation received on termination of charters, notes receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

56,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of lease/charter (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'8 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes receivable, related parties

'

79,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of vessels leased to related parties classified as operating leases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Daily vessel management fee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,500

150

'

'

Number of container vessels operating on time charter, for which part or all management supervision was sub-contracted to a related party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of drybulk carriers operating on time charter, for which part or all management supervision was sub-contracted to a related party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of crude oil tankers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of car carriers operating on time charter, for which part or all management supervision was sub-contracted to a related party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management fees paid, vessels

'

54,916,000

66,455,000

71,283,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

54,200,000

65,900,000

71,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

710,000

534,000

207,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commission percentage paid for sales-type leases of Suezmax tankers (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commissions paid for sales-type leases on Suezmax tankers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

100,000

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management fees to be paid to related parties, percentage of charter revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

'

'

Administrative expenses - related parties

'

439,000

471,000

504,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

500,000

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management fees paid, supervision of newbuildings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,400,000

2,100,000

3,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management fees paid, provision of office facilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

160,000

195,000

115,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

311,000

409,000

503,000

'

'

0

15,000

40,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Related party loans [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans advanced to related parties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

145,000,000

'

'

145,000,000

290,000,000

'

145,000,000

'

'

195,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest income, related party loans

'

19,575,000

19,575,000

19,575,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,600,000

'

'

'

6,500,000

6,500,000

6,500,000

9,600,000

13,100,000

13,100,000

3,500,000

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of jack-up drilling rig

'

'

'

'

600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset purchased and leased back, term of lease (in excess of 15 years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

Number of purchase options, related party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

Related party purchases and sales of vessels [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of vessels to related parties

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

133,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on disposal of investment in equity method investee

'

$0

$0

$4,064,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4,100,000

$4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Details

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 07, 2010

Oct. 31, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 1 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 2 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 3 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 4 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 5 [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 7 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 7 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 8 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 9 [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract Two [Member]

Cross Currency Interest Rate Contract Two [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 11 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 12 [Member]

NOK 500 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2014 [Member]

NOK 600 million senior unsecured floating rate bonds due 2017 [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

NOK

NOK

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

NOK

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

NOK

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

NOK

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

600,000,000

Financial instruments (short-term): at fair value

5,705,000

0

2,279,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,358,000

'

0

68,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Fair value [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities

56,490,000

85,881,000

44,006,000

84,044,000

3,183,000

1,426,000

'

'

'

'

'

8,915,000

'

411,000

386,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

16,633,000

3,411,000

6,565,000

4,000

10,068,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

3,275,000

0

132,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate swaps [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Inception date

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Mar-10

31-Mar-08

30-Apr-11

31-May-11

31-Aug-11

31-Oct-10

[1]

31-Oct-10

[1]

'

'

'

30-Apr-06

30-Apr-06

31-May-12

30-Sep-12

31-Oct-12

[1]

31-Oct-12

[1]

28-Feb-13

31-Mar-13

'

'

Maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Mar-15

31-Aug-18

31-Dec-18

31-Jan-19

31-Aug-21

30-Apr-14

[1]

30-Apr-14

[1]

'

'

'

31-May-19

31-May-19

31-Aug-22

30-Sep-14

31-Oct-17

[1]

31-Oct-17

[1]

31-Dec-17

30-Apr-23

'

'

Notional principal

1,188,000,000

1,033,000,000

'

'

'

'

213,158,000

36,972,000

41,956,000

62,535,000

100,000,000

76,136,000

[1]

450,000,000

[1]

'

'

'

174,789,000

'

154,100,000

73,938,000

105,436,000

[1]

600,000,000

[1]

48,767,000

100,000,000

'

'

Notional principal, at maturity

'

'

'

'

'

'

$122,632,000

$24,794,000

$23,394,000

$34,044,000

$100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

153,804,000,000

$79,733,000

$69,713,000

'

'

$32,142,000

$100,000,000

'

'

Fixed Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.32%

[1]

5.32%

[1]

'

'

'

6.00%

6.00%

'

4.85%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed interest rate range, low end (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.96%

4.05%

2.13%

0.80%

2.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.76%

'

5.92%

[1]

5.92%

[1]

0.81%

1.85%

'

'

Fixed interest rate range, high end (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.22%

4.15%

2.80%

2.58%

2.93%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.85%

'

6.23%

[1]

6.23%

[1]

0.82%

1.97%

'

'

[1]

These swaps relate to the NOK500 million and NOK600 million unsecured bonds, and the fixed interest rates paid are exchanged for NIBOR plus the margin on the bonds. For the remaining swaps the fixed interest rate paid is exchanged for LIBOR, excluding margin on the underlying loans.

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Fair_Val

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Fair Value and Carrying Value) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Non-derivatives:	'	'
Available for sale securities	$76,925,000	$55,661,000
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014	72,032,000	78,891,000
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017	93,752,000	106,902,000
8.5% Senior Notes due 2013	'	248,542,000
Derivatives:	'	'
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term receivables	16,633,000	3,411,000
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables	56,490,000	85,881,000
Long term payables, non-designated swap contracts	3,600,000	1,400,000
Long term receivables, non-designated swap contracts	10,100,000	100,000
Carrying Value [Member]	'	'
Non-derivatives:	'	'
Available for sale securities	76,925,000	55,661,000
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014	71,854,000	78,505,000
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017	92,483,000	107,910,000
8.5% Senior Notes due 2013	0	247,766,000
Derivatives:	'	'
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term receivables	16,633,000	3,411,000
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – short-term payables	5,705,000	0
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables	56,490,000	85,881,000
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Non-derivatives:	'	'
Available for sale securities	76,925,000	55,661,000
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014	72,032,000	78,891,000
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017	93,752,000	106,902,000
8.5% Senior Notes due 2013	0	248,542,000
Derivatives:	'	'
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term receivables	16,633,000	3,411,000
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – short-term payables	5,705,000	0
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables	56,490,000	85,881,000
3.75% Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2016 [Member]	'	'
Non-derivatives:	'	'
Unsecured convertible bonds	130,589,000	118,513,000
3.75% Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2016 [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]	'	'
Non-derivatives:	'	'
Unsecured convertible bonds	125,000,000	125,000,000
3.75% Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2016 [Member] | Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Non-derivatives:	'	'
Unsecured convertible bonds	130,589,000	118,513,000
Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Non-derivatives:	'	'
Unsecured convertible bonds	359,307,000	'
Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]	'	'
Non-derivatives:	'	'
Unsecured convertible bonds	350,000,000	0
Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member] | Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Non-derivatives:	'	'
Unsecured convertible bonds	359,307,000	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives:	'	'
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – short-term payables	$68,000	$0

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_Fair_Val1

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Fair Value Hierarchy) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Available for sale securities	$76,925	$55,661
Interest rate/currency swap contracts - long term receivables	16,633	3,411
Total assets	93,558	59,072
Liabilities:	'	'
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014	72,032	78,891
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017	93,752	106,902
8.5% Senior Notes due 2013	'	248,542
Swap Contracts, Short Term Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	5,705	'
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables	56,490	85,881
Total liabilities	717,875	638,729
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Recurring Basis [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Available for sale securities	56,379	37,882
Total assets	56,379	37,882
Liabilities:	'	'
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2014	72,032	78,891
Floating rate NOK bonds due 2017	93,752	106,902
8.5% Senior Notes due 2013	'	248,542
Total liabilities	655,680	552,848
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Recurring Basis [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Interest rate/currency swap contracts - long term receivables	16,633	3,411
Total assets	16,633	3,411
Liabilities:	'	'
Swap Contracts, Short Term Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	5,705	'
Interest rate/ currency swap contracts – long-term payables	56,490	85,881
Total liabilities	62,195	85,881
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Recurring Basis [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Available for sale securities	20,546	17,779
Total assets	20,546	17,779
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	0	0
3.75% Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2016 [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Unsecured convertible bonds	130,589	118,513
3.75% Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2016 [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Recurring Basis [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Unsecured convertible bonds	130,589	118,513
Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Unsecured convertible bonds	359,307	'
Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Recurring Basis [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Unsecured convertible bonds	$359,307	'

FINANCIAL_INSTRUMENTS_FINANCIA

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Changes in the fair values of the asset with Level 3 valuation) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 15, 2003	Feb. 10, 2011	Jan. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Interest Income [Member]	8.5% Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]	3.75% Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2016 [Member]	US dollar 350 Million Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds Due 2018 [Member]	Sales Revenue, Net [Member]	Sales Revenue, Net [Member]	Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
			Recurring Basis [Member]	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]				Customer Concentration Risk [Member]	Customer Concentration Risk [Member]	Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
				Recurring Basis [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance as at December 31, 2012	$76,925	$55,661	$17,779	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income, receivable in form of unlisted second lien loan notes - see (a) below	'	'	2,767	2,767	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance as at December 31, 2013	$76,925	$55,661	$20,546	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stated interest rate	'	'	'	'	8.50%	3.75%	3.25%	'	'	'
Concentration risk, percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	38.00%	54.00%	56.00%

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENT_LIA2

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014
			SFL West Polaris and SFL Deepwater [Member]	Corte Real [Member]	SFL Linus [Member]	SFL Linus [Member]	Financial Guarantee [Member]	SFL Linus [Member]	Jack Up Drilling Rig [Member]	Scenario, Forecast [Member]
							SFL West Polaris and SFL Deepwater [Member]		SFL Linus [Member]	SFL Linus [Member]
										Financial Guarantee [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Book value of assets pledged under ship mortgages	$1,994,000,000	$2,240,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, amount drawn	'	'	1,131,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Guarantee on loan facility	'	'	'	'	'	'	280,000,000	'	'	90,000,000
Term loan facility, principal amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	475,000,000	'	'
Amount of loan to unrelated third party guaranteed	'	'	'	48,100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Contractual commitments under newbuilding contracts	'	'	'	'	$794,800,000	$189,600,000	'	'	$405,000,000	'

CONSOLIDATED_VARIABLE_INTEREST1

CONSOLIDATED VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	variable_interest_entities
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Number of variable interest entities	9	'
Estimated residual values of leased property (un-guaranteed)	$278,152,000	$328,865,000
Variable Interest Entities With Assets Accounted for as Direct Financing Leases [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Number of variable interest entities	2	'
Carrying value of vessels	74,000,000	'
Unearned lease income	21,000,000	'
Estimated residual values of leased property (un-guaranteed)	21,700,000	'
Outstanding loan balance	39,100,000	'
Outstanding loan balance, current portion	6,400,000	'
Variable Interest Entities With Assets Accounted for as Operating Lease Assets [Member]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Number of variable interest entities	7	'
Carrying value of vessels	273,500,000	'
Outstanding loan balance	147,100,000	'
Outstanding loan balance, current portion	$86,500,000	'

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details)	0 Months Ended				1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Feb. 27, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
	Subsequent Event [Member]	NOK 900 Million Senior Unsecured Bonds [Member]	NOK 900 Million Senior Unsecured Bonds [Member]	SFL Linus [Member]	SFL Linus [Member]	Positive Outcome of Litigation [Member]	8700 TEU Container Vessel [Member]	4100 TEU Container Vessel [Member]	5800 TEU Container Vessel [Member]	US Dollar 70 Million Secured Term Loan Facility [Member]	US Dollar 70 Million Secured Term Loan Facility [Member]
	USD ($)	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	USD ($)	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
		USD ($)	NOK			USD ($)	vessel	vessel	vessel	USD ($)	USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Term of lease or charter (in excess of 15 years)	'	'	'	'	'15 years	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repayments of short-term debt	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$70,000,000	'
Debt amount	'	150,000,000	900,000,000	475,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	70,000,000
Dividend declared	$0.40	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected gain on settlement	'	'	'	'	'	$25,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Term of time charter	'	'	'	'	'	'	'7 years	'	'	'	'
Number of container vessel acquired	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7	2	'	'
Number of vessels delivered	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'	'
Number of vessels scheduled to be delivered	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	6	'	'	'