Kirby (KEX) 10-Q 8 Nov 21 2021 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Nov. 05, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	KIRBY CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000056047
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-7615
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-1884980
Entity Address, Address Line One	55 Waugh Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1000
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77007
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	435-1000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	KEX
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		60,111,000

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 54,377	$ 80,338
Accounts receivable:
Trade - less allowance for doubtful accounts	389,579	315,283
Other	150,811	284,899
Inventories - net	308,820	309,675
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	75,004	57,776
Total current assets	978,591	1,047,971
Property and equipment	5,385,478	5,615,400
Accumulated depreciation	(1,680,231)	(1,698,330)
Property and equipment - net	3,705,247	3,917,070
Operating lease right-of-use assets	159,627	174,317
Goodwill	438,748	657,800
Other intangibles, net	62,233	68,979
Other assets	45,436	58,037
Total assets	5,389,882	5,924,174
Current liabilities:
Bank notes payable	1,983	40
Income taxes payable	499	474
Accounts payable	181,313	162,507
Accrued liabilities	228,375	224,855
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	32,813	32,750
Deferred revenues	67,214	45,406
Total current liabilities	512,197	466,032
Long-term debt, net - less current portion	1,206,193	1,468,546
Deferred income taxes	552,913	606,844
Operating lease liabilities - less current portion	152,615	163,496
Other long-term liabilities	119,740	131,703
Total long-term liabilities	2,031,461	2,370,589
Contingencies and commitments
Kirby stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value per share. Authorized 120,000,000 shares, issued 65,472,000 shares	6,547	6,547
Additional paid-in capital	851,587	844,979
Accumulated other comprehensive income - net	(54,663)	(61,452)
Retained earnings	2,335,478	2,593,393
Treasury stock - at cost, 5,361,000 shares at September 30, 2021 and 5,434,000 at December 31, 2020	(295,203)	(299,161)
Total Kirby stockholders' equity	2,843,746	3,084,306
Noncontrolling interests	2,478	3,247
Total equity	2,846,224	3,087,553
Total liabilities and equity	$ 5,389,882	$ 5,924,174

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Paren

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Kirby stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	65,472,000	65,472,000
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	5,361,000	5,434,000

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNING

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 598,920	$ 496,567	$ 1,655,394	$ 1,681,652
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales and operating expenses	446,519	340,764	1,219,038	1,167,871
Selling, general and administrative	66,065	61,720	198,434	199,412
Taxes, other than on income	9,917	9,077	28,541	33,548
Depreciation and amortization	53,462	54,779	163,484	165,067
Impairments and other charges	340,713	0	340,713	561,274
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(830)	316	(5,082)	(13)
Total costs and expenses	915,846	466,656	1,945,128	2,127,185
Operating income (loss)	(316,926)	29,911	(289,734)	(445,533)
Other income	1,832	1,172	8,146	6,185
Interest expense	(10,500)	(11,809)	(32,172)	(37,316)
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	(325,594)	19,274	(313,760)	(476,664)
Benefit for taxes on income	60,442	8,419	55,840	182,657
Net earnings (loss)	(265,152)	27,693	(257,920)	(294,007)
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	422	(204)	5	(743)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ (264,730)	$ 27,489	$ (257,915)	$ (294,750)
Net earning (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (4.41)	$ 0.46	$ (4.30)	$ (4.92)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (4.41)	$ 0.46	$ (4.30)	$ (4.92)
Marine Transportation [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 338,514	$ 320,602	$ 972,352	$ 1,104,846
Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 260,406	$ 175,965	$ 683,042	$ 576,806

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREH

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	$ (265,152)	$ 27,693	$ (257,920)	$ (294,007)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Pension and postretirement benefits	3,142	(4,279)	7,494	(6,674)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(122)	(239)	(705)	(1,162)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	3,020	(4,518)	6,789	(7,836)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(262,132)	23,175	(251,131)	(301,843)
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	422	(204)	5	(743)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ (261,710)	$ 22,971	$ (251,126)	$ (302,586)

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FL

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (257,920)	$ (294,007)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operations
Depreciation and amortization	163,484	165,067
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes	(56,448)	5,382
Impairments and other charges	340,713	561,274
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	12,793	12,066
Amortization of major maintenance costs	26,189	21,857
Other	(6,290)	3,523
Increase (decrease) in cash flows resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	57,841	(115,399)
Net cash provided by operating activities	280,362	359,763
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(71,968)	(129,371)
Acquisitions of businesses and marine equipment	(7,470)	(348,772)
Proceeds from disposition of assets	39,163	6,538
Net cash used in investing activities	(40,275)	(471,605)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings (payments) on bank credit facilities, net	(248,057)	360,139
Payments on long-term debt	(15,000)	(150,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	629	353
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation	(2,856)	(3,193)
Return of investment to noncontrolling interest	(764)	(608)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(266,048)	206,691
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(25,961)	94,849
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	80,338	24,737
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	54,377	119,586
Cash paid (received) during the period:
Interest paid	39,134	45,776
Income taxes refunded, net	(116,010)	(36,499)
Operating cash outflow from operating leases	33,575	32,507
Non-cash investing activity:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	(13,549)	11,441
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations	$ 18,117	$ 42,470

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHO

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 3,371,592	$ 6,547	$ 835,899	$ (37,799)	$ 2,865,939	$ (301,963)	$ 2,969
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		65,472				(5,513)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock option exercises	353		26	0	0	$ 327	0
Stock option exercises (in shares)						15
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures	0		(5,690)	0	0	$ 5,690	0
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)						103
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting	(3,193)					$ (3,193)	0
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting (in shares)						(39)
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	12,066		12,066	0	0	$ 0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(301,843)			(7,836)	(294,750)	0	743
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	(608)						(608)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	3,078,367	$ 6,547	842,301	(45,635)	2,571,189	$ (299,139)	3,104
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020		65,472				(5,434)
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2020	3,051,984	$ 6,547	838,874	(41,117)	2,543,700	$ (299,124)	3,104
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020		65,472				(5,434)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures			13	0	0	$ (13)	0
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)						0
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting	(2)					$ (2)
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting (in shares)						0
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	3,414		3,414	0	0	$ 0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	23,175			(4,518)	27,489	0	204
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	(204)						(204)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	3,078,367	$ 6,547	842,301	(45,635)	2,571,189	$ (299,139)	3,104
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020		65,472				(5,434)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	3,087,553	$ 6,547	844,979	(61,452)	2,593,393	$ (299,161)	3,247
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020		65,472				(5,434)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock option exercises	629		21	0	0	$ 608	0
Stock option exercises (in shares)						12
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures			(6,206)	0	0	$ 6,206	0
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)						113
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting	(2,856)					$ (2,856)	0
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting (in shares)						(52)
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	12,793		12,793
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(251,131)			6,789	(257,915)		(5)
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	(764)						(764)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2021	2,846,224	$ 6,547	851,587	(54,663)	2,335,478	$ (295,203)	2,478
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2021		65,472				(5,361)
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2021	3,105,329	$ 6,547	848,081	(57,683)	2,600,208	$ (295,463)	3,639
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021		65,472				(5,366)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock option exercises	124		(9)	0	0	$ 133	0
Stock option exercises (in shares)						2
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures			(130)	0	0	$ 130	0
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)						3
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting	(3)					$ (3)	0
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting (in shares)						0
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	3,645		3,645	0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(262,132)			3,020	(264,730)		(422)
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	(739)						(739)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 2,846,224	$ 6,547	$ 851,587	$ (54,663)	$ 2,335,478	$ (295,203)	$ 2,478
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2021		65,472				(5,361)

Basis for Preparation of the Co

Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements	(1) Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements The condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared by Kirby Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and footnote disclosures, including significant accounting policies normally included in annual financial statements, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Certain reclassifications have been made to reflect the current presentation of financial information. Accounting Standard Adoption In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”) which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, Income Taxes. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2021. There was no material impact on the Company’s financial statements or disclosures upon adoption of ASU 2019-12.

Acquisition

Acquisition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	(2) Acquisition During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 , the Company purchased four inland tank barges from a leasing company for $ 7,470,000 in cash. The Company had been leasing the barges prior to the purchase.

Revenues

Revenues	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	(3) Revenues The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues by major source (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Marine transportation segment: Inland transportation $ 255,791 $ 247,647 $ 733,830 $ 869,224 Coastal transportation 82,723 72,955 238,522 235,622 $ 338,514 $ 320,602 $ 972,352 $ 1,104,846 Distribution and services segment: Commercial and industrial $ 153,056 $ 127,224 $ 426,930 $ 418,763 Oil and gas 107,350 48,741 256,112 158,043 $ 260,406 $ 175,965 $ 683,042 $ 576,806 Contract liabilities represent advance consideration received from customers, and are recognized as revenue over time as the related performance obligation is satisfied. Revenues recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 that were included in the opening contract liability balances were $ 40,315,000 and $ 37,153,000 , respectively. The Company presents all contract liabilities within the deferred revenues financial statement caption on the balance sheets. The Company did not have any contract assets at September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020 . The Company applies the practical expedient that allows non-disclosure of information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.

Segment Data

Segment Data	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Segment Data [Abstract]
Segment Data	(4) Segment Data The Company’s operations are aggregated into two reportable business segments as follows: Marine Transportation — Provides marine transportation by United States flagged vessels principally of liquid cargoes throughout the United States inland waterway system, along all three United States coasts, in Alaska and Hawaii and, to a lesser extent, in United States coastal transportation of dry-bulk cargoes. The principal products transported include petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals. Distribution and Services — Provides after-market services and parts for engines, transmissions, reduction gears and related equipment used in oilfield service, marine, power generation, on-highway, and other industrial applications. The Company also rents equipment including generators, industrial compressors, railcar movers, and high capacity lift trucks for use in a variety of industrial markets, and manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, for land-based oilfield service customers. The Company’s two reportable business segments are managed separately based on fundamental differences in their operations. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on the contributions to operating income of the respective segments, before income taxes, interest, gains or losses on disposition of assets, other nonoperating income, noncontrolling interests, accounting changes, and nonrecurring items. Intersegment revenues, based on market-based pricing, of the distribution and services segment from the marine transportation segment of $ 5,436,000 and $ 17,593,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and $ 6,768,000 and $ 23,115,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as well as the related intersegment profit of $ 543,000 and $ 1,759,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and $ 676,000 and $ 2,311,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, have been eliminated from the tables below. The following tables set forth the Company’s revenues and profit or loss by reportable segment and total assets (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenues: Marine transportation $ 338,514 $ 320,602 $ 972,352 $ 1,104,846 Distribution and services 260,406 175,965 683,042 576,806 $ 598,920 $ 496,567 $ 1,655,394 $ 1,681,652 Segment profit (loss): Marine transportation $ 16,915 $ 32,391 $ 37,333 $ 134,482 Distribution and services 11,039 1,104 20,106 ( 9,325 ) Other ( 353,548 ) ( 14,221 ) ( 371,199 ) ( 601,821 ) $ ( 325,594 ) $ 19,274 $ ( 313,760 ) $ ( 476,664 ) September 30, December 31, Total assets: Marine transportation $ 4,320,452 $ 4,760,449 Distribution and services 857,132 805,831 Other 212,298 357,894 $ 5,389,882 $ 5,924,174 The following table presents the details of “Other” segment loss (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 General corporate expenses $ ( 4,997 ) $ ( 3,268 ) $ ( 11,542 ) $ ( 9,403 ) Gain (loss) on disposition of assets 830 ( 316 ) 5,082 ( 13 ) Impairments and other charges ( 340,713 ) — ( 340,713 ) ( 561,274 ) Interest expense ( 10,500 ) ( 11,809 ) ( 32,172 ) ( 37,316 ) Other income 1,832 1,172 8,146 6,185 $ ( 353,548 ) $ ( 14,221 ) $ ( 371,199 ) $ ( 601,821 ) The following table presents the details of “Other” total assets (in thousands): September 30, December 31, General corporate assets $ 210,311 $ 355,205 Investment in affiliates 1,987 2,689 $ 212,298 $ 357,894

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	(5) Long-Term Debt The following table presents the carrying value and fair value (determined using inputs characteristic of a Level 2 fair value measurement) of debt outstanding (in thousands): September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Revolving Credit Facility due March 27, 2024 (a) $ — $ — $ 250,000 $ 250,000 Term Loan due March 27, 2024 (a) 360,000 360,000 375,000 375,000 3.29 % senior notes due February 27, 2023 350,000 357,848 350,000 364,538 4.2 % senior notes due March 1, 2028 500,000 548,893 500,000 581,115 Credit line due June 30, 2022 — — — — Bank notes payable 1,983 1,983 40 40 1,211,983 1,268,724 1,475,040 1,570,693 Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs (b) ( 3,807 ) — ( 6,454 ) — $ 1,208,176 $ 1,268,724 $ 1,468,586 $ 1,570,693 (a) Variable interest rate of 1.5 % at both September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. (b) Excludes $ 1,559,000 attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility included in other assets at September 30, 2021 . The following table presents borrowings and payments under the bank credit facilities (in thousands): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Borrowings on bank credit facilities $ 4,795 $ 582,212 Payments on bank credit facilities ( 252,852 ) ( 222,073 ) $ ( 248,057 ) $ 360,139 The Company has an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a group of commercial banks, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the administrative agent bank, allowing for an $ 850,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) and an unsecured term loan (“Term Loan”) with a maturity date of March 27, 2024 . The Term Loan is due on March 27, 2024 and is prepayable, in whole or in part, without penalty. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 , the Company repaid $ 15,000,000 under the Term Loa n. During October 2021, the Company repaid $ 20,000,000 under the Term Loan. Outstanding letters of credit under the Revolv ing Credit Facility were $ 5,063,000 and available borrowing capacity was $ 844,937,000 as of September 30, 2021. Outstanding letters of credit under the $ 10,000,000 credit line were $ 1,299,000 and available borrowing capacity was $ 8,701,000 as of September 30, 2021 .

Leases

Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	(6) Leases The Company currently leases various facilities and equipment under cancelable and noncancelable operating leases. The accounting for the Company’s leases may require judgments, which include determining whether a contract contains a lease, allocating between lease and non-lease components, and determining the incremental borrowing rates. Leases with an initial noncancelable term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has also elected to combine lease and non-lease components on all classes of leased assets, except for leased towing vessels, for which the Company estimates approximately 70 % of the costs relate to service costs and other non-lease components. Variable lease costs relate primarily to real estate executory costs (i.e. taxes, insurance and maintenance). Future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year were as follows (in thousands): September 30, December 31, 2021 $ 10,258 $ 40,224 2022 37,765 33,543 2023 32,566 28,012 2024 25,804 23,578 2025 22,394 21,261 Thereafter 100,946 96,491 Total lease payments 229,733 243,109 Less: imputed interest ( 44,305 ) ( 46,863 ) Operating lease liabilities $ 185,428 $ 196,246 The following table summarizes lease costs (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Operating lease cost $ 10,361 $ 11,553 $ 31,433 $ 32,467 Variable lease cost 467 485 1,382 1,081 Short-term lease cost 3,534 4,645 10,602 17,998 Sublease income ( 217 ) ( 418 ) ( 797 ) ( 792 ) $ 14,145 $ 16,265 $ 42,620 $ 50,754 The following table summarizes other supplemental information about the Company’s operating leases: September 30, December 31, Weighted average discount rate 4.0 % 4.1 % Weighted average remaining lease term 9 years 10 years

Impairments and Other Charges

Impairments and Other Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Impairments and Other Charges [Abstract]
Impairments and Other Charges	(7) Impairments and Other Charges During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company decided to exit the Hawaii market, selling marine transportation equipment including four coastal tank barges, seven coastal tugboats, and certain other assets for aggregate cash proceeds of $ 17,200,000 . In addition, as of September 30, 2021, the Company has retired and classified as held for sale, an additional 12 coastal tank barges and four coastal tugboats which were underutilized. The sales and retirements of coastal marine transportation equipment resulted in an aggregate non‑cash impairment charge of $ 97,508,000 to reduce the carrying value of these assets to their estimated sales prices, net of costs to sell. As a result of the sale of the Hawaii marine transportation equipment, and the decision to retire certain additional underutilized coastal tank barges and tugboats, the Company concluded that a triggering event had occurred and performed interim quantitative impairment tests as of September 30, 2021 for certain of the marine transportation segment's long-lived assets and goodwill within the coastal marine market. The Company determined the estimated fair value of such long-lived assets using a combination of a cost approach, a discounted cash flow analysis, and a market approach. The Company determined the estimated fair value of the reporting unit using a combination of a discounted cash flow analysis and a market approach for comparable companies. These analyses included management’s judgment regarding short-term and long-term internal forecasts, updated for recent events, appropriate discount rates, and capital expenditures using inputs characteristic of a Level 3 fair value measurement. In performing the impairment test of certain long-lived assets within the marine transportation segment, the Company determined that the carrying value of certain long-lived assets, including certain coastal marine transportation equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets, were no longer recoverable, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $ 24,152,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2021 to reduce such long-lived assets to fair value. Based upon the results of the goodwill impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying value of one reporting unit in the marine transportation segment exceeded its estimated fair value. The carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, and after recording impairments of long-lived assets identified above, exceeded its estimated fair value, resulting in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $ 219,052,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill during 2021 (in thousands): Marine Transportation Distribution and Services Total Balance at December 31, 2020 (gross) $ 505,784 $ 560,155 $ 1,065,939 Accumulated impairment and amortization ( 18,574 ) ( 389,565 ) ( 408,139 ) Balance at December 31, 2020 487,210 170,590 657,800 Impairment ( 219,052 ) — ( 219,052 ) Balance at September 30, 2021 505,784 560,155 1,065,939 Accumulated impairment and amortization ( 237,626 ) ( 389,565 ) ( 627,191 ) Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 268,158 $ 170,590 $ 438,748 During the first quarter of 2020, Kirby’s market capitalization declined significantly compared to the 2019 fourth quarter. Over the same period, the overall United States stock market also declined significantly amid market volatility. In addition, as a result of uncertainty surrounding the outbreak of COVID-19 and a sharp decline in oil prices during the 2020 first quarter, many of the Company’s oil and gas customers responded by quickly cutting 2020 capital spending budgets and activity levels quickly declined. Lower activity levels resulted in a decline in drilling activity, resulting in lower demand for new and remanufactured oilfield equipment and related parts and service in the distribution and services segment. As a result, the Company concluded that a triggering event had occurred and performed interim quantitative impairment tests as of March 31, 2020 for certain of the distribution and services segment’s long-lived assets and goodwill. In performing the impairment test of long-lived assets within the distribution and services segment, the Company determined that the carrying value of certain long-lived assets, including property and equipment as well as intangible assets associated with customer relationships, tradenames, and distributorships, were no longer recoverable, resulting in an impairment charge of $ 165,304,000 (including $ 148,909,000 impairment of intangible assets other than goodwill and $ 16,395,000 impairment of property and equipment) to reduce such long-lived assets to fair value during the three months ended March 31, 2020. Based upon the results of the goodwill impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying value of one reporting unit in the distribution and services segment exceeded its estimated fair value. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the goodwill impairment charge of $ 387,970,000 was calculated as the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, and after recording impairments of long-lived assets identified above, exceeded its estimated fair value, incorporating all tax impacts caused by the recognition of the impairment loss. In addition, the Company determined cost exceeded net realizable value for certain oilfield and pressure pumping related inventory, resulting in an $ 8,000,000 non-cash write-down during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Stock Award Plans

Stock Award Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]
Stock Award Plans	(8) Stock Award Plans The compensation cost that has been charged against earnings for the Company’s stock award plans and the income tax benefit recognized in the statement of earnings for stock awards were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Compensation cost $ 3,645 $ 3,414 $ 12,793 $ 12,066 Income tax benefit $ 1,068 $ 1,181 $ 3,660 $ 3,332 On March 1, 2021, subject to stockholder approval, the Board of Directors approved amendments to the Company’s 2005 Stock and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to, among other things, add 1,400,000 shares of availability. The amendment to the Plan was subsequently approved at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 27, 2021. At September 30, 2021, there wer e 2,228,857 shares available for future grants under the Plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company grante d 311,016 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to selected officers and other key employees under the Plan, the majority of which vest ratably over five years . During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 , the Company granted 29,773 sh ares of restricted stock to nonemployee directors of the Company under the director stock award plan. The restricted stock vests six months after the date of grant except that restricted stock granted in lieu of cash director fees vests in equal quarterly increments through March 31, 2022.

Taxes on Income

Taxes on Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Taxes on Income [Abstract]
Taxes on Income	(9) Taxes on Income On March 27, 2020, the United States Congress passed and the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) into law to address the COVID-19 pandemic. One provision of the CARES Act allowed net operating losses generated in 2018 through 2020 to be carried back up to five years . Pursuant to this provision of the CARES Act, the Company recorded a net federal current benefit for taxes on income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 due to carrying back net operating losses generated between 2018 and 2020 used to offset taxable income generated between 2013 and 2017. Net operating losses carried back to tax years 2013 through 2017 were applied at a federal tax rate of 35 % applicable to those tax years, compared to a 21 % tax rate effective at September 30, 2020. Net operating losses generated in 2018 and 2019 were used to offset taxable income generated between 2013 and 2017 taxed at 35 % resulting in a tax benefit of $ 58,746,000 . At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had a federal income tax receivable of $ 70,959,000 and $ 188,177,000 , respectively, included in Accounts Receivable – Other on the balance sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company received a tax refund of $ 119,493,000 , including accrued interest, for its 2019 federal tax return related to net operating losses being carried back to offset taxable income generated between 2014 and 2017. Earnings (loss) before taxes on income and details of the provision (benefit) for taxes on income were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Earnings (loss) before taxes on income: United States $ ( 325,369 ) $ 19,246 $ ( 313,177 ) $ ( 476,382 ) Foreign ( 225 ) 28 ( 583 ) ( 282 ) $ ( 325,594 ) $ 19,274 $ ( 313,760 ) $ ( 476,664 ) Provision (benefit) for taxes on income: Federal: Current $ ( 446 ) $ ( 33,690 ) $ ( 446 ) $ ( 189,994 ) Deferred ( 55,772 ) 23,350 ( 52,968 ) 16,056 State and local: Current 832 1,257 1,047 1,875 Deferred ( 5,056 ) 620 ( 3,480 ) ( 10,674 ) Foreign - current — 44 7 80 $ ( 60,442 ) $ ( 8,419 ) $ ( 55,840 ) $ ( 182,657 )

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	(10) Earnings Per Share The following table presents the components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby $ ( 264,730 ) $ 27,489 $ ( 257,915 ) $ ( 294,750 ) Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares — ( 57 ) — — Earnings (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders – basic ( 264,730 ) 27,432 ( 257,915 ) ( 294,750 ) Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares — 57 — — Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares — ( 57 ) — — Earnings (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders – diluted $ ( 264,730 ) $ 27,432 $ ( 257,915 ) $ ( 294,750 ) Shares outstanding: Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding 60,109 60,038 60,095 60,015 Weighted average unvested restricted stock ( 47 ) ( 123 ) ( 51 ) ( 112 ) Weighted average common stock outstanding – basic 60,062 59,915 60,044 59,903 Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units — 16 — — Weighted average common stock outstanding – diluted 60,062 59,931 60,044 59,903 Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders: Basic $ ( 4.41 ) $ 0.46 $ ( 4.30 ) $ ( 4.92 ) Diluted $ ( 4.41 ) $ 0.46 $ ( 4.30 ) $ ( 4.92 ) Certain outstanding options to purchase approximately 627,000 and 681,000 shares of common stock were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as such stock options would have been antidilutive. Certain outstanding RSUs to convert to 565,000 and 162,000 shares of common stock were also excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of September 30, 2021 and 2020 , respectively, as such RSUs would have been antidilutive.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	(11) Inventories The following table presents the details of inventories – net (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Finished goods $ 253,963 $ 255,491 Work in process 54,857 54,184 $ 308,820 $ 309,675

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	(12) Retirement Plans The Company sponsors a defined benefit plan for certain of its inland vessel personnel and shore based tankermen. The plan benefits are based on an employee’s years of service and compensation. The plan assets consist primarily of equity and fixed income securities. On April 12, 2017, the Company amended its pension plan to cease all benefit accruals for periods after May 31, 2017 for certain participants. Participants grandfathered and not impacted were those, as of the close of business on May 31, 2017, who either (a) had completed 15 years of pension service or (b) had attained age 50 and completed 10 years of pension service. Participants non-grandfathered are eligible to receive discretionary 401(k) plan contributions. The Company’s pension plan funding strategy is to make annual contributions in amounts equal to or greater than amounts necessary to meet minimum government funding requirements. The plan’s benefit obligations are based on a variety of demographic and economic assumptions, and the pension plan assets’ returns are subject to various risks, including market and interest rate risk, making an accurate prediction of the pension plan contribution difficult. Based on current pension plan assets and market conditions, the Company does not expect to make a contribution to the Kirby pension plan during 2021. On February 14, 2018, with the acquisition of Higman Marine, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Higman”), the Company assumed Higman’s pension plan for its inland vessel personnel and office staff. On March 27, 2018, the Company amended the Higman pension plan to close it to all new entrants and cease all benefit accruals for periods after May 15, 2018 for all participants. The Company made a contribution of $ 479,000 to the Higman pension plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The Company does not expect to make any additional contributions during 2021. The Company sponsors an unfunded defined benefit health care plan that provides limited postretirement medical benefits to employees who meet minimum age and service requirements, and to eligible dependents. The plan limits cost increases in the Company’s contribution to 4 % per year. The plan is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted annually. The plan eliminated coverage for future retirees as of December 31, 2011. The Company also has an unfunded defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) that was assumed in an acquisition in 1999. That plan ceased to accrue additional benefits effective January 1, 2000. The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s defined benefit plans were as follows (in thousands): Pension Benefits Pension Plans SERP Three Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 1,991 $ 1,917 $ — $ — Interest cost 3,560 3,919 8 10 Expected return on plan assets ( 6,566 ) ( 5,960 ) — — Amortization of actuarial loss 1,412 994 10 8 Net periodic benefit cost $ 397 $ 870 $ 18 $ 18 Pension Benefits Pension Plans SERP Nine Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 5,971 $ 5,753 $ — $ — Interest cost 10,679 11,758 23 30 Expected return on plan assets ( 19,699 ) ( 17,883 ) — — Amortization of actuarial loss 3,300 1,651 30 26 Net periodic benefit cost $ 251 $ 1,279 $ 53 $ 56 The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s postretirement benefit plan were as follows (in thousands): Other Postretirement Benefits Postretirement Welfare Plan Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ — $ — $ — $ — Interest cost 5 6 13 17 Amortization of actuarial gain ( 113 ) ( 131 ) ( 338 ) ( 392 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ ( 108 ) $ ( 125 ) $ ( 325 ) $ ( 375 )

Other Comprehensive Income

Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income	(13) Other Comprehensive Income The Company’s changes in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Gross Income Tax Provision Net Amount Gross Income Tax (Provision) Benefit Net Pension and postretirement benefits (a): Amortization of net actuarial loss $ 1,309 $ ( 329 ) $ 980 $ 871 $ ( 219 ) $ 652 Actuarial gains (losses) 2,891 ( 729 ) 2,162 ( 6,592 ) 1,661 ( 4,931 ) Foreign currency translation ( 122 ) — ( 122 ) ( 239 ) — ( 239 ) Total $ 4,078 $ ( 1,058 ) $ 3,020 $ ( 5,960 ) $ 1,442 $ ( 4,518 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Gross Income Tax Provision Net Amount Gross Income Tax (Provision) Benefit Net Pension and postretirement benefits (a): Amortization of net actuarial loss $ 2,992 $ ( 753 ) $ 2,239 $ 1,285 $ ( 324 ) $ 961 Actuarial gains (losses) 7,019 ( 1,764 ) 5,255 ( 10,201 ) 2,566 ( 7,635 ) Foreign currency translation ( 705 ) — ( 705 ) ( 1,162 ) — ( 1,162 ) Total $ 9,306 $ ( 2,517 ) $ 6,789 $ ( 10,078 ) $ 2,242 $ ( 7,836 ) (a) Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into other income (expense). (See Note 12, Retirement Plans)

Contingencies and Commitments

Contingencies and Commitments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Contingencies and Commitments [Abstract]
Contingencies	(14) Contingencies and Commitments On May 10, 2019, two tank barges and a towboat, the M/V Voyager, owned and operated by Kirby Inland Marine, LP (“Kirby Inland Marine”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, were struck by the LPG tanker, the Genesis River, in the Houston Ship Channel. The bow of the Genesis River penetrated the Kirby 30015T and capsized the MMI 3014. The collision penetrated the hull of the Kirby 30015T causing its cargo, reformate, to be discharged into the water. The United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) and the National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) designated the owner and pilot of the Genesis River as well as the subsidiary of the Company as parties of interest in their investigation into the cause of the incident. On June 19, 2019, the Company filed a limitation action in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas ‑ Galveston Division seeking limitation of liability and asserting that the Genesis River and her owner/manager are at fault for damages including removal costs and claims under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and maritime law. Multiple claimants have filed claims in the limitation seeking damages under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The court bifurcated the matter into two trials, the first to determine liability amongst the parties and the second to assess damages. The Company entered into a settlement agreement resolving claims of natural resource damage arising out of the spill. Under the agreement, the Company agreed to pay state and federal natural resource trustees $ 2,102,000 . The liability trial was conducted during the week of February 2, 2021. The Court issued its decision on July 8, 2021, finding that the Genesis River was solely at fault and no liability on the part of Kirby Inland Marine. No appeal was filed by the Genesis River. The Company and its insurance carriers are collecting the $ 20,206,000 judgment from the Genesis River and its interests. On October 13, 2016, the tug Nathan E. Stewart and barge DBL 55, an articulated tank barge and tugboat unit (“ATB”) owned and operated by Kirby Offshore Marine, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, ran aground at the entrance to Seaforth Channel on Atholone Island, British Columbia. The grounding resulted in a breach of a portion of the Nathan E. Stewart’s fuel tanks causing a discharge of diesel fuel into the water. The USCG and the NTSB designated the Company as a party of interest in their investigation as to the cause of the incident. The Canadian authorities including Transport Canada and the Canadian Transportation Safety Board investigated the cause of the incident. On October 10, 2018, the Heiltsuk First Nation filed a civil action in the British Columbia Supreme Court against a subsidiary of the Company, the master and pilot of the tug, the vessels and the Canadian government seeking unquantified damages as a result of the incident. On May 1, 2019, the Company filed a limitation action in the Federal Court of Canada seeking limitation of liability relating to the incident as provided under admiralty law. The Heiltsuk First Nation’s civil claim has been consolidated into the Federal Court limitation action as of July 26, 2019 and it is expected that the Federal Court of Canada will decide all claims against the Company. The Company is unable to estimate the potential exposure in the civil proceeding. The Company has various insurance policies covering liabilities including pollution, property, marine and general liability and believes that it has satisfactory insurance coverage for the cost of cleanup and salvage operations as well as other potential liabilities arising from the incident. The Company believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate for the incident and does not expect the incident to have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition. On March 22, 2014, two tank barges and a towboat, the M/V Miss Susan, owned by Kirby Inland Marine, were involved in a collision with the M/S Summer Wind on the Houston Ship Channel near Texas City, Texas. The lead tank barge was damaged in the collision resulting in a discharge of intermediate fuel oil from one of its cargo tanks. The Company is participating in the natural resource damage assessment and restoration process with federal and state government natural resource trustees. The Company believes it has adequate insurance coverage for pollution, marine and other potential liabilities arising from the incident. The Company believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate for the incident and does not expect the incident to have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition. In addition, the Company is involved in various legal and other proceedings which are incidental to the conduct of its business, none of which in the opinion of management will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Management believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate and believes that it has adequate insurance coverage or has meritorious defenses for these other claims and contingencies. The Company has issued guaranties or obtained standby letters of credit and performance bonds supporting performance by the Company and its subsidiaries of contractual or contingent legal obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business. The aggregate notional value of these instruments is $ 21,199,000 at September 30, 2021, including $ 13,847,000 in letters of credit and $ 7,352,000 in performance bonds. All of these instruments have an expiration date within two years . The Company does not believe demand for payment under these instruments is likely and expects no material cash outlays to occur regarding these instruments.

Basis for Preparation of the _2

Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements [Abstract]
Accounting Standards Adoption	Accounting Standard Adoption In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”) which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, Income Taxes. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2021. There was no material impact on the Company’s financial statements or disclosures upon adoption of ASU 2019-12.

Revenues (Tables)

Revenues (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues by Major Source	The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues by major source (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Marine transportation segment: Inland transportation $ 255,791 $ 247,647 $ 733,830 $ 869,224 Coastal transportation 82,723 72,955 238,522 235,622 $ 338,514 $ 320,602 $ 972,352 $ 1,104,846 Distribution and services segment: Commercial and industrial $ 153,056 $ 127,224 $ 426,930 $ 418,763 Oil and gas 107,350 48,741 256,112 158,043 $ 260,406 $ 175,965 $ 683,042 $ 576,806

Segment Data (Tables)

Segment Data (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Segment Data [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	The following tables set forth the Company’s revenues and profit or loss by reportable segment and total assets (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenues: Marine transportation $ 338,514 $ 320,602 $ 972,352 $ 1,104,846 Distribution and services 260,406 175,965 683,042 576,806 $ 598,920 $ 496,567 $ 1,655,394 $ 1,681,652 Segment profit (loss): Marine transportation $ 16,915 $ 32,391 $ 37,333 $ 134,482 Distribution and services 11,039 1,104 20,106 ( 9,325 ) Other ( 353,548 ) ( 14,221 ) ( 371,199 ) ( 601,821 ) $ ( 325,594 ) $ 19,274 $ ( 313,760 ) $ ( 476,664 ) September 30, December 31, Total assets: Marine transportation $ 4,320,452 $ 4,760,449 Distribution and services 857,132 805,831 Other 212,298 357,894 $ 5,389,882 $ 5,924,174
Other Segment Reporting Information	The following table presents the details of “Other” segment loss (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 General corporate expenses $ ( 4,997 ) $ ( 3,268 ) $ ( 11,542 ) $ ( 9,403 ) Gain (loss) on disposition of assets 830 ( 316 ) 5,082 ( 13 ) Impairments and other charges ( 340,713 ) — ( 340,713 ) ( 561,274 ) Interest expense ( 10,500 ) ( 11,809 ) ( 32,172 ) ( 37,316 ) Other income 1,832 1,172 8,146 6,185 $ ( 353,548 ) $ ( 14,221 ) $ ( 371,199 ) $ ( 601,821 ) The following table presents the details of “Other” total assets (in thousands): September 30, December 31, General corporate assets $ 210,311 $ 355,205 Investment in affiliates 1,987 2,689 $ 212,298 $ 357,894

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Carrying Values and Fair Values of Debt Outstanding	The following table presents the carrying value and fair value (determined using inputs characteristic of a Level 2 fair value measurement) of debt outstanding (in thousands): September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Revolving Credit Facility due March 27, 2024 (a) $ — $ — $ 250,000 $ 250,000 Term Loan due March 27, 2024 (a) 360,000 360,000 375,000 375,000 3.29 % senior notes due February 27, 2023 350,000 357,848 350,000 364,538 4.2 % senior notes due March 1, 2028 500,000 548,893 500,000 581,115 Credit line due June 30, 2022 — — — — Bank notes payable 1,983 1,983 40 40 1,211,983 1,268,724 1,475,040 1,570,693 Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs (b) ( 3,807 ) — ( 6,454 ) — $ 1,208,176 $ 1,268,724 $ 1,468,586 $ 1,570,693 (a) Variable interest rate of 1.5 % at both September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. (b) Excludes $ 1,559,000 attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility included in other assets at September 30, 2021 .
Borrowings and Payments Under the Bank Credit Facilities	The following table presents borrowings and payments under the bank credit facilities (in thousands): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Borrowings on bank credit facilities $ 4,795 $ 582,212 Payments on bank credit facilities ( 252,852 ) ( 222,073 ) $ ( 248,057 ) $ 360,139

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Leases	Future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year were as follows (in thousands): September 30, December 31, 2021 $ 10,258 $ 40,224 2022 37,765 33,543 2023 32,566 28,012 2024 25,804 23,578 2025 22,394 21,261 Thereafter 100,946 96,491 Total lease payments 229,733 243,109 Less: imputed interest ( 44,305 ) ( 46,863 ) Operating lease liabilities $ 185,428 $ 196,246
Lease Cost	The following table summarizes lease costs (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Operating lease cost $ 10,361 $ 11,553 $ 31,433 $ 32,467 Variable lease cost 467 485 1,382 1,081 Short-term lease cost 3,534 4,645 10,602 17,998 Sublease income ( 217 ) ( 418 ) ( 797 ) ( 792 ) $ 14,145 $ 16,265 $ 42,620 $ 50,754
Operating Leases, Weighted Average Discount Rate and Remaining Lease Term	The following table summarizes other supplemental information about the Company’s operating leases: September 30, December 31, Weighted average discount rate 4.0 % 4.1 % Weighted average remaining lease term 9 years 10 years

Impairments and Other Charges (

Impairments and Other Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Impairments and Other Charges [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Goodwill	The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill during 2021 (in thousands): Marine Transportation Distribution and Services Total Balance at December 31, 2020 (gross) $ 505,784 $ 560,155 $ 1,065,939 Accumulated impairment and amortization ( 18,574 ) ( 389,565 ) ( 408,139 ) Balance at December 31, 2020 487,210 170,590 657,800 Impairment ( 219,052 ) — ( 219,052 ) Balance at September 30, 2021 505,784 560,155 1,065,939 Accumulated impairment and amortization ( 237,626 ) ( 389,565 ) ( 627,191 ) Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 268,158 $ 170,590 $ 438,748

Stock Award Plans (Tables)

Stock Award Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]
Compensation Cost Breakdown in Statement of Earnings	The compensation cost that has been charged against earnings for the Company’s stock award plans and the income tax benefit recognized in the statement of earnings for stock awards were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Compensation cost $ 3,645 $ 3,414 $ 12,793 $ 12,066 Income tax benefit $ 1,068 $ 1,181 $ 3,660 $ 3,332

Taxes on Income (Tables)

Taxes on Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Taxes on Income [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes	Earnings (loss) before taxes on income and details of the provision (benefit) for taxes on income were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Earnings (loss) before taxes on income: United States $ ( 325,369 ) $ 19,246 $ ( 313,177 ) $ ( 476,382 ) Foreign ( 225 ) 28 ( 583 ) ( 282 ) $ ( 325,594 ) $ 19,274 $ ( 313,760 ) $ ( 476,664 ) Provision (benefit) for taxes on income: Federal: Current $ ( 446 ) $ ( 33,690 ) $ ( 446 ) $ ( 189,994 ) Deferred ( 55,772 ) 23,350 ( 52,968 ) 16,056 State and local: Current 832 1,257 1,047 1,875 Deferred ( 5,056 ) 620 ( 3,480 ) ( 10,674 ) Foreign - current — 44 7 80 $ ( 60,442 ) $ ( 8,419 ) $ ( 55,840 ) $ ( 182,657 )

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Loss per Share	The following table presents the components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby $ ( 264,730 ) $ 27,489 $ ( 257,915 ) $ ( 294,750 ) Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares — ( 57 ) — — Earnings (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders – basic ( 264,730 ) 27,432 ( 257,915 ) ( 294,750 ) Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares — 57 — — Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares — ( 57 ) — — Earnings (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders – diluted $ ( 264,730 ) $ 27,432 $ ( 257,915 ) $ ( 294,750 ) Shares outstanding: Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding 60,109 60,038 60,095 60,015 Weighted average unvested restricted stock ( 47 ) ( 123 ) ( 51 ) ( 112 ) Weighted average common stock outstanding – basic 60,062 59,915 60,044 59,903 Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units — 16 — — Weighted average common stock outstanding – diluted 60,062 59,931 60,044 59,903 Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders: Basic $ ( 4.41 ) $ 0.46 $ ( 4.30 ) $ ( 4.92 ) Diluted $ ( 4.41 ) $ 0.46 $ ( 4.30 ) $ ( 4.92 )

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Inventories [Abstract]
Details of Inventories	The following table presents the details of inventories – net (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Finished goods $ 253,963 $ 255,491 Work in process 54,857 54,184 $ 308,820 $ 309,675

Retirement Plans (Tables)

Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s defined benefit plans were as follows (in thousands): Pension Benefits Pension Plans SERP Three Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 1,991 $ 1,917 $ — $ — Interest cost 3,560 3,919 8 10 Expected return on plan assets ( 6,566 ) ( 5,960 ) — — Amortization of actuarial loss 1,412 994 10 8 Net periodic benefit cost $ 397 $ 870 $ 18 $ 18 Pension Benefits Pension Plans SERP Nine Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 5,971 $ 5,753 $ — $ — Interest cost 10,679 11,758 23 30 Expected return on plan assets ( 19,699 ) ( 17,883 ) — — Amortization of actuarial loss 3,300 1,651 30 26 Net periodic benefit cost $ 251 $ 1,279 $ 53 $ 56
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s postretirement benefit plan were as follows (in thousands): Other Postretirement Benefits Postretirement Welfare Plan Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ — $ — $ — $ — Interest cost 5 6 13 17 Amortization of actuarial gain ( 113 ) ( 131 ) ( 338 ) ( 392 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ ( 108 ) $ ( 125 ) $ ( 325 ) $ ( 375 )

Other Comprehensive Income (Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Changes in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The Company’s changes in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Gross Income Tax Provision Net Amount Gross Income Tax (Provision) Benefit Net Pension and postretirement benefits (a): Amortization of net actuarial loss $ 1,309 $ ( 329 ) $ 980 $ 871 $ ( 219 ) $ 652 Actuarial gains (losses) 2,891 ( 729 ) 2,162 ( 6,592 ) 1,661 ( 4,931 ) Foreign currency translation ( 122 ) — ( 122 ) ( 239 ) — ( 239 ) Total $ 4,078 $ ( 1,058 ) $ 3,020 $ ( 5,960 ) $ 1,442 $ ( 4,518 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 2020 Gross Income Tax Provision Net Amount Gross Income Tax (Provision) Benefit Net Pension and postretirement benefits (a): Amortization of net actuarial loss $ 2,992 $ ( 753 ) $ 2,239 $ 1,285 $ ( 324 ) $ 961 Actuarial gains (losses) 7,019 ( 1,764 ) 5,255 ( 10,201 ) 2,566 ( 7,635 ) Foreign currency translation ( 705 ) — ( 705 ) ( 1,162 ) — ( 1,162 ) Total $ 9,306 $ ( 2,517 ) $ 6,789 $ ( 10,078 ) $ 2,242 $ ( 7,836 ) (a) Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into other income (expense). (See Note 12, Retirement Plans)

Acquisition (Details)

Acquisition (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)
Inland Tank Barges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisition	$ 7,470,000

Revenues (Details)

Revenues (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	$ 598,920,000	$ 496,567,000	$ 1,655,394,000	$ 1,681,652,000
Revenue recognized			40,315,000	37,153,000
Marine Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	338,514,000	320,602,000	972,352,000	1,104,846,000
Marine Transportation [Member] | Inland Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	255,791,000	247,647,000	733,830,000	869,224,000
Marine Transportation [Member] | Coastal Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	82,723,000	72,955,000	238,522,000	235,622,000
Distribution and Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	260,406,000	175,965,000	683,042,000	576,806,000
Distribution and Services [Member] | Commercial and Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	153,056,000	127,224,000	426,930,000	418,763,000
Distribution and Services [Member] | Oil and Gas [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	$ 107,350,000	$ 48,741,000	$ 256,112,000	$ 158,043,000

Revenues, Remaining Performance

Revenues, Remaining Performance Obligation (Details)	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-10-01
Revenue, Performance Obligation [Abstract]
Expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year

Segment Data (Details)

Segment Data (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)Segment	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | Segment			2
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 598,920,000	$ 496,567,000	$ 1,655,394,000	$ 1,681,652,000
Segment profit (loss)	(325,594,000)	19,274,000	(313,760,000)	(476,664,000)
Total assets	5,389,882,000		5,389,882,000		$ 5,924,174,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	830,000	(316,000)	5,082,000	13,000
Interest expense	(10,500,000)	(11,809,000)	(32,172,000)	(37,316,000)
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	(325,594,000)	19,274,000	(313,760,000)	(476,664,000)
Marine Transportation [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	338,514,000	320,602,000	972,352,000	1,104,846,000
Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	260,406,000	175,965,000	683,042,000	576,806,000
Other [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Segment profit (loss)	(353,548,000)	(14,221,000)	(371,199,000)	(601,821,000)
Total assets	212,298,000		212,298,000		357,894,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
General corporate expenses	(4,997,000)	(3,268,000)	(11,542,000)	(9,403,000)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	830,000	(316,000)	5,082,000	(13,000)
Impairments and other charges	(340,713,000)	0	(340,713,000)	(561,274,000)
Interest expense	(10,500,000)	(11,809,000)	(32,172,000)	(37,316,000)
Other income	1,832,000	1,172,000	8,146,000	6,185,000
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	(353,548,000)	(14,221,000)	(371,199,000)	(601,821,000)
Details of Other total assets [Abstract]
General corporate assets	210,311,000		210,311,000		355,205,000
Investment in affiliates	1,987,000		1,987,000		2,689,000
Total other assets	212,298,000		212,298,000		357,894,000
Reporting Segments [Member] | Marine Transportation [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	338,514,000	320,602,000	972,352,000	1,104,846,000
Segment profit (loss)	16,915,000	32,391,000	37,333,000	134,482,000
Total assets	4,320,452,000		4,320,452,000		4,760,449,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	16,915,000	32,391,000	37,333,000	134,482,000
Reporting Segments [Member] | Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	260,406,000	175,965,000	683,042,000	576,806,000
Segment profit (loss)	11,039,000	1,104,000	20,106,000	(9,325,000)
Total assets	857,132,000		857,132,000		$ 805,831,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	11,039,000	1,104,000	20,106,000	(9,325,000)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	5,436,000	6,768,000	17,593,000	23,115,000
Segment profit (loss)	543,000	676,000	1,759,000	2,311,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	$ 543,000	$ 676,000	$ 1,759,000	$ 2,311,000

Long-Term Debt, Carrying Value

Long-Term Debt, Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value	$ 1,211,983,000	$ 1,475,040,000
Fair value	1,268,724,000	1,570,693,000
Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs	(3,807,000)	(6,454,000)
Long-term Debt	1,208,176,000	1,468,586,000
Amount excluded on unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs	1,559,000
3.29% Senior Notes Due February, 27 2023 [Member]
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value	350,000,000	350,000,000
Fair value	$ 357,848,000	364,538,000
Interest rate	3.29%
Maturity Date	Feb. 27, 2023
4.2% Senior Notes Due March 1, 2028 [Member]
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value	$ 500,000,000	500,000,000
Fair value	$ 548,893,000	581,115,000
Interest rate	4.20%
Maturity Date	Mar. 1, 2028
Credit line due September 30, 2021 [Member]
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value	$ 0	0
Fair value	0	0
Bank Note Payable [Member]
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value	1,983,000	40,000
Fair value	1,983,000	40,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value	0	250,000,000
Fair value	$ 0	$ 250,000,000
Variable interest rates	1.50%	1.50%
Maturity Date	Mar. 27, 2024
Term Loan [Member]
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value	$ 360,000,000	$ 375,000,000
Fair value	360,000,000	$ 375,000,000
Long-term Debt	$ 20,000,000
Maturity Date	Mar. 27, 2024

Long-Term Debt, Borrowings and

Long-Term Debt, Borrowings and Payments under Bank Credit Facilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Borrowings and Payments under the Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Borrowings (Payments) on bank credit facilities	$ (248,057)	$ 360,139
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Borrowings and Payments under the Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Borrowings on bank credit facilities	4,795	582,212
Payments on bank credit facilities	(252,852)	(222,073)
Borrowings (Payments) on bank credit facilities	$ (248,057)	$ 360,139

Long-Term Debt (Details)

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Term loan	$ 1,208,176,000	$ 1,468,586,000
Credit line due September 30, 2021 [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity	8,701,000
Credit facility, amount outstanding	10,000,000
Credit facility and borrowings, amount available	1,299,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 850,000,000
Credit facility, expiration date	Mar. 27, 2024
Credit facility, amount outstanding	$ 5,063,000
Credit facility and borrowings, amount available	$ 844,937,000
Term Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Credit facility, expiration date	Mar. 27, 2024
Line of credit facility repayment	$ 15,000,000,000
Term loan	$ 20,000,000

Leases, Future Minimum Lease Pa

Leases, Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Percentage of costs relate to service costs for leased towing vessels	70.00%
Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases [Abstract]
2021	$ 10,258	$ 40,224
2022	37,765	33,543
2023	32,566	28,012
2024	25,804	23,578
2025	22,394	21,261
Thereafter	100,946	96,491
Total lease payments	229,733	243,109
Less: imputed interest	(44,305)	(46,863)
Operating lease liabilities	$ 185,428	$ 196,246

Leases, Lease Cost (Details)

Leases, Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Lease Cost [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 10,361	$ 11,553	$ 31,433	$ 32,467
Variable lease cost	467	485	1,382	1,081
Short-term lease cost	3,534	4,645	10,602	17,998
Sublease income	(217)	(418)	(797)	(792)
Total lease cost	$ 14,145	$ 16,265	$ 42,620	$ 50,754

Leases, Other Supplemental Info

Leases, Other Supplemental Information (Details)	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Other Supplemental Information about Operating Leases [Abstract]
Weighted average discount rate	4.00%	4.10%
Weighted average remaining lease term	9 years	10 years

Impairments and Other Charges -

Impairments and Other Charges - Summary of Changes in Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance	$ 1,065,939,000		$ 1,065,939,000	$ 1,065,939,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization	627,191,000		627,191,000	408,139,000
Impairment		$ 387,970,000	219,052,000
Balance	438,748,000		438,748,000	657,800,000
Marine Transportation [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance	505,784,000		505,784,000	505,784,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization	237,626,000		237,626,000	18,574,000
Impairment	219,052,000		219,052,000
Balance	268,158,000		268,158,000	487,210,000
Distribution And Services [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance	560,155,000		560,155,000	560,155,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization	389,565,000		389,565,000	389,565,000
Impairment
Balance	$ 170,590,000		$ 170,590,000	$ 170,590,000

Impairments and Other Charges_2

Impairments and Other Charges (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)Segment	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting units | Segment			1
Proceeds from sale of assets			$ 39,163,000	$ 6,538,000
Impairment charge		$ 165,304,000
Impairment of intangible assets other than goodwill		148,909,000
Impairment of property and equipment		16,395,000
Goodwill impairment charge		387,970,000	219,052,000
Non-cash write-down		$ 8,000,000
Marine Transportation [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge	$ 219,052,000		$ 219,052,000
Marine Transportation [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Non-cash write-down	24,152,000
Marine Transportation [Member] | HAWAII
Goodwill [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of assets	17,200,000,000
Impairment charge	$ 97,508,000,000

Stock Award Plans, Compensation

Stock Award Plans, Compensation Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]
Compensation cost	$ 3,645	$ 3,414	$ 12,793	$ 12,066
Income tax benefit	$ 1,068	$ 1,181	$ 3,660	$ 3,332

Stock Award Plans (Details)

Stock Award Plans (Details) - shares	Mar. 01, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
2005 Stock and Incentive Plan [Member]
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Shares available for grant (in shares)	1,400,000
Shares available for future grants (in shares)		2,228,857
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] | RSUs [Member]
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Number of restricted stock and units granted (in shares)		311,016
Vesting period		5 years
Director Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Number of restricted stock and units granted (in shares)		29,773
Vesting period		6 months

Taxes on Income (Details)

Taxes on Income (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate				21.00%		35.00%
Income tax receivable	$ 70,959,000			$ 70,959,000			$ 188,177,000
Tax refund amount		$ 119,493,000
Loss before taxes on income [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	(325,594,000)		$ 19,274,000	(313,760,000)	$ (476,664,000)
U.S. Federal [Abstract]
Current	(446,000)		(33,690,000)	(446,000)	(189,994,000)
Deferred	(55,772,000)		23,350,000	(52,968,000)	16,056,000
U.S. State and local [Abstract]
Current	832,000		1,257,000	1,047,000	1,875,000
Deferred	(5,056,000)		620,000	(3,480,000)	(10,674,000)
Foreign - current	0		44,000	7,000	80,000
Total provision (benefit) for taxes on income	(60,442,000)		(8,419,000)	$ (55,840,000)	(182,657,000)
COVID-19 [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Operating losses tax year				2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Tax benefit related to CARES Act				$ 58,746,000
COVID-19 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Number of years net operating losses carried				5 years
United States [Member]
Loss before taxes on income [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	(325,369,000)		19,246,000	$ (313,177,000)	(476,382,000)
Foreign [Member]
Loss before taxes on income [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	$ (225,000)		$ 28,000	$ (583,000)	$ (282,000)

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ (264,730)	$ 27,489	$ (257,915)	$ (294,750)
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares	0	(57)	0	0
Earnings (loss) available to common stockholders, basic, total	(264,730)	27,432	(257,915)	(294,750)
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares	0	57	0	0
Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares	0	(57)	0	0
Earnings (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders - diluted	$ (264,730)	$ 27,432	$ (257,915)	$ (294,750)
Shares outstanding [Abstract]
Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding (in shares)	60,109	60,038	60,095	60,015
Weighted average unvested restricted stock (in shares)	(47)	(123)	(51)	(112)
Weighted average common stock outstanding - basic (in shares)	60,062	59,915	60,044	59,903
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)	0	16	0	0
Weighted average common stock outstanding - diluted (in shares)	60,062	59,931	60,044	59,903
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (4.41)	$ 0.46	$ (4.30)	$ (4.92)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (4.41)	$ 0.46	$ (4.30)	$ (4.92)
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)			627,000	681,000
RSUs [Member]
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)			565,000	162,000

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Details of inventories [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 253,963	$ 255,491
Work in process	54,857	54,184
Inventories - net	$ 308,820	$ 309,675

Retirement Plans (Details)

Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Service period of participants not impacted by pension plan amendment			15 years
Age of plan participants not impacted by pension plan amendment			50 years
Service period of participants who are age fifty not impacted by pension plan amendment			10 years
Pension plan defined benefit plan cost increase limit percentage			4.00%
Higman [Member]
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Pension contributions			$ 479,000
Pension Plans [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 1,991	$ 1,917	5,971	$ 5,753
Interest cost	3,560	3,919	10,679	11,758
Expected return on plan assets	(6,566)	(5,960)	(19,699)	(17,883)
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)	1,412	994	3,300	1,651
Net periodic benefit cost	397	870	251	1,279
SERP [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	0	0	0	0
Interest cost	8	10	23	30
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)	10	8	30	26
Net periodic benefit cost	18	18	53	56
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	0	0	0	0
Interest cost	5	6	13	17
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)	(113)	(131)	(338)	(392)
Net periodic benefit cost	$ (108)	$ (125)	$ (325)	$ (375)

Other Comprehensive Income (Det

Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Pension and postretirement benefits [Abstract]
Amortization of net actuarial loss, gross amount	$ 1,309	$ 871	$ 2,992	$ 1,285
Amortization of net actuarial loss, income tax provision	(329)	(219)	(753)	(324)
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net amount	980	652	2,239	961
Actuarial gains (losses), gross amount	2,891	(6,592)	7,019	(10,201)
Actuarial gains (losses), income tax provision	(729)	1,661	(1,764)	2,566
Actuarial gains (losses), net amount	2,162	(4,931)	5,255	(7,635)
Foreign currency translation, gross amount	(122)	(239)	(705)	(1,162)
Foreign currency translation, income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation, net amount	(122)	(239)	(705)	(1,162)
Total other comprehensive income, gross amount	4,078	(5,960)	9,306	(10,078)
Total other comprehensive income, income tax provision	(1,058)	1,442	(2,517)	2,242
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	$ 3,020	$ (4,518)	$ 6,789	$ (7,836)

Contingencies and Commitments (

Contingencies and Commitments (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)
Guaranties [Abstract]
Issued guaranties	$ 21,199,000
Settlement Agreement [Member]
Guaranties [Abstract]
Proceeds from legal settlements	20,206,000
Payments for legal settlements	$ 2,102,000
Maximum [Member]
Guaranties [Abstract]
Guarantor obligations, expiration period	2 years
Performance Bonds [Member]
Guaranties [Abstract]
Issued guaranties	$ 7,352,000
Letters of Credit [Member]
Guaranties [Abstract]
Issued guaranties	$ 13,847,000