Kirby (KEX) 10-K 24 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 21, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'KIRBY CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000056047	'	'
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	'	'	$4,343,966,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	56,905,000	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,022	$11,059
Accounts receivable:	'	'
Trade - less allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,055 ($4,720 in 2012)	311,549	313,182
Other	43,053	43,074
Inventories - net, at lower of average cost or market	135,887	177,397
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	40,037	39,248
Deferred income taxes	9,458	12,296
Total current assets	544,006	596,256
Property and equipment:	'	'
Marine transportation equipment	3,170,433	3,029,219
Land, buildings and equipment	205,460	189,894
Property and equipment	3,375,893	3,219,113
Accumulated depreciation	1,005,090	903,948
Property and equipment - net	2,370,803	2,315,165
Investment in affiliates	2,156	1,808
Goodwill	591,405	596,030
Other assets	174,147	143,869
Total assets	3,682,517	3,653,128
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	0	65,000
Income taxes payable	2,915	2,369
Accounts payable	177,375	156,763
Accrued liabilities:	'	'
Interest	5,494	1,628
Insurance premiums and claims	49,162	44,589
Employee compensation	42,613	39,561
Taxes - other than on income	12,160	10,760
Other	19,572	17,493
Deferred revenues	36,698	16,857
Total current liabilities	345,989	355,020
Long-term debt - less current portion	749,150	1,070,110
Deferred income taxes	544,110	426,096
Other long-term liabilities	21,115	94,848
Total long-term liabilities	1,314,375	1,591,054
Contingencies and commitments	'	'
Kirby stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $.10 par value per share. Authorized 120,000,000 shares, issued 59,776,000 in 2013 and 2012	5,978	5,978
Additional paid-in capital	410,615	397,785
Accumulated other comprehensive income - net	-16,793	-61,127
Retained earnings	1,692,140	1,439,079
Treasury stock - at cost, 2,930,000 shares in 2013 and 3,191,000 in 2012	-81,254	-86,747
Total Kirby stockholders' equity	2,010,686	1,694,968
Noncontrolling interests	11,467	12,086
Total equity	2,022,153	1,707,054
Total liabilities and equity	$3,682,517	$3,653,128

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Trade, allowance for doubtful accounts	$5,055	$4,720
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)	59,776,000	59,776,000
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	2,930,000	3,191,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:	'	'	'
Marine transportation	$1,713,167	$1,408,893	$1,194,607
Diesel engine services	529,028	703,765	655,810
Total revenues	2,242,195	2,112,658	1,850,417
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'
Costs of sales and operating expenses	1,448,805	1,409,662	1,228,440
Selling, general and administrative	177,766	178,483	170,386
Taxes, other than on income	15,893	14,519	13,179
Depreciation and amortization	164,437	145,147	126,029
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	-888	14	40
Total costs and expenses	1,806,013	1,747,825	1,538,074
Operating income	436,182	364,833	312,343
Equity in earnings of affiliates	348	276	347
Other income (expense)	20	-198	-41
Interest expense	-27,872	-24,385	-17,902
Earnings before taxes on income	408,678	340,526	294,747
Provision for taxes on income	-152,379	-127,907	-109,255
Net earnings	256,299	212,619	185,492
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3,238	-3,181	-2,466
Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$253,061	$209,438	$183,026
Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$4.46	$3.75	$3.35
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$4.44	$3.73	$3.33

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
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]	'		'		'
Net earnings	$256,299		$212,619		$185,492
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:	'		'		'
Pension and postretirement benefits	43,274		-10,270		-27,383
Foreign currency translation adjustments	108		102		-350
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	952		5,217		5,199
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	44,334	[1]	-4,951	[1]	-22,534	[1]
Total comprehensive income, net of taxes	300,633		207,668		162,958
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3,238		-3,181		-2,466
Comprehensive income attributable to Kirby	$297,395		$204,487		$160,492
[1]	Reclassifications to net earnings of derivatives qualifying as effective hedges are recognized in interest expense or costs of sales and operating expenses as appropriate. (See Note 5 b Derivative Instruments)

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
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net earnings	$256,299	$212,619	$185,492
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operations:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	164,437	145,147	126,029
Provision (credit) for doubtful accounts	1,260	-42	266
Provision for deferred income taxes	103,056	77,005	70,004
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	-888	14	40
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of distributions and contributions	-348	1,874	-347
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	11,621	9,796	9,228
Other	9,029	3,924	901
Increase (decrease) in cash flows resulting from changes in:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	2,235	-8,744	-58,351
Inventory	43,275	-46,372	-26,355
Other assets	-47,526	-5,180	-7,247
Income taxes payable	313	-4,347	3,026
Accounts payable	23,088	-10,484	21,492
Accrued and other liabilities	35,181	-49,480	-12,183
Net cash provided by operating activities	601,032	325,730	311,995
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-253,227	-312,167	-226,238
Acquisitions of businesses and marine equipment, net of cash acquired	-3,643	-380,925	-859,512
Proceeds from disposition of assets	33,982	19,651	11,821
Retirement of interest rate swaps assumed in acquisition	0	0	-14,803
Net cash used in investing activities	-222,888	-673,441	-1,088,732
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Borrowings (payments) on bank credit facilities, net	-150,960	97,110	95,000
Borrowings on long-term debt	225,000	275,000	531,646
Payments on long-term debt, net	-460,000	-39,005	-33,128
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	-3,857	-2,728	-2,115
Proceeds from noncontrolling interest investments	0	0	268
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,635	8,932	4,367
Payment of contingent liability	-5,000	0	0
Excess tax benefit from equity compensation plans	3,001	3,212	1,348
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-385,181	342,521	597,386
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-7,037	-5,190	-179,351
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	11,059	16,249	195,600
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	4,022	11,059	16,249
Cash paid during the year:	'	'	'
Interest	21,393	21,364	16,455
Income taxes	46,136	52,105	34,926
Noncash investing activity:	'	'	'
Stock issued in acquisitions	0	29,080	113,019
Cash acquired in acquisitions	0	2,301	4,044
Disposition of assets for receivables	$0	$0	$682

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_STO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
In Thousands
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2010	$5,734	$237,014	($33,642)	$1,046,615	($99,622)	$3,040	'
Issuance of shares in acquisition	194	112,825	'	'	'	'	'
Excess of proceeds received upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock over cost of treasury stock issued	'	4,359	'	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit realized from equity compensation plans	'	1,348	'	'	'	'	1,348
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	'	-7,480	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of unearned compensation	'	9,228	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings attributable to Kirby for the year	'	'	'	183,026	'	'	183,026
Cost of treasury stock issued upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock (261,000 in 2013, 341,000 in 2012 and 248,000 in 2011)	'	'	'	'	5,460	'	'
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	2,466	-2,466
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	-2,115	2,115
Proceeds from noncontrolling interest investments	'	'	'	'	'	268	-268
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	7,974	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	'	'	-22,534	'	'	'	-22,534	[1]
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2011	5,928	357,294	-56,176	1,229,641	-94,162	11,633	'
Issuance of shares in acquisition	50	29,030	'	'	'	'	'
Excess of proceeds received upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock over cost of treasury stock issued	'	6,716	'	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit realized from equity compensation plans	'	3,212	'	'	'	'	3,212
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	'	-8,263	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of unearned compensation	'	9,796	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings attributable to Kirby for the year	'	'	'	209,438	'	'	209,438
Cost of treasury stock issued upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock (261,000 in 2013, 341,000 in 2012 and 248,000 in 2011)	'	'	'	'	7,415	'	'
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	3,181	-3,181
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	-2,728	2,728
Proceeds from noncontrolling interest investments	'	'	'	'	'	0	0
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	0	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	'	'	-4,951	'	'	'	-4,951	[1]
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2012	5,978	397,785	-61,127	1,439,079	-86,747	12,086	1,707,054
Issuance of shares in acquisition	0	0	'	'	'	'	'
Excess of proceeds received upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock over cost of treasury stock issued	'	8,276	'	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit realized from equity compensation plans	'	3,001	'	'	'	'	3,001
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	'	-10,068	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of unearned compensation	'	11,621	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings attributable to Kirby for the year	'	'	'	253,061	'	'	253,061
Cost of treasury stock issued upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock (261,000 in 2013, 341,000 in 2012 and 248,000 in 2011)	'	'	'	'	5,493	'	'
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	3,238	-3,238
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	-3,857	3,857
Proceeds from noncontrolling interest investments	'	'	'	'	'	0	0
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	0	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	'	'	44,334	'	'	'	44,334	[1]
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	$5,978	$410,615	($16,793)	$1,692,140	($81,254)	$11,467	$2,022,153
[1]	Reclassifications to net earnings of derivatives qualifying as effective hedges are recognized in interest expense or costs of sales and operating expenses as appropriate. (See Note 5 b Derivative Instruments)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_STO1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cost of treasury stock issued upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock	$261,000	$341,000	$248,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Kirby Corporation and all majority-owned subsidiaries (“the Company”). Two affiliated limited partnerships, in which the Company owns a 50% interest, is the general partner and has effective control and whose activities are an integral part of the operations of the Company, are consolidated. All other investments in which the Company owns 20% to 50% and exercises significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to reflect the current presentation of financial information.
	Accounting Policies
	Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of all short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at date of purchase.
	Accounts Receivable. In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to its customers. The Company regularly reviews the accounts and makes adequate provisions for probable uncollectible balances. It is the Company’s opinion that the accounts have no impairment, other than that for which provisions have been made. Included in accounts receivable as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $69,481,000 and $81,447,000, respectively, of accruals for revenues earned which have not been invoiced as of the end of each year.
	The Company’s marine transportation and diesel engine services operations are subject to hazards associated with such businesses. The Company maintains insurance coverage against these hazards with insurance companies. Included in accounts receivable as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $22,396,000 and $20,953,000, respectively, of receivables from insurance companies to cover claims in excess of the Company’s deductible.
	Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily trade accounts receivables. The Company’s marine transportation customers include the major oil refining and petrochemical companies. The diesel engine services customers are oil and gas service companies, marine transportation companies, commercial fishing companies, power generation companies, and the United States government. The Company regularly reviews its accounts and estimates the amount of uncollectible receivables each period and establishes an allowance for uncollectible amounts. The amount of the allowance is based on the age of unpaid amounts, information about the current financial strength of customers, and other relevant information. Estimates of uncollectible amounts are revised each period, and changes are recorded in the period they become known.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities have carrying values that approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of the Company’s debt instruments is more fully described in Note 6, Long-Term Debt.
	Property, Maintenance and Repairs. Property is recorded at cost. Improvements and betterments are capitalized as incurred. Depreciation is recorded on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets as follows: marine transportation equipment, 5-40 years; buildings, 10-40 years; other equipment, 2-10 years; and leasehold improvements, term of lease. When property items are retired, sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts with any gain or loss on the disposition included in the statement of earnings. Maintenance and repairs on vessels built for use on the inland waterways are charged to operating expense as incurred and includes the costs incurred in United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) inspections unless the shipyard extends the life or improves the operating capacity of the vessel which results in the costs being capitalized.
	Drydocking on Ocean-Going Vessels. The Company’s ocean-going vessels are subject to regulatory drydocking requirements after certain periods of time to be inspected, have planned major maintenance performed and be recertified by the American Bureau of Shipping (“ABS”). These recertifications generally occur twice in a five year period. The Company defers the drydocking expenditures incurred on its ocean-going vessels due to regulatory marine inspections by the ABS and amortizes the costs of the shipyard over the period between drydockings, generally 30 or 60 months, depending on the type of major maintenance performed. Drydocking expenditures that extend the life or improve the operating capability of the vessel result in the costs being capitalized. Routine repairs and maintenance on ocean-going vessels are expensed as incurred.
	Environmental Liabilities. The Company expenses costs related to environmental events as they are incurred or when a loss is considered probable and estimable.
	Goodwill. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in transactions accounted for as a purchase is included in goodwill. The Company conducted its annual goodwill impairment test at November 30, 2013 and 2012. For 2013 and 2012, the Company noted no impairment of goodwill. The Company will continue to conduct goodwill impairment tests as of November 30 of subsequent years, or whenever events or circumstances indicate that interim impairment testing is necessary. The gross carrying value of goodwill at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $608,872,000 and $613,497,000, respectively and accumulated amortization at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $15,566,000. Accumulated impairment losses were $1,901,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Net goodwill for the marine transportation segment was $381,243,000 and $385,868,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net goodwill for the diesel engine services segment was $210,162,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Revenue Recognition. The majority of marine transportation revenue is derived from term contracts, ranging from one to five years, some of which have renewal options, and the remainder is from spot market movements. The majority of the term contracts are for terms of one year. The Company is a provider of marine transportation services for its customers and, in almost all cases, does not assume ownership of the products it transports. A term contract is an agreement with a specific customer to transport cargo from a designated origin to a designated destination at a set rate or at a daily rate. The rate may or may not escalate during the term of the contract, however, the base rate generally remains constant and contracts often include escalation provisions to recover changes in specific costs such as fuel. A spot contract is an agreement with a customer to move cargo from a specific origin to a designated destination for a rate negotiated at the time the cargo movement takes place. Spot contract rates are at the current “market” rate, including fuel, and are subject to market volatility. The Company uses a voyage accounting method of revenue recognition for its marine transportation revenues which allocates voyage revenue based on the percent of the voyage completed during the period. There is no difference in the recognition of revenue between a term contract and a spot contract.
	Diesel engine service products and services are generally sold based upon purchase orders or preferential service agreements with the customer that include fixed or determinable prices and that do not include right of return or significant post-delivery performance obligations. Diesel engine parts sales are recognized when title passes upon shipment to customers or when customer-specific acceptance requirements are met. Service revenue is recognized as the service is provided. Diesel manufacturing and assembly projects revenue is reported on the percentage of completion method of accounting using measurements of progress towards completion appropriate for the work performed.
	Stock-Based Compensation. The Company has share-based compensation plans covering selected officers and other key employees as well as the Company’s Board of Directors. Stock-based grants made under the Company’s stock plans are recorded at fair value on the date of the grant and the cost is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the stock option or restricted stock. Stock option grants are valued at the date of grant as calculated under the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company’s stock-based compensation plans are more fully described in Note 9, Stock Award Plans.
	Taxes on Income. The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	Accrued Insurance. Accrued insurance liabilities include estimates based on individual incurred claims outstanding and an estimated amount for losses incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) or fully developed based on past experience. Insurance premiums, IBNR losses and incurred claim losses, in excess of the Company’s deductible for 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $22,971,000, $17,876,000 and $18,673,000, respectively.
	Noncontrolling Interests. The Company has a majority interest in and is the general partner in several affiliated entities. In situations where losses applicable to the minority interest in the affiliated entities exceed the limited partners’ equity capital, such excess and any further loss attributable to the minority interest is charged against the Company’s interest in the affiliated entities. If future earnings materialize in the respective affiliated entities, the Company’s interest would be credited to the extent of any losses previously absorbed.
	Treasury Stock. The Company follows the average cost method of accounting for treasury stock transactions.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of. The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles for impairment by vessel class whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.
	Recoverability on marine transportation assets is assessed based on vessel classes, not on individual assets, because identifiable cash flows for individual marine transportation assets are not available. Projecting customer contract volumes allows estimation of future cash flows by projecting pricing and utilization by vessel class but it is not practical to project which individual marine transportation asset will be utilized for any given contract. Because customers do not specify which particular vessel is used, prices are quoted based on vessel classes not individual assets. Nominations of vessels for specific jobs are determined on a day by day basis and are a function of the equipment class required and the geographic position of vessels within that class at that particular time as vessels within a class are interchangeable and provide the same service. The Company’s vessels are mobile assets and equipped to operate in geographic regions throughout the United States and the Company has in the past and expects to continue to move vessels from one region to another when it is necessary due to changing markets and it is economical to do so. Barge vessel classes are based on similar capacities, hull type, and type of product and towing vessels are based on similar hull type and horsepower. Recoverability of the vessel classes is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
	Accounting Standard
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 established the effective date for the requirement to present components of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) on the face of the financial statements. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 in the first quarter of 2013 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements except the Company has applied these provisions to its presentation of consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	(2) Acquisitions
	On December 28, 2012, the Company purchased the assets of Flag Service & Maintenance, Inc. (“Flag”) for $6,864,000 in cash. Flag was an East Coast high-speed diesel engine service provider, operating factory-authorized full service marine dealerships for Caterpillar, Cummins, MTU Detroit Diesel ("MTU") and John Deere diesel engines.
	On December 14, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Penn Maritime Inc. and Maritime Investments LLC (“Penn”), an operator of tank barges and tugboats participating in the coastal transportation of primarily refinery feedstocks, asphalt and crude oil in the United States. The total value of the transaction was $300,538,000, consisting of $146,750,000 of cash, $29,080,000 through the issuance of 500,000 shares of Company common stock valued at $58.16 per share, and $124,708,000 of cash for the retirement of Penn’s debt. Penn’s fleet, comprised of 18 double hull tank barges with a capacity of 1.9 million barrels and 16 tugboats, operated along the East Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States and primarily transported refinery feedstocks, asphalt and crude oil.
	On November 1, 2012, the Company purchased from Allied Transportation Company (“Allied”) 10 coastal tank barges with a total capacity of 680,000 barrels, three offshore dry-bulk barges with a total capacity of 48,000 deadweight tons and seven coastal tugboats for $108,547,000 in cash plus a provision for up to $10,000,000 that will be paid contingent on developments with the sugar provisions in the United States Farm Bill. The fair value of the contingent liability recorded at the acquisition date was $9,756,000. A payment of $5,000,000 was made in the 2013 first quarter on the contingent liability. Allied provided coastal transportation of petrochemicals as well as dry sugar products in the Northeast, Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions of the United States.
	On December 15, 2011, the Company completed the purchase of the coastal tank barge fleet of Seaboats, Inc. and affiliated companies (“Seaboats”) consisting of three 80,000 barrel coastal tank barges and tugboats for $42,745,000 in cash. The three coastal tank barges and tugboats currently operate along the United States East Coast and had an average age of five years.
	On July 1, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P. (“K-Sea”), an operator of tank barges and tugboats participating in the coastal transportation primarily of refined petroleum products in the United States. The total value of the transaction was $603,427,000, excluding transaction fees, consisting of $227,617,000 of cash paid to K-Sea common and preferred unit holders and the general partner, $262,791,000 of cash to retire K-Sea’s outstanding debt, and $113,019,000 through the issuance of 1,939,234 shares of Company common stock valued at $58.28 per share, the Company’s closing share price on July 1, 2011.
	On April 17, 2012, the Company changed the name of K-Sea to Kirby Offshore Marine, LLC (“Kirby Offshore Marine”) to more fully integrate the Company’s coastal operations with the Company’s inland marine transportation operations. The acquired company is referred to in this report as either K-Sea or Kirby Offshore Marine, depending on the context.
	On the acquisition date, Kirby Offshore Marine’s fleet, comprised of 57 coastal tank barges with a capacity of 3.8 million barrels and 63 tugboats, operated along the East Coast, West Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States, as well as in Alaska and Hawaii. Kirby Offshore Marine’s tank barge fleet, 54 of which were double hulled and had an average age of approximately nine years, is one of the youngest fleets in the coastal trade. Kirby Offshore Marine’s customers include major oil companies and refiners, many of which are current Company customers for inland tank barge services. Kirby Offshore Marine has operating facilities in New York, Seattle and Honolulu.
	On April 15, 2011, the Company purchased United Holdings LLC (“United”), a distributor and service provider of engine and transmission related products for the oil and gas services, power generation and on-highway transportation industries, and manufacturer of oilfield service equipment. The purchase price was $271,192,000 in cash, plus a three-year earnout provision for up to an additional $50,000,000 payable in 2014, dependent on achieving certain financial targets. As of December 31, 2013, the financial targets were not achieved and no payment will be made.  United, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with 21 locations across seven states, distributes and services equipment and parts for Allison Transmission (“Allison”), MTU, Daimler Trucks NA (“Daimler”), and other diesel and natural gas engines. United also manufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units. United’s principal customers are oilfield service companies, oil and gas operators and producers, compression companies and on-highway transportation companies.
	On February 24, 2011, the Company purchased 21 inland and offshore tank barges and 15 inland towboats and offshore tugboats from Enterprise Marine Services LLC (“Enterprise”) for $53,200,000 in cash. Enterprise provided transportation and delivery services for ship bunkers (engine fuel) to cruise ships, container ships and freighters primarily in the Miami, Port Everglades and Cape Canaveral, Florida area, the three largest cruise ship ports in the United States, as well as Tampa, Florida, Mobile, Alabama and Houston, Texas.
	On February 9, 2011, the Company purchased from Kinder Morgan Petcoke, L.P. (“Kinder Morgan”) for $4,050,000 in cash a 51% interest in Kinder Morgan’s shifting operation and fleeting facility for dry cargo barges and tank barges on the Houston Ship Channel. Kinder Morgan retained the remaining 49% interest and the Company will manage the operation. In addition, the Company purchased a towboat from Kinder Morgan for $1,250,000 in cash.
	The following unaudited pro forma results present consolidated information as if the United and K-Sea acquisitions had been completed as of January 1, 2011. The pro forma results do not include the acquisitions of Flag, Penn, Allied, Seaboats, Enterprise and Kinder Morgan described above as the effect of these acquisitions would not be materially different from the Company’s actual results.
	The pro forma results include the amortization associated with the acquired intangible assets, interest expense associated with the debt used to fund a portion of the acquisitions, the impact of the additional shares issued in connection with the K-Sea acquisition, the impact of certain fair value adjustments such as depreciation adjustments related to adjustments to property and equipment and standardization of accounting policies. The pro forma results do not include any cost savings or potential synergies related to the acquisitions nor any integration costs. The pro forma results should not be considered indicative of the results of operations or financial position of the combined companies had the acquisitions been consummated as of January 1, 2011, and are not necessarily indicative of results of future operations of the Company.
	The following table sets forth the Company’s pro forma revenues, net earnings attributable to Kirby, basic net earnings per share and fully diluted net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		2013		2012		2011
		Audited		Audited		Pro forma
						Unaudited
	Revenues	$	2,242,195	$	2,112,658	$	2,105,904
	Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$	253,061	$	209,438	$	172,426
	Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
	Basic	$	4.46	$	3.75	$	3.1
	Diluted	$	4.44	$	3.73	$	3.09

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	(3) Inventories
	The following table presents the details of inventories as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		December 31,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Finished goods	$	120,751	$	162,859
	Work in process		15,136		14,538
		$	135,887	$	177,397

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	(4) Fair Value Measurements
	The accounting guidance for using fair value to measure certain assets and liabilities establishes a three tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little, if any, market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
	The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant		Total
		in Active		Other		Unobservable		Fair Value
		Markets for		Observable		Inputs		Measurements
		Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	December 31, 2013:
	Assets:
	Derivatives	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	—	$	59	$	—	$	59
	Contingent liabilities		—		—		4,903		4,903
		$	—	$	59	$	4,903	$	4,962
		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant		Total
		in Active		Other		Unobservable		Fair Value
		Markets for		Observable		Inputs		Measurements
		Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	December 31, 2012:
	Assets:
	Derivatives	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	—	$	1,525	$	—	$	1,525
	Contingent liability		—		—		28,067		28,067
		$	—	$	1,525	$	28,067	$	29,592
	In connection with the acquisition of Allied on November 1, 2012, Allied’s former owners are eligible to receive up to an additional $10,000,000 payable in 2013 through 2015, contingent on developments with the sugar provisions in the United States Farm Bill. The fair value of the contingent liability recorded at the acquisition date was $9,756,000. The fair value of the contingent liability is based on a valuation of the estimated fair value of the liability after probability weighting and discounting various potential payments. A payment of $5,000,000 was made in the 2013 first quarter on the contingent liability. The increase in the fair value of the contingent liability of $136,000 and $11,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, was charged to selling, general and administrative expense. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had recorded a contingent liability of $4,903,000.
	In connection with the acquisition of United on April 15, 2011, United’s former owners were eligible to receive a three-year earnout provision for up to an additional $50,000,000 payable in 2014, dependent on achieving certain financial targets. The fair value of the contingent earnout liability recorded at the acquisition date was $16,300,000. The fair value of the earnout was based on a valuation of the estimated fair value of the liability after probability weighting and discounting various potential payments. The decrease in the fair value of the earnout liability of $18,300,000 and $4,300,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were credited to selling, general and administrative expense. As of December 31, 2013, the financial targets were not achieved and no payment will be made.  No United earnout liability was recorded as of December 31, 2013 compared with $18,300,000 as of December 31, 2012.
	Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities have carrying values that approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these financial instruments.  The fair value of the Company’s debt instruments is described in Note 6, Long-Term Debt.
	Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and therefore are not included in the table above. These assets are adjusted to fair value when there is evidence of impairment. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, there was no indication that the Company’s long-lived assets were impaired, and accordingly, measurement at fair value was not required.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments	'
	(5) Derivative Instruments
	The Company recognizes all derivative instruments at fair value in the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation, which is established at the inception date of a derivative. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value, to the extent the hedge is effective, are recognized in OCI until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Hedge effectiveness is measured at least quarterly based on the cumulative difference between the fair value of the derivative contract and the hedged item over time. Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in earnings.
	Interest Rate Risk Management
	From time to time, the Company has utilized derivative financial instruments with respect to a portion of its interest rate risks to achieve a more predictable cash flow by reducing its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These transactions generally are interest rate swap agreements and are entered into with large multinational banks. On February 28, 2013, all of the Company’s outstanding interest rate swaps expired. These interest rate swaps, with a total notional amount of $200,000,000, were designated as cash flow hedges.
	Foreign Currency Risk Management
	From time to time, the Company has utilized derivative financial instruments with respect to its forecasted foreign currency transactions to attempt to reduce the risk of its exposure to foreign currency rate fluctuations in its transactions denominated in foreign currency. These transactions, which relate to foreign currency obligations for the purchase of equipment from foreign suppliers or foreign currency receipts from foreign customers, generally are forward contracts or purchased call options and are entered into with large multinational banks.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had a forward contract with a notional amount of $469,000 to hedge its exposure to foreign currency rate fluctuations in expected foreign currency transactions. This contract expired in January 2014. This forward contract was designated as a cash flow hedge, therefore, the change in fair value, to the extent the forward contract was effective, was recognized in OCI until the forward contract expired and was recognized in cost of sales and operating expenses.
	Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	The following table sets forth the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments recorded as liabilities located on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
	Liability Derivatives	Balance Sheet Location	2013			2012
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other accrued liabilities	$	59		$	—
	Foreign currency contracts	Other long-term liabilities		—			39
	Interest rate contracts	Other accrued liabilities		—			1,486
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815		$	59		$	1,525
	Total liability derivatives		$	59		$	1,525
	Fair value amounts were derived as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 utilizing fair value models of the Company and its counterparties on the Company’s portfolio of derivative instruments. These fair value models use the income approach that relies on inputs such as yield curves, currency exchange rates and forward prices. The fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments is described above in Note 4, Fair Value Measurements.
	Cash Flow Hedges
	For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings. Any ineffectiveness related to the Company’s hedges was not material for any of the periods presented.
	The following table sets forth the location and amount of gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
	Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash	Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified		Amount of Gain (Loss)
		from Accumulated OCI into Income		Recognized in OCI on Derivatives
				(Effective Portion)
	Flow Hedging Relationships:	(Effective Portion)		2013			2012			2011
	Interest rate contracts	Interest expense	$	1,486		$	7,716		$	7,007
	Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of sales and operating expenses		(23	)		346			929
	Total		$	1,463		$	8,062		$	7,936
	Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash	Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified	Amount of Gain (Loss)
		from Accumulated OCI into Income	Reclassified from
			Accumulated OCI into Income
			(Effective Portion)
	Flow Hedging Relationships:	(Effective Portion)	2013			2012			2011
	Interest rate contracts	Interest expense	$	(1,389	)	$	(8,321	)	$	(8,586	)
	Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of sales and operating expenses		—			19			(13	)
	Total		$	(1,389	)	$	(8,302	)	$	(8,599	)
	The Company expects $59,000 of its net loss on a foreign currency contract included in accumulated OCI will be transferred into earnings over the next year based on the maturity date of the forward contract.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	(6) Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		2013		2012
	Long-term debt, including current portion:
	$150,000,000 senior notes Series A due February 27, 2020	$	150,000	$	82,500
	$350,000,000 senior notes Series B due February 27, 2023		350,000		192,500
	$540,000,000 term loan due July 1, 2016		208,000		468,000
	$325,000,000 revolving credit facility due November 9, 2015		41,150		185,000
	$10,000,000 credit line due June 29, 2014		—		7,110
	Senior notes due February 28, 2013		—		200,000
		$	749,150	$	1,135,110
	The aggregate payments due on the long-term debt in each of the next five years were as follows (in thousands):
	2014	$	—
	2015		41,150
	2016		208,000
	2017		—
	2018		—
	Thereafter		500,000
		$	749,150
	The Company has $500,000,000 of unsecured senior notes (“Senior Notes Series A” and “Senior Notes Series B”) with a group of institutional investors, consisting of $150,000,000 of 2.72% Senior Notes Series A due February 27, 2020 and $350,000,000 of 3.29% Senior Notes Series B due February 27, 2023. The Company issued $82,500,000 of Senior Notes Series A and $192,500,000 of Senior Notes Series B on December 13, 2012, the proceeds of which were used to fund the acquisition of Penn. The Company issued $67,500,000 of Senior Notes Series A and $157,500,000 of Senior Notes Series B on February 27, 2013, the proceeds of which were used to refinance $200,000,000 of floating rate senior notes due February 28, 2013, with the balance used to pay down the Company’s unsecured revolving credit facility. No principal payments are required until maturity. The Senior Notes Series A and Series B contain certain covenants on the part of the Company, including an interest coverage covenant, a debt-to-capitalization covenant and covenants relating to liens, asset sales and mergers, among others. The Senior Notes Series A and Series B also specify certain events of default, upon the occurrence of which the maturity of the notes may be accelerated, including failure to pay principal and interest, violation of covenants or default on other indebtedness, among others. As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all Senior Notes Series A and Series B covenants and had $150,000,000 of Senior Notes Series A outstanding and $350,000,000 of Senior Notes Series B outstanding.
	The Company has a $325,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of banks, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the administrative agent bank, with a maturity date of November 9, 2015. The variable interest rate spread varies with the Company’s senior debt rating and is currently 1.5% over LIBOR or 0.5% over an alternate base rate calculated with reference to the agent bank’s prime rate, among other factors (“Alternate Base Rate”). The commitment fee is currently 0.3%. The Revolving Credit Facility contains certain restrictive financial covenants including an interest coverage ratio and a debt-to-capitalization ratio. In addition to financial covenants, the Revolving Credit Facility contains covenants that, subject to exceptions, restrict debt incurrence, mergers and acquisitions, sales of assets, dividends and investments, liquidations and dissolutions, capital leases, transactions with affiliates and changes in lines of business. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes, the purchase of existing or new equipment, the purchase of the Company’s common stock, or for business acquisitions. As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all Revolving Credit Facility covenants and had $41,150,000 outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. The average borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility during 2013 was $75,113,000, computing by averaging the daily balance, and the weighted average interest rate was 1.7%, computed by dividing the interest expense under the Revolving Credit Facility by the average Revolving Credit Facility borrowing. The Revolving Credit Facility includes a $25,000,000 commitment which may be used for standby letters of credit. Outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility were $3,930,000 as of December 31, 2013.
	The Company has a credit agreement (“Term Loan”) with a group of commercial banks, with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as the administrative agent bank, with a maturity date of July 1, 2016. The Term Loan provides for a $540,000,000 five-year unsecured term loan facility with a variable interest rate based on LIBOR or an Alternate Base Rate. The interest rate spread varies with the Company’s senior debt rating and is currently 1.5% over LIBOR or 0.5% over the Alternate Base Rate. The outstanding balance of the Term Loan is subject to quarterly amortization in increasing amounts and is prepayable, in whole or in part, without penalty. The Term Loan contains certain restrictive financial covenants including an interest coverage ratio and a debt-to-capitalization ratio. In addition to financial covenants, the Term Loan contains covenants that, subject to exceptions, restrict debt incurrence, mergers and acquisitions, sales of assets, dividends and investments, liquidations and dissolutions, capital leases, transactions with affiliates and changes in lines of business. As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all Term Loan covenants and had $208,000,000 outstanding under the Term Loan, none of which was classified as current portion of long-term debt. The average borrowing under the Term Loan during 2013 was $401,270,000, computed by averaging the daily balance, and the weighted average interest rate was 1.7%, computed by dividing the interest expense under the Term Loan by the average Term Loan borrowing.
	The Company had $200,000,000 of unsecured floating rate senior notes (“Senior Notes”) that were retired on February 28, 2013, the maturity date of the Senior Notes, with the proceeds from the Senior Notes Series A and Senior Notes Series B described above.
	The Company has a $10,000,000 line of credit (“Credit Line”) with Bank of America, N.A. (“Bank of America”) for short-term liquidity needs and letters of credit, with a maturity date of June 29, 2014. The Credit Line allows the Company to borrow at an interest rate agreed to by Bank of America and the Company at the time each borrowing is made or continued. The Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Line as of December 31, 2013. Outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Line were $869,000 as of December 31, 2013.
	The estimated fair value of total debt outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $710,377,000 and $1,130,967,000, respectively, which differs from the carrying amount of $749,150,000 and $1,135,110,000, respectively, included in the consolidated financial statements. The fair value was determined using an income approach that relies on inputs such as yield curves.

Taxes_on_Income

Taxes on Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Taxes on Income [Abstract]	'
Taxes on Income	'
	(7) Taxes on Income
	Earnings before taxes on income and details of the provision for taxes on income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Earnings before taxes on income — United States	$	408,678		$	340,526		$	294,747
	Provision for taxes on income:
	Federal:
	Current	$	41,008		$	41,297		$	33,640
	Deferred		97,586			71,767			65,451
	State and local		13,785			14,843			10,164
		$	152,379		$	127,907		$	109,255
	During the three years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options and the issuance of restricted stock that were allocated directly to additional paid-in capital were $3,001,000, $3,212,000 and $1,348,000, respectively.
	The Company’s provision for taxes on income varied from the statutory federal income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 due to the following:
		2013			2012			2011
	United States income tax statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State and local taxes, net of federal benefit		2.2			2.8			2.2
	Other – net		0.1			(.2	)		(.1	)
			37.3	%		37.6	%		37.1	%
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the current deferred tax assets and non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Current deferred tax assets:
	Compensated absences	$	782		$	750
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		1,927			1,652
	Insurance accruals		2,572			3,306
	Other		4,177			6,588
		$	9,458		$	12,296
	Non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities:
	Deferred tax assets:
	Postretirement health care benefits	$	3,015		$	3,215
	Insurance accruals		2,781			1,556
	Deferred compensation		9,526			8,449
	Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments		51			563
	Unrealized loss on defined benefit plans		9,379			33,942
	Operating loss carryforwards		5,699			601
	Other		17,925			13,443
			48,376			61,769
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property		(487,187	)		(408,905	)
	Deferred state taxes		(46,798	)		(39,072	)
	Pension benefits		(13,063	)		(18,794	)
	Goodwill and other intangibles		(26,120	)		(20,220	)
	Other		(19,318	)		(874	)
			(592,486	)		(487,865	)
		$	(544,110	)	$	(426,096	)
	The Company has determined that it is more likely than not that all deferred tax assets at December 31, 2013 will be realized, including its operating loss carryforwards of $5,699,000 that expire in various amounts through 2030.
	The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the 2010 through 2012 tax years. With few exceptions, the Company and its subsidiaries’ state income tax returns are open to audit under the statute of limitations for the 2007 through 2012 tax years.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company has provided a liability of $1,215,000 for unrecognized tax benefits related to various income tax issues which includes interest and penalties. The amount that would impact the Company’s effective tax rate, if recognized, is $827,000, with the difference between the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits and the amount that would impact the effective tax rate being primarily related to the federal tax benefit of state income tax items. It is not reasonably possible to determine if the liability for unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change prior to December 31, 2014 due to the uncertainty of possible examination results.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, is as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance at beginning of year	$	1,045		$	1,532		$	2,088
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		239			165			602
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		114			53			402
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(413	)		(502	)		(738	)
	Settlements		(36	)		(203	)		(822	)
	Balance at end of year	$	949		$	1,045		$	1,532
	The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of its provision for federal and state income taxes. The Company recognized net expense (credit) of $(421,000), $(43,000) and $16,000 in interest and penalties for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company had $266,000, $790,000 and $977,000 of accrued liabilities for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'
	(8) Leases
	The Company and its subsidiaries currently lease various facilities and equipment under a number of cancelable and noncancelable operating leases. Lease agreements for barges have terms from one to 12 years expiring at various dates through 2020. Lease agreements for towing vessels chartered by the Company have terms from 30 days to five years expiring at various dates through 2017; however, approximately half of the towing vessel charter agreements are for terms of one year or less. Total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows (in thousands):
		2013		2012		2011
	Rental expense:
	Marine equipment — barges	$	20,841	$	23,835	$	16,396
	Marine equipment — towing vessels		124,877		97,428		91,796
	Other buildings and equipment		10,298		9,952		8,156
	Rental expense	$	156,016	$	131,215	$	116,348
	Future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
				Marine Equipment
		Land, Buildings		Barges		Towing		Total
		and Equipment				Vessels
	2014	$	7,595	$	18,365	$	75,175	$	101,135
	2015		6,655		16,267		46,828		69,750
	2016		6,128		12,112		12,764		31,004
	2017		5,261		10,773		4,027		20,061
	2018		4,691		9,654		—		14,345
	Thereafter		18,883		10,426		—		29,309
		$	49,213	$	77,597	$	138,794	$	265,604

Stock_Award_Plans

Stock Award Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]	'
Stock Award Plans	'
	(9) Stock Award Plans
	The Company has share-based compensation plans which are described below. 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 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):
			2013				2012				2011
	Compensation cost		$	11,621			$	9,796			$	9,228
	Income tax benefit		$	4,370			$	3,644			$	3,534
	The Company has an employee stock award plan for selected officers and other key employees which provides for the issuance of stock options and restricted stock. The exercise price for each option equals the fair market value per share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The terms of the options prior to January 25, 2010 are five years and vest ratably over three years. Options granted on or after January 25, 2010 have terms of seven years and vest ratably over three years. No performance awards payable in stock have been awarded under the plan. At December 31, 2013, 2,667,619 shares were available for future grants under the employee plan and no outstanding stock options under the employee plan were issued with stock appreciation rights.
	The following is a summary of the stock option activity under the employee plan described above for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			Outstanding				Weighted
			Non-Qualified or				Average
			Nonincentive				Exercise
			Stock Awards				Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2010			434,447			$	33.53
	Granted			103,021			$	47.01
	Exercised			(91,794	)		$	32.75
	Canceled or expired			—			$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011			445,674			$	36.81
	Granted			99,906			$	65.8
	Exercised			(191,955	)		$	35.65
	Canceled or expired			(2,452	)		$	58.28
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			351,173			$	45.54
	Granted			111,527			$	70.94
	Exercised			(83,096	)		$	34.51
	Canceled or expired			—			$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			379,604			$	55.42
	Under the employee plan, stock options exercisable were 175,170, 149,544 and 226,900 at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options under the employee plan at December 31, 2013:
				Options Outstanding													Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices			Number				Weighted				Weighted			Aggregated		Number		Weighted				Aggregated
				Outstanding				Average				Average			Intrinsic		Exercisable		Average				Intrinsic
								Remaining				Exercise			Value				Exercise				Value
								Contractual				Price							Price
								Life in
								Years
	$31.35 — $36.35				79,199				3.1			$	32.62					79,199			$	32.62
	$46.74				97,703				4.1			$	46.74					64,173			$	46.74
	$65.28 — $66.72				96,311				5.1			$	65.81					31,798			$	65.81
	$70.65				104,424				6.1			$	70.65					─			$	─
	$86.96				1,967				6.6			$	86.96					─			$	─
	$31.35 — $86.96				379,604				4.7			$	55.42	$	16,639,000			175,170			$	43.81	$9,711,000
	The following is a summary of the restricted stock award activity under the employee plan described above for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			Unvested				Weighted
			Restricted				Average
			Stock				Grant Date
			Award				Fair Value
			Shares				Per Share
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2010			499,335			$	31.98
	Granted			150,612			$	46.5
	Vested			(163,480	)		$	33.27
	Forfeited			(10,835	)		$	38.9
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2011			475,632			$	36.43
	Granted			121,953			$	67.79
	Vested			(168,166	)		$	35.43
	Forfeited			(11,291	)		$	58.64
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2012			418,128			$	45.39
	Granted			139,971			$	69.85
	Vested			(149,162	)		$	44.3
	Forfeited			(9,659	)		$	61.2
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2013			399,278			$	54.92
	The Company has a director stock award plan for nonemployee directors of the Company which provides for the issuance of stock options and restricted stock. The director plan provides for the automatic grants of stock options and restricted stock to nonemployee directors on the date of first election as a director and after each annual meeting of stockholders. In addition, the director plan allows for the issuance of stock options or restricted stock in lieu of cash for all or part of the annual director fee at the option of the director. The exercise prices for all options granted under the plan are equal to the fair market value per share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The terms of the options are ten years. The options granted to a director when first elected vest immediately. The options granted and restricted stock issued after each annual meeting of stockholders vest six months after the date of grant. Options granted and restricted stock issued in lieu of cash director fees vest in equal quarterly increments during the year to which they relate. At December 31, 2013, 610,041 shares were available for future grants under the director plan. The director stock award plan is intended as an incentive to attract and retain qualified independent directors.
	The following is a summary of the stock option activity under the director plan described above for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			Outstanding				Weighted
			Non-Qualified or				Average
			Nonincentive				Exercise
Stock Awards			Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2010			356,429			$	34.88
Granted			60,552			$	56.42
Exercised			(63,356	)		$	32.17
Outstanding at December 31, 2011			353,625			$	39.05
Granted			66,306			$	62.39
Exercised			(73,993	)		$	28.22
Outstanding at December 31, 2012			345,938			$	45.84
Granted			54,958			$	75.17
Exercised			(80,574	)		$	46.75
Outstanding at December 31, 2013			320,322			$	50.64
Under the director plan, options exercisable were 320,082, 345,360 and 352,987 at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options under the director plan at December 31, 2013:
			Options Outstanding												Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices			Number				Weighted				Weighted		Aggregate		Number			Weighted			Aggregate
			Outstanding				Average				Average		Intrinsic		Exercisable			Average			Intrinsic
							Remaining				Exercise		Value					Exercise			Value
							Contractual				Price							Price
							Life in
							Years
$17.88				12,000				0.3			$	17.88				12,000		$	17.88
$20.28 — $29.60				36,000				4			$	26.49				36,000		$	26.49
$35.17 — $36.82				50,036				2.7			$	35.8				50,036		$	35.8
$41.24 — $56.45				119,022				6			$	52.05				119,022		$	52.05
$61.89 — $62.48				54,306				8.5			$	62.37				54,306		$	62.37
$75.17				48,958				9.3			$	75.17				48,718		$	75.17
$17.88 — $75.17				320,322				6			$	50.64	$15,569,000			320,082		$	50.63		$15,564,000
The following is a summary of the restricted stock award activity under the director plan described above for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Unvested				Weighted
		Restricted Stock				Average
		Award Shares				Grant Date
						Fair Value
						Per Share
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2010			525			$	41.33
Granted			11,990			$	56.85
Vested			(10,767	)		$	55.9
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2011			1,748			$	58.07
Granted			10,383			$	62.99
Vested			(11,783	)		$	62.26
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2012			348			$	62.99
Granted			10,536			$	75.65
Vested			(10,500	)		$	75.23
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2013			384			$	75.65
The total intrinsic value of all stock options exercised under all of the Company’s plans was $6,703,000, $6,768,000 and $4,072,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for tax deductions from stock option exercises was $2,520,000, $2,518,000 and $1,560,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The total intrinsic value of all the restricted stock vestings under all of the Company’s plans was $10,993,000, $11,878,000 and $7,921,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for tax deductions from restricted stock vestings was $4,133,000, $4,418,000 and $3,034,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
As of December 31, 2013, there was $2,576,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options and $15,854,000 related to restricted stock. The stock options are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.2 years and restricted stock over approximately 2.6 years. The total fair value of stock options vested was $3,341,000, $2,846,000 and $2,618,000 during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The fair value of the restricted stock vested was $10,993,000, $11,878,000 and $7,921,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The weighted average per share fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $25.14, $22.21 and $18.84, respectively. The fair value of the stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $4,184,000, $3,691,000 and $3,081,000, respectively. The Company currently uses treasury stock shares for restricted stock grants and stock option exercises. The fair value of each stock option was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The key input variables used in valuing the stock options during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:
	2013				2012					2011
Dividend yield	None				None				None
Average risk-free interest rate			1.1	%			1.1	%			2.4	%
Stock price volatility			34	%			33	%			33	%
Estimated option term	Six years or				Six years or				Six years or
	seven years				seven years				seven years

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Retirement Plans [Abstract]	'
Retirement Plans	'
	(10) Retirement Plans
	The Company sponsors a defined benefit plan for 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.
	The fair value of plan assets was $254,523,000 and $217,811,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012 respectively. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, these assets were allocated among asset categories as follows:
	Asset Category		2013				2012				Current Minimum,
											Target and
											Maximum Allocation Policy
	U.S. equity securities			51	%			44	%			30% — 50% — 70	%
	International equity securities			21	%			18	%			0% — 20% — 30	%
	Debt securities			28	%			26	%			15% — 30% — 55	%
	Cash and cash equivalents			—	%			12	%			0% — 0% — 5	%
				100	%			100	%
	The cash and cash equivalents asset category exceeded the maximum percentage allocation in 2012 due to the 2012 pension plan contribution of $25,000,000 being funded on the last day of the year which resulted in insufficient time to properly allocate the contribution among the asset categories. The Company allocated the contribution among the appropriate asset categories in January 2013.
	The plan assets are invested entirely in common collective trusts. These instruments are public investment vehicles valued using the net asset value provided by the administrator of the fund. The net asset value is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy as set forth in the accounting guidance for fair value measurements because the net asset value price is quoted on an inactive private market although the underlying investments are traded on an active market.
	The Company’s investment strategy focuses on total return on invested assets (capital appreciation plus dividend and interest income). The primary objective in the investment management of assets is to achieve long-term growth of principal while avoiding excessive risk. Risk is managed through diversification of investments within and among asset classes, as well as by choosing securities that have an established trading and underlying operating history.
	The Company makes various assumptions when determining defined benefit plan costs including, but not limited to, the current discount rate and the expected long-term return on plan assets. Discount rates are determined annually and are based on a yield curve that consists of a hypothetical portfolio of high quality corporate bonds with maturities matching the projected benefit cash flows. The Company assumed that plan assets would generate a long-term rate of return of 7.5% in 2013 and 2012. The Company developed its expected long-term rate of return assumption by evaluating input from investment consultants comparing historical returns for various asset classes with its actual and targeted plan investments. The Company believes that its long-term asset allocation, on average, will approximate the targeted allocation.
	The Company’s pension plan funding strategy has historically been to contribute an amount equal to the greater of the minimum required contribution under ERISA or the amount necessary to fully fund the plan on an accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) basis at the end of the fiscal year. The ABO is 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. The Company’s pension plan funding was 127% of the pension plan’s ABO at December 31, 2013.
	The Company sponsors an unfunded defined benefit health care plan that provides limited postretirement medical benefits to employees who met 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 following table presents the change in benefit obligation and plan assets for the Company’s defined benefit plans and postretirement benefit plan (in thousands):
																		Other Postretirement
																		Benefits
			Pension Benefits															Postretirement
			Pension Plan								SERP							Welfare Plan
			2013				2012				2013				2012			2013			2012
	Change in benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	266,911			$	216,926			$	1,746			$	1,645		$	2,854		$	3,014
	Service cost			12,824				10,206				—				—			—			—
	Interest cost			11,400				10,506				70				73			112			133
	Actuarial loss (gain)			(35,767	)			34,084				(138	)			131			(600	)		(235	)
	Gross benefits paid			(5,408	)			(4,811	)			(149	)			(103	)		(59	)		(58	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year		$	249,960			$	266,911			$	1,529			$	1,746		$	2,307		$	2,854
	Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year		$	200,577			$	214,951			$	1,529			$	1,746		$	—		$	—
	Weighted-average assumption used to determine benefit obligation at end of year
	Discount rate			5	%			4.1	%			5	%			4.1	%		5	%		4.1	%
	Rate of compensation increase			4.25	%			4.25	%			—				—			—			—
	Health care cost trend rate
	Initial rate			—				—				—				—			7	%		7.5	%
	Ultimate rate			—				—				—				—			5	%		5	%
	Years to ultimate			—				—				—				—			2018			2018
	Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on postretirement obligation
	Increase		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	202		$	267
	Decrease			—				—				—				—			(178	)		(234	)
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	217,811			$	174,223			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—
	Actual return on plan assets			42,120				23,399				—				—			—			—
	Employer contribution			—				25,000				149				103			59			58
	Gross benefits paid			(5,408	)			(4,811	)			(149	)			(103	)		(59	)		(58	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	254,523			$	217,811			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—
	The following table presents the funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet for the Company’s defined benefit plans and postretirement benefit plan at December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
																		Other Postretirement
																		Benefits
			Pension Benefits															Postretirement
			Pension Plan								SERP							Welfare Plan
			2013				2012				2013				2012			2013			2012
	Funded status at end of year
	Fair value of plan assets		$	254,523			$	217,811			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—
	Benefit obligations			249,960				266,911				1,529				1,746			2,307			2,854
	Funded status and amount recognized at end of year		$	4,563			$	(49,100	)		$	(1,529	)		$	(1,746	)	$	(2,307	)	$	(2,854	)
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
	Noncurrent asset		$	4,563			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—
	Current liability			—				—				(140	)			(101	)		(197	)		(223	)
	Long-term liability			—				(49,100	)			(1,389	)			(1,645	)		(2,110	)		(2,631	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
	Net actuarial loss (gain)		$	32,760			$	102,795			$	402			$	559		$	(6,364	)	$	(6,378	)
Prior service cost (credit)			—				—				—				—			—			—
Accumulated other compensation income		$	32,760			$	102,795			$	402			$	559		$	(6,364	)	$	(6,378	)
The projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
	Pension Benefits
	Pension Plan								SERP
	2013				2012				2013				2012
Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$		—		$		266,911		$		1,529		$		1,746
Fair value of plan assets at end of year			—				217,811				—				—
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
	Pension Benefits
	Pension Plan								SERP
	2013				2012				2013				2012
Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$		—		$		—		$		1,529		$		1,746
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year			—				—				1,529				1,746
Fair value of plan assets at end of year			—				—				—				—
The following tables presents the expected cash flows for the Company’s defined benefit plans and postretirement benefit plan at December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
																	Other Postretirement
																	Benefits
		Pension Benefits															Postretirement
		Pension Plan								SERP							Welfare Plan
		2013				2012				2013				2012			2013			2012
Expected employer contributions
First year		$	—			$	3,400			$	144			$	101		$	202		$	223
																	Other Postretirement
																	Benefits
		Pension Benefits															Postretirement
		Pension Plan								SERP							Welfare Plan
		2013				2012				2013				2012			2013			2012
Expected benefit payments (gross)
Year one		$	6,538			$	6,213			$	144			$	101		$	215		$	237
Year two			6,996				6,545				142				100			218			242
Year three			7,598				6,992				149				98			219			245
Year four			8,321				7,579				154				105			229			245
Year five			9,140				8,265				151				109			226			255
Next five years			59,242				53,734				663				616			976			1,154
																	Other Postretirement
																	Benefits
		Pension Benefits															Postretirement
		Pension Plan								SERP							Welfare Plan
		2013				2012				2013				2012			2013			2012
Expected federal subsidy
Year one		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	(13	)	$	(14	)
Year two			—				—				—				—			(13	)		(14	)
Year three			—				—				—				—			(13	)		(14	)
Year four			—				—				—				—			(12	)		(14	)
Year five			—				—				—				—			(12	)		(14	)
Next five years			—				—				—				—			(55	)		(62	)
The components of net periodic benefit cost and other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for the Company’s defined benefit plans for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits
		Pension Plan												SERP
		2013				2012				2011				2013			2012			2011
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost		$	12,824			$	10,206			$	7,303			$	—		$	—		$	—
Interest cost			11,400				10,506				9,693				70			73			80
Expected return on plan assets			(16,127	)			(12,872	)			(11,283	)			—			—			—
Amortization:
Actuarial loss			8,276				7,395				2,859				19			14			7
Prior service credit			—				—				(38	)			—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost			16,373				15,235				8,534				89			87			87
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
Current year actuarial loss (gain)			(61,759	)			23,557				46,444				(138	)		131			156
Recognition of actuarial loss			(8,276	)			(7,395	)			(2,859	)			(19	)		(14	)		(7	)
Recognition of prior service credit			—				—				38				—			—			—
Total recognized in other comprehensive income			(70,035	)			16,162				43,623				(157	)		117			149
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income		$	(53,662	)		$	31,397			$	52,157			$	(68	)	$	204		$	236
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
Discount rate			4.1	%			4.6	%			5.5	%			4.1	%		4.6	%		5.5	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets			7.5	%			7.5	%			7.5	%			—			—			—
Rate of compensation increase			4.25	%			4.25	%			4.25	%			—			—			—
The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
	Pension Benefits
	Pension Plan				SERP
Actuarial loss		$	784			$	16
Prior service credit			—				—
		$	784			$	16
The components of net periodic benefit cost and other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for the Company’s postretirement benefit plan for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):
		Other Postretirement Benefits
		Postretirement Welfare Plan
		2013				2012				2011
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost		$	—			$	—			$	—
Interest cost			112				133				164
Curtailment loss			—				—				119
Amortization:
Actuarial gain			(620	)			(618	)			(593	)
Prior service cost			—				—				40
Net periodic benefit cost			(508	)			(485	)			(270	)
Other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
Current year actuarial gain			(600	)			(235	)			182
Recognition of actuarial gain			620				618				593
Recognition of prior service cost			—				—				(158	)
Adjustment for actual Medicare Part D reimbursement			(5	)			(10	)			(3	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income			15				373				614
			)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income		$	(493	)		$	(112	)		$	344
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
Discount rate			4.1	%			4.6	%			5.5	%
Health care cost trend rate:
Initial rate			7.5	%			7.5	%			8	%
Ultimate rate			5	%			5	%			5	%
Years to ultimate			2018				2017				2017
Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on aggregate service and interest cost
Increase		$	10			$	13			$	16
Decrease			(9	)			(11	)			(14	)
The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
			Other Postretirement Benefits
			Postretirement Welfare Plan
Actuarial gain		$	(649	)
Prior service cost			—
		$	(649	)
The Company also contributes to a multiemployer pension plan pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement which covers certain vessel crew members of its coastal operations and expires on April 30, 2015. The Company began participation in the Seafarers Pension Trust (“SPT”) with the Penn acquisition on December 14, 2012.
Contributions to the SPT are made currently based on a per day worked basis and charged to expense as incurred and included in costs of sales and operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings. During 2013 and 2012, the Company made contributions of $1,368,000 and $107,000, respectively, to the SPT and none of the Company’s contributions to the SPT exceeded 5% of total contributions to the SPT nor did the Company pay any material surcharges.
The federal identification number of the SPT is 13-6100329 and the Certified Zone Status is Green at December 31, 2013. The Company’s future minimum contribution requirements under the SPT are unavailable because actuarial reports for the 2013 plan year are not yet complete and such contributions are subject to negotiations between the employers and the unions. The SPT was neither in endangered or critical status for the 2012 plan year, the latest period for which a report is available, as the funded status was in excess of 100%. Based on an actuarial valuation performed as of December 31, 2012, there would be no withdrawal liability if the Company chose to withdraw from the SPT although the Company currently has no intention of terminating its participation in the SPT.
In addition to the defined benefit plans, the Company sponsors various defined contribution plans for substantially all employees. The aggregate contributions to the plans were $23,158,000, $22,427,000 and $13,793,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Other_Comprehensive_Income

Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Other Comprehensive Income	'
	(11) Other Comprehensive Income
	The Company’s changes in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):
			2013									2012									2011
			Gross			Income Tax			Net			Gross			Income Tax			Net			Gross			Income Tax			Net
			Amount			(Provision)			Amount			Amount			(Provision)			Amount			Amount			(Provision)			Amount
						Benefit									Benefit									Benefit
	Pension and postretirement benefits (a):
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		$	7,675		$	(2,942	)	$	4,733		$	6,791		$	(2,603	)	$	4,188		$	2,275		$	(871	)	$	1,404
	Actuarial gains (losses)			62,503			(23,962	)		38,541			(23,443	)		8,985			(14,458	)		(46,652	)		17,865			(28,787	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			108			—			108			102			—			102			(350	)		—			(350	)
	Change in fair value of derivative instruments (b):
	Unrealized gains (losses)			2,851			(996	)		1,855			16,364			(5,775	)		10,589			16,713			(6,004	)		10,709
	Reclassified to net earnings			(1,389	)		486			(903	)		(8,302	)		2,930			(5,372	)		(8,599	)		3,089			(5,510	)
	Total		$	71,748		$	(27,414	)	$	44,334		$	(8,488	)	$	3,537		$	(4,951	)	$	(36,613	)	$	14,079		$	(22,534	)
	(a)	Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into costs of sales and operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses as appropriate. (See Note 10 – Retirement Plans)
	(b)	Reclassifications to net earnings of derivatives qualifying as effective hedges are recognized in interest expense or costs of sales and operating expenses as appropriate. (See Note 5 – Derivative Instruments)

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	(12) Earnings Per Share
	The following table presents the components of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		2013			2012			2011
	Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$	253,061		$	209,438		$	183,026
	Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares		(1,819	)		(1,618	)		(1,613	)
	Income available to Kirby common stockholders — basic		251,242			207,820			181,413
	Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares		1,819			1,618			1,613
	Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares		(1,813	)		(1,612	)		(1,606	)
	Income available to Kirby common stockholders — diluted	$	251,248		$	207,826		$	181,420
	Shares outstanding:
	Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding		56,762			55,897			54,673
	Weighted average unvested restricted stock		(408	)		(431	)		(482	)
	Weighted average common stock outstanding		56,354			55,466			54,191
	— basic
	Dilutive effect of stock options		198			208			222
	Weighted average common stock outstanding		56,552			55,674			54,413
	— diluted
	Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
	Basic	$	4.46		$	3.75		$	3.35
	Diluted	$	4.44		$	3.73		$	3.33
	Certain outstanding options to purchase approximately 2,000, 100,000 and 2,000 shares of common stock were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, as such stock options would have been antidilutive.

Quarterly_Results_Unaudited

Quarterly Results (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Results (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Results (Unaudited)	'
	(13) Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
	The unaudited quarterly results for the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2013			2013			2013
	Revenues	$	558,785		$	563,908		$	551,105		$	568,397
	Costs and expenses		458,904			455,193			432,991			459,813
	Gain (loss) on disposition of assets		(32	)		537			223			160
	Operating income		99,849			109,252			118,337			108,744
	Other income		75			101			60			132
	Interest expense		(7,988	)		(7,219	)		(6,694	)		(5,971	)
	Earnings before taxes on income		91,936			102,134			111,703			102,905
	Provision for taxes on income		(34,384	)		(38,342	)		(42,007	)		(37,646	)
	Net earnings		57,552			63,792			69,696			65,259
	Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		(974	)		(699	)		(573	)		(992	)
	Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$	56,578		$	63,093		$	69,123		$	64,267
	Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
	Basic	$	1		$	1.11		$	1.22		$	1.13
	Diluted	$	1		$	1.11		$	1.21		$	1.13
	The unaudited quarterly results for the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2012			2012			2012			2012
	Revenues	$	566,935		$	511,848		$	521,324		$	512,551
	Costs and expenses		477,847			428,219			428,647			413,098
	Gain (loss) on disposition of assets		(28	)		69			(40	)		(15	)
	Operating income		89,060			83,698			92,637			99,438
	Other income (expense)		149			30			(56	)		(45	)
	Interest expense		(5,840	)		(5,901	)		(6,056	)		(6,588	)
	Earnings before taxes on income		83,369			77,827			86,525			92,805
	Provision for taxes on income		(31,490	)		(29,392	)		(32,794	)		(34,231	)
	Net earnings		51,879			48,435			53,731			58,574
	Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		(935	)		(884	)		(676	)		(686	)
	Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$	50,944		$	47,551		$	53,055		$	57,888
	Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
	Basic	$	0.91		$	0.85		$	0.95		$	1.03
	Diluted	$	0.91		$	0.85		$	0.95		$	1.03
	Quarterly basic and diluted earnings per share may not total to the full year per share amounts, as the weighted average number of shares outstanding for each quarter fluctuates as a result of the assumed exercise of stock options.

Contingencies_and_Commitments

Contingencies and Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Contingencies and Commitments [Abstract]	'
Contingencies and Commitments	'
	(14) Contingencies and Commitments
	In June 2011, the Company as well as three other companies received correspondence from United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) concerning ongoing cleanup and restoration activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) with respect to a Superfund site, the Gulfco Marine Maintenance Site (“Gulfco”), located in Freeport, Texas. In prior years, various subsidiaries of the Company utilized a successor to Gulfco to perform tank barge cleaning services, sand blasting and repair on certain Company vessels. The EPA continues to investigate activities at the site to assess additional Potentially Responsible Parties (“PRPs”). Since 2005, four named PRPs have participated in the investigation, cleanup and restoration of the site under an administrative order from EPA. Information received to date indicates that approximately $4,500,000 has been incurred in connection with the cleanup effort in addition to EPA’s oversight costs of approximately $1,800,000. To date, neither the EPA nor the named PRPs have performed an allocation of potential liability in connection with the site nor have they provided requested supporting documentation for costs and expenses related to the site. The Company is investigating its activities at the site in order to assess what, if any, liability it has in connection with the site.
	In 2009, the Company was named a PRP in addition to a group of approximately 250 named PRPs under CERCLA with respect to a Superfund site, the Portland Harbor Superfund site (“Portland Harbor”) in Portland, Oregon. The site was declared a Superfund site in December 2000 as a result of historical heavily industrialized use due to manufacturing, shipbuilding, petroleum storage and distribution, metals salvaging, and electrical power generation activities which led to contamination of Portland Harbor, an urban and industrial reach of the lower Willamette River located immediately downstream of downtown Portland. The Company’s involvement arises from four spills at the site after it was declared a Superfund site, as a result of predecessor entities’ actions in the area. To date, there is no information suggesting the extent of the costs or damages to be claimed from the 250 notified PRPs. Based on the nature of the involvement at the Portland Harbor site, the Company believes its potential contribution is de minimis; however, to date neither the EPA nor the named PRPs have performed an allocation of potential liability in connection with the site nor have they provided costs and expenses in connection with the site.
	In 2000, the Company and a group of approximately 45 other companies were notified that they are PRPs under CERCLA with respect to a Superfund site, the Palmer Barge Line Superfund Site (“Palmer”), located in Port Arthur, Texas. In prior years, Palmer had provided tank barge cleaning services to various subsidiaries of the Company. The Company and three other PRPs entered into an agreement with the EPA to perform a remedial investigation and feasibility study and, subsequently, a limited remediation was performed and is now complete. During the 2007 third quarter, five new PRPs entered into an agreement with the EPA related to the Palmer site. In July 2008, the EPA sent a letter to approximately 30 PRPs for the Palmer site, including the Company, indicating that it intends to pursue recovery of $2,949,000 of costs it incurred in relation to the site. The Company and the other PRPs submitted recommended pro rata allocations of costs among all PRPs to the EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) in order to resolve the EPA’s past costs claim which is under consideration by the DOJ.
	With respect to the above sites, the Company has recorded reserves, if applicable, for its estimated potential liability for its portion of the EPA’s past costs claim based on information developed to date including various factors such as the Company’s liability in proportion to other responsible parties and the extent to which such costs are recoverable from third parties.
	On July 25, 2011, a subsidiary of the Company was named as a defendant in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas - Galveston Division, in a complaint styled Figgs. v. Kirby Inland Marine, et al., which alleges that the plaintiff individually as a vessel tankerman, and on behalf of other current and former similarly situated vessel tankermen employed with the Company, is entitled to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Plaintiffs assert that vessel tankermen are not seamen who are expressly exempt from overtime pay provisions under the law. The case was conditionally certified as a collective action on December 22, 2011 at which time the Court prescribed a notice period for current and former employees to voluntarily participate as plaintiffs. The notice period closed on February 27, 2012. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages in the form of back pay, attorneys’ fees, cost and liquidated damages. As this matter is in the initial stage of discovery as to the merits of the case, the Company is unable to assess what liability, if any, it may have.
	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 that it has recorded adequate reserves and believes that it has adequate insurance coverage or has meritorious defenses for these other claims and contingencies.
	Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles 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 financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. However, in the opinion of management, the amounts would be immaterial.
	The customer base of the marine transportation segment includes the major industrial petrochemical and chemical manufacturers, refining companies and agricultural chemical manufacturers operating in the United States. During 2013, approximately 75% of marine transportation’s inland revenues were from movements of such products under term contracts, typically ranging from one year to five years, with renewal options. During 2013, approximately 75% of the marine transportation’s coastal revenues were under term contracts. While the manufacturing and refining companies have generally been customers of the Company for numerous years (some as long as 40 years) and management anticipates a continuing relationship, there is no assurance that any individual contract will be renewed. No single customer of the marine transportation segment accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Major customers of the diesel engine services segment include inland and offshore barge operators, oilfield service companies, oil and gas operators and producers, compression companies, offshore fishing companies, marine and on-highway transportation companies, the USCG and United States Navy, and power generation, nuclear and industrial companies. The segment operates as an authorized distributor in 17 eastern states and the Caribbean, and as non-exclusive authorized service centers for Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (“EMD”) throughout the rest of the United States for marine and power generation applications. The diesel engine services segment’s relationship with EMD has been maintained for 48 years. The segment also operates factory-authorized full service marine dealerships for Cummins, Detroit Diesel and John Deere high-speed diesel engines and Allison transmissions and gears in the Gulf Coast region, as well as an authorized marine dealer for Caterpillar in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana and New Jersey.
	United has maintained continuous exclusive distribution rights for MTU and Allison since 1946. United is one of MTU’s top five distributors of MTU off-highway engines in North America with exclusive distribution rights in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. In addition, as a distributor of Allison transmission products, United has distribution rights in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Finally, United is also the exclusive distributor for Daimler engines and related equipment, in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
	The results of the diesel engine services segment are largely tied to the industries it serves and, therefore, can be influenced by the cycles of such industries. No single customer of the diesel engine services segment accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenues in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Weather can be a major factor in the day-to-day operations of the marine transportation segment. Adverse weather conditions, such as high or low water, tropical storms, hurricanes, tsunamis, fog and ice, can impair the operating efficiencies of the marine fleet. Shipments of products can be delayed or postponed by weather conditions, which are totally beyond the control of the Company. Adverse water conditions are also factors which impair the efficiency of the fleet and can result in delays, diversions and limitations on night passages, and dictate horsepower requirements and size of tows. Additionally, much of the inland waterway system is controlled by a series of locks and dams designed to provide flood control, maintain pool levels of water in certain areas of the country and facilitate navigation on the inland river system. Maintenance and operation of the navigable inland waterway infrastructure is a government function handled by the Army Corps of Engineers with costs shared by industry. Significant changes in governmental policies or appropriations with respect to maintenance and operation of the infrastructure could adversely affect the Company.
	The Company’s marine transportation segment is subject to regulation by the USCG, federal laws, state laws and certain international conventions, as well as numerous environmental regulations. The Company believes that additional safety, environmental and occupational health regulations may be imposed on the marine industry. There can be no assurance that any such new regulations or requirements, or any discharge of pollutants by the Company, will not have an adverse effect on the Company.
	The Company’s marine transportation segment competes principally in markets subject to the Jones Act, a federal cabotage law that restricts domestic marine transportation in the United States to vessels built and registered in the United States, and manned and owned by United States citizens. The Jones Act cabotage provisions occasionally come under attack by interests seeking to facilitate foreign flag competition in trades reserved for domestic companies and vessels under the Jones Act. The Company believes that continued efforts will be made to modify or eliminate the cabotage provisions of the Jones Act. If such efforts are successful, certain elements could have an adverse effect on the Company.
	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 $40,343,000 at December 31, 2013, including $6,108,000 in letters of credit and $34,235,000 in performance bonds. All of these instruments have an expiration date within four years. The Company does not believe demand for payment under these instruments is likely and expects no material cash outlays to occur in connection with these instruments.

Segment_Data

Segment Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Data [Abstract]	'
Segment Data	'
	(15) Segment Data
	The Company’s operations are classified into two reportable business segments as follows:
	Marine Transportation — Marine transportation principally by United States flag vessels of liquid cargoes throughout the United States inland waterway system, along all three United States coasts, Alaska and Hawaii and, to a lesser extent, United States coastal transportation of dry-bulk cargoes. The principal products transported include petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals.
	Diesel Engine Services — Provides after-market services for medium-speed and high-speed diesel engines, reduction gears and ancillary products for marine and power generation applications, and distributes and services high-speed diesel engines, transmissions, pumps and compression products, and manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, for the land-based pressure pumping and oilfield service markets.
	The Company’s two reportable business segments are managed separately based on fundamental differences in their operations. The Company’s accounting policies for the business segments are the same as those described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on the contributions to operating income of the respective segments, and before income taxes, interest, gains or losses on disposition of assets, other nonoperating income, noncontrolling interests, accounting changes, and nonrecurring items. Intersegment sales for 2013, 2012 and 2011 were not significant.
	The following table sets forth by reportable segment the revenues, profit or loss, total assets, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures attributable to the principal activities of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues:
	Marine transportation	$	1,713,167		$	1,408,893		$	1,194,607
	Diesel engine services		529,028			703,765			655,810
		$	2,242,195		$	2,112,658		$	1,850,417
	Segment profit (loss):
	Marine transportation	$	408,255		$	311,755		$	262,193
	Diesel engine services		42,767			66,386			68,105
	Other		(42,344	)		(37,615	)		(35,551	)
		$	408,678		$	340,526		$	294,747
	Total assets:
	Marine transportation	$	3,046,692		$	2,951,723		$	2,307,821
	Diesel engine services		576,472			647,986			608,886
	Other		59,353			53,419			43,704
		$	3,682,517		$	3,653,128		$	2,960,411
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Marine transportation	$	149,574		$	129,857		$	111,292
	Diesel engine services		11,096			12,030			11,801
	Other		3,767			3,260			2,936
		$	164,437		$	145,147		$	126,029
	Capital expenditures:
	Marine transportation	$	237,964		$	274,351		$	218,777
	Diesel engine services		4,658			20,477			5,576
	Other		10,605			17,339			1,885
		$	253,227		$	312,167		$	226,238
	The following table presents the details of “Other” segment profit (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	General corporate expenses	$	(15,728	)	$	(13,294	)	$	(17,915	)
	Interest expense		(27,872	)		(24,385	)		(17,902	)
	Gain (loss) on disposition of assets		888			(14	)		(40	)
	Other income		368			78			306
		$	(42,344	)	$	(37,615	)	$	(35,551	)
	The following table presents the details of “Other” total assets as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	General corporate assets	$	57,197		$	51,611		$	40,022
	Investment in affiliates		2,156			1,808			3,682
		$	59,353		$	53,419		$	43,704

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	(16) Related Party Transactions
	Richard J. Alario, a current director of the Company, is the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Key Energy Services, Inc. (“Key Energy”).  Key Energy paid the Company $1,973,000 in 2013, $13,152,000 in 2012 and $7,978,000 in 2011 for oilfield service equipment and for parts and service. Such sales and service were in the ordinary course of business of the Company.
	The Company is a 50% owner of The Hollywood Camp, L.L.C. (“The Hollywood Camp”), a company that owns and operates a hunting and fishing facility used by the Company primarily for customer entertainment.  The Hollywood Camp allocates lease and lodging expenses to its members based on their usage of the facilities.  Key Energy paid The Hollywood Camp $1,112,000 in 2013 and $463,000 in 2012 for use of the facility.
	William M. Waterman, elected to the Company Board of Directors on December 31, 2012, is the former President and owner (together with his family members) of Penn but resigned as an officer and director of Penn and affiliated companies contemporaneously with the closing of the acquisition of Penn by the Company.  A portion of the purchase price consisting of approximately $24,000,000 in cash and 83,825 shares of Kirby stock is held in escrow to secure the sellers’ indemnification of the Company for breaches of representations and warranties in the purchase agreement.  Except to the extent of pending claims, if any, the escrow will terminate on March 31, 2014.
	The husband of Amy D. Husted, Vice President — Legal of the Company, is a partner in the law firm of Strasburger & Price, LLP. The Company paid the law firm $851,000 in 2013, $384,000 in 2012 and $483,000 in 2011 for legal services in connection with matters in the ordinary course of business of the Company.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles Of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Kirby Corporation and all majority-owned subsidiaries (“the Company”). Two affiliated limited partnerships, in which the Company owns a 50% interest, is the general partner and has effective control and whose activities are an integral part of the operations of the Company, are consolidated. All other investments in which the Company owns 20% to 50% and exercises significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to reflect the current presentation of financial information.
Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of all short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at date of purchase.
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable. In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to its customers. The Company regularly reviews the accounts and makes adequate provisions for probable uncollectible balances. It is the Company’s opinion that the accounts have no impairment, other than that for which provisions have been made. Included in accounts receivable as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $69,481,000 and $81,447,000, respectively, of accruals for revenues earned which have not been invoiced as of the end of each year.
	The Company’s marine transportation and diesel engine services operations are subject to hazards associated with such businesses. The Company maintains insurance coverage against these hazards with insurance companies. Included in accounts receivable as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $22,396,000 and $20,953,000, respectively, of receivables from insurance companies to cover claims in excess of the Company’s deductible.
Concentrations Of Credit Risk	'
	Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily trade accounts receivables. The Company’s marine transportation customers include the major oil refining and petrochemical companies. The diesel engine services customers are oil and gas service companies, marine transportation companies, commercial fishing companies, power generation companies, and the United States government. The Company regularly reviews its accounts and estimates the amount of uncollectible receivables each period and establishes an allowance for uncollectible amounts. The amount of the allowance is based on the age of unpaid amounts, information about the current financial strength of customers, and other relevant information. Estimates of uncollectible amounts are revised each period, and changes are recorded in the period they become known.
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities have carrying values that approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of the Company’s debt instruments is more fully described in Note 6, Long-Term Debt.
Property, Maintenance And Repairs	'
	Property, Maintenance and Repairs. Property is recorded at cost. Improvements and betterments are capitalized as incurred. Depreciation is recorded on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets as follows: marine transportation equipment, 5-40 years; buildings, 10-40 years; other equipment, 2-10 years; and leasehold improvements, term of lease. When property items are retired, sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts with any gain or loss on the disposition included in the statement of earnings. Maintenance and repairs on vessels built for use on the inland waterways are charged to operating expense as incurred and includes the costs incurred in United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) inspections unless the shipyard extends the life or improves the operating capacity of the vessel which results in the costs being capitalized.
Drydocking On Ocean-Going Vessels	'
	Drydocking on Ocean-Going Vessels. The Company’s ocean-going vessels are subject to regulatory drydocking requirements after certain periods of time to be inspected, have planned major maintenance performed and be recertified by the American Bureau of Shipping (“ABS”). These recertifications generally occur twice in a five year period. The Company defers the drydocking expenditures incurred on its ocean-going vessels due to regulatory marine inspections by the ABS and amortizes the costs of the shipyard over the period between drydockings, generally 30 or 60 months, depending on the type of major maintenance performed. Drydocking expenditures that extend the life or improve the operating capability of the vessel result in the costs being capitalized. Routine repairs and maintenance on ocean-going vessels are expensed as incurred.
Environmental Liabilities	'
	Environmental Liabilities. The Company expenses costs related to environmental events as they are incurred or when a loss is considered probable and estimable.
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in transactions accounted for as a purchase is included in goodwill. The Company conducted its annual goodwill impairment test at November 30, 2013 and 2012. For 2013 and 2012, the Company noted no impairment of goodwill. The Company will continue to conduct goodwill impairment tests as of November 30 of subsequent years, or whenever events or circumstances indicate that interim impairment testing is necessary. The gross carrying value of goodwill at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $608,872,000 and $613,497,000, respectively and accumulated amortization at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $15,566,000. Accumulated impairment losses were $1,901,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Net goodwill for the marine transportation segment was $381,243,000 and $385,868,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net goodwill for the diesel engine services segment was $210,162,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition. The majority of marine transportation revenue is derived from term contracts, ranging from one to five years, some of which have renewal options, and the remainder is from spot market movements. The majority of the term contracts are for terms of one year. The Company is a provider of marine transportation services for its customers and, in almost all cases, does not assume ownership of the products it transports. A term contract is an agreement with a specific customer to transport cargo from a designated origin to a designated destination at a set rate or at a daily rate. The rate may or may not escalate during the term of the contract, however, the base rate generally remains constant and contracts often include escalation provisions to recover changes in specific costs such as fuel. A spot contract is an agreement with a customer to move cargo from a specific origin to a designated destination for a rate negotiated at the time the cargo movement takes place. Spot contract rates are at the current “market” rate, including fuel, and are subject to market volatility. The Company uses a voyage accounting method of revenue recognition for its marine transportation revenues which allocates voyage revenue based on the percent of the voyage completed during the period. There is no difference in the recognition of revenue between a term contract and a spot contract.
	Diesel engine service products and services are generally sold based upon purchase orders or preferential service agreements with the customer that include fixed or determinable prices and that do not include right of return or significant post-delivery performance obligations. Diesel engine parts sales are recognized when title passes upon shipment to customers or when customer-specific acceptance requirements are met. Service revenue is recognized as the service is provided. Diesel manufacturing and assembly projects revenue is reported on the percentage of completion method of accounting using measurements of progress towards completion appropriate for the work performed.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation. The Company has share-based compensation plans covering selected officers and other key employees as well as the Company’s Board of Directors. Stock-based grants made under the Company’s stock plans are recorded at fair value on the date of the grant and the cost is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the stock option or restricted stock. Stock option grants are valued at the date of grant as calculated under the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company’s stock-based compensation plans are more fully described in Note 9, Stock Award Plans.
Taxes On Income	'
	Accrued Insurance. Accrued insurance liabilities include estimates based on individual incurred claims outstanding and an estimated amount for losses incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) or fully developed based on past experience. Insurance premiums, IBNR losses and incurred claim losses, in excess of the Company’s deductible for 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $22,971,000, $17,876,000 and $18,673,000, respectively.
Accrued Insurance	'
	Accrued Insurance. Accrued insurance liabilities include estimates based on individual incurred claims outstanding and an estimated amount for losses incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) or fully developed based on past experience. Insurance premiums, IBNR losses and incurred claim losses, in excess of the Company’s deductible for 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $22,971,000, $17,876,000 and $18,673,000, respectively.
Noncontrolling Interests	'
	Noncontrolling Interests. The Company has a majority interest in and is the general partner in several affiliated entities. In situations where losses applicable to the minority interest in the affiliated entities exceed the limited partners’ equity capital, such excess and any further loss attributable to the minority interest is charged against the Company’s interest in the affiliated entities. If future earnings materialize in the respective affiliated entities, the Company’s interest would be credited to the extent of any losses previously absorbed.
Treasury Stock	'
	Treasury Stock. The Company follows the average cost method of accounting for treasury stock transactions.
Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets And For Long-Lived Assets To Be Disposed Of	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of. The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles for impairment by vessel class whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.
	Recoverability on marine transportation assets is assessed based on vessel classes, not on individual assets, because identifiable cash flows for individual marine transportation assets are not available. Projecting customer contract volumes allows estimation of future cash flows by projecting pricing and utilization by vessel class but it is not practical to project which individual marine transportation asset will be utilized for any given contract. Because customers do not specify which particular vessel is used, prices are quoted based on vessel classes not individual assets. Nominations of vessels for specific jobs are determined on a day by day basis and are a function of the equipment class required and the geographic position of vessels within that class at that particular time as vessels within a class are interchangeable and provide the same service. The Company’s vessels are mobile assets and equipped to operate in geographic regions throughout the United States and the Company has in the past and expects to continue to move vessels from one region to another when it is necessary due to changing markets and it is economical to do so. Barge vessel classes are based on similar capacities, hull type, and type of product and towing vessels are based on similar hull type and horsepower. Recoverability of the vessel classes is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Schedule of pro forma revenues, basic and diluted net earnings per share	'
	The following table sets forth the Company’s pro forma revenues, net earnings attributable to Kirby, basic net earnings per share and fully diluted net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		2013		2012		2011
		Audited		Audited		Pro forma
						Unaudited
	Revenues	$	2,242,195	$	2,112,658	$	2,105,904
	Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$	253,061	$	209,438	$	172,426
	Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
	Basic	$	4.46	$	3.75	$	3.1
	Diluted	$	4.44	$	3.73	$	3.09

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Schedule of details of inventories	'
	The following table presents the details of inventories as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		December 31,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Finished goods	$	120,751	$	162,859
	Work in process		15,136		14,538
		$	135,887	$	177,397

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of summarized assets and liabilities measured at fair value on recurring basis	'
	The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant		Total
		in Active		Other		Unobservable		Fair Value
		Markets for		Observable		Inputs		Measurements
		Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	December 31, 2013:
	Assets:
	Derivatives	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	—	$	59	$	—	$	59
	Contingent liabilities		—		—		4,903		4,903
		$	—	$	59	$	4,903	$	4,962
		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant		Total
		in Active		Other		Unobservable		Fair Value
		Markets for		Observable		Inputs		Measurements
		Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	December 31, 2012:
	Assets:
	Derivatives	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives	$	—	$	1,525	$	—	$	1,525
	Contingent liability		—		—		28,067		28,067
		$	—	$	1,525	$	28,067	$	29,592

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Liabilities	'
	The following table sets forth the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments recorded as liabilities located on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
	Liability Derivatives	Balance Sheet Location	2013			2012
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815:
	Foreign currency contracts	Other accrued liabilities	$	59		$	—
	Foreign currency contracts	Other long-term liabilities		—			39
	Interest rate contracts	Other accrued liabilities		—			1,486
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815		$	59		$	1,525
	Total liability derivatives		$	59		$	1,525
Cash Flow Hedges	'
	The following table sets forth the location and amount of gains and losses on the Company’s derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
	Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash	Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified		Amount of Gain (Loss)
		from Accumulated OCI into Income		Recognized in OCI on Derivatives
				(Effective Portion)
	Flow Hedging Relationships:	(Effective Portion)		2013			2012			2011
	Interest rate contracts	Interest expense	$	1,486		$	7,716		$	7,007
	Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of sales and operating expenses		(23	)		346			929
	Total		$	1,463		$	8,062		$	7,936
	Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash	Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified	Amount of Gain (Loss)
		from Accumulated OCI into Income	Reclassified from
			Accumulated OCI into Income
			(Effective Portion)
	Flow Hedging Relationships:	(Effective Portion)	2013			2012			2011
	Interest rate contracts	Interest expense	$	(1,389	)	$	(8,321	)	$	(8,586	)
	Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of sales and operating expenses		—			19			(13	)
	Total		$	(1,389	)	$	(8,302	)	$	(8,599	)

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		2013		2012
	Long-term debt, including current portion:
	$150,000,000 senior notes Series A due February 27, 2020	$	150,000	$	82,500
	$350,000,000 senior notes Series B due February 27, 2023		350,000		192,500
	$540,000,000 term loan due July 1, 2016		208,000		468,000
	$325,000,000 revolving credit facility due November 9, 2015		41,150		185,000
	$10,000,000 credit line due June 29, 2014		—		7,110
	Senior notes due February 28, 2013		—		200,000
		$	749,150	$	1,135,110
Schedule Of Aggregate Payments Due On The Long-Term Debt	'
	The aggregate payments due on the long-term debt in each of the next five years were as follows (in thousands):
	2014	$	—
	2015		41,150
	2016		208,000
	2017		—
	2018		—
	Thereafter		500,000
		$	749,150

Taxes_on_Income_Tables

Taxes on Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Taxes on Income [Abstract]	'
Earnings Before Taxes	'
	Earnings before taxes on income and details of the provision for taxes on income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Earnings before taxes on income — United States	$	408,678		$	340,526		$	294,747
	Provision for taxes on income:
	Federal:
	Current	$	41,008		$	41,297		$	33,640
	Deferred		97,586			71,767			65,451
	State and local		13,785			14,843			10,164
		$	152,379		$	127,907		$	109,255
Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
	The Company’s provision for taxes on income varied from the statutory federal income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 due to the following:
		2013			2012			2011
	United States income tax statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State and local taxes, net of federal benefit		2.2			2.8			2.2
	Other – net		0.1			(.2	)		(.1	)
			37.3	%		37.6	%		37.1	%
Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities	'
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the current deferred tax assets and non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Current deferred tax assets:
	Compensated absences	$	782		$	750
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		1,927			1,652
	Insurance accruals		2,572			3,306
	Other		4,177			6,588
		$	9,458		$	12,296
	Non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities:
	Deferred tax assets:
	Postretirement health care benefits	$	3,015		$	3,215
	Insurance accruals		2,781			1,556
	Deferred compensation		9,526			8,449
	Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments		51			563
	Unrealized loss on defined benefit plans		9,379			33,942
	Operating loss carryforwards		5,699			601
	Other		17,925			13,443
			48,376			61,769
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property		(487,187	)		(408,905	)
	Deferred state taxes		(46,798	)		(39,072	)
	Pension benefits		(13,063	)		(18,794	)
	Goodwill and other intangibles		(26,120	)		(20,220	)
	Other		(19,318	)		(874	)
			(592,486	)		(487,865	)
		$	(544,110	)	$	(426,096	)
Reconciliation Of Liability For Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, is as follows (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance at beginning of year	$	1,045		$	1,532		$	2,088
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		239			165			602
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		114			53			402
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(413	)		(502	)		(738	)
	Settlements		(36	)		(203	)		(822	)
	Balance at end of year	$	949		$	1,045		$	1,532

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Rent Expense	'
	Total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows (in thousands):
		2013		2012		2011
	Rental expense:
	Marine equipment — barges	$	20,841	$	23,835	$	16,396
	Marine equipment — towing vessels		124,877		97,428		91,796
	Other buildings and equipment		10,298		9,952		8,156
	Rental expense	$	156,016	$	131,215	$	116,348
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Leases	'
	Future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
				Marine Equipment
		Land, Buildings		Barges		Towing		Total
		and Equipment				Vessels
	2014	$	7,595	$	18,365	$	75,175	$	101,135
	2015		6,655		16,267		46,828		69,750
	2016		6,128		12,112		12,764		31,004
	2017		5,261		10,773		4,027		20,061
	2018		4,691		9,654		—		14,345
	Thereafter		18,883		10,426		—		29,309
		$	49,213	$	77,597	$	138,794	$	265,604

Stock_Award_Plans_Tables

Stock Award Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]	'
Compensation Cost Breakdown In Statement Of Earnings	'
	The Company has share-based compensation plans which are described below. 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 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):
			2013				2012				2011
	Compensation cost		$	11,621			$	9,796			$	9,228
	Income tax benefit		$	4,370			$	3,644			$	3,534
Summary Of Stock Option Activity Under Employee Plans	'
	The following is a summary of the stock option activity under the employee plan described above for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			Outstanding				Weighted
			Non-Qualified or				Average
			Nonincentive				Exercise
			Stock Awards				Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2010			434,447			$	33.53
	Granted			103,021			$	47.01
	Exercised			(91,794	)		$	32.75
	Canceled or expired			—			$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011			445,674			$	36.81
	Granted			99,906			$	65.8
	Exercised			(191,955	)		$	35.65
	Canceled or expired			(2,452	)		$	58.28
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			351,173			$	45.54
	Granted			111,527			$	70.94
	Exercised			(83,096	)		$	34.51
	Canceled or expired			—			$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			379,604			$	55.42
	The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options under the employee plan at December 31, 2013:
				Options Outstanding													Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices			Number				Weighted				Weighted			Aggregated		Number		Weighted				Aggregated
				Outstanding				Average				Average			Intrinsic		Exercisable		Average				Intrinsic
								Remaining				Exercise			Value				Exercise				Value
								Contractual				Price							Price
								Life in
								Years
	$31.35 — $36.35				79,199				3.1			$	32.62					79,199			$	32.62
	$46.74				97,703				4.1			$	46.74					64,173			$	46.74
	$65.28 — $66.72				96,311				5.1			$	65.81					31,798			$	65.81
	$70.65				104,424				6.1			$	70.65					─			$	─
	$86.96				1,967				6.6			$	86.96					─			$	─
	$31.35 — $86.96				379,604				4.7			$	55.42	$	16,639,000			175,170			$	43.81	$9,711,000
	The following is a summary of the stock option activity under the director plan described above for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			Outstanding				Weighted
			Non-Qualified or				Average
			Nonincentive				Exercise
			Stock Awards				Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2010			356,429			$	34.88
	Granted			60,552			$	56.42
	Exercised			(63,356	)		$	32.17
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011			353,625			$	39.05
	Granted			66,306			$	62.39
	Exercised			(73,993	)		$	28.22
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			345,938			$	45.84
	Granted			54,958			$	75.17
	Exercised			(80,574	)		$	46.75
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			320,322			$	50.64
	The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options under the director plan at December 31, 2013:
				Options Outstanding												Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices			Number				Weighted				Weighted		Aggregate		Number			Weighted			Aggregate
				Outstanding				Average				Average		Intrinsic		Exercisable			Average			Intrinsic
								Remaining				Exercise		Value					Exercise			Value
								Contractual				Price							Price
								Life in
								Years
	$17.88				12,000				0.3			$	17.88				12,000		$	17.88
	$20.28 — $29.60				36,000				4			$	26.49				36,000		$	26.49
	$35.17 — $36.82				50,036				2.7			$	35.8				50,036		$	35.8
	$41.24 — $56.45				119,022				6			$	52.05				119,022		$	52.05
	$61.89 — $62.48				54,306				8.5			$	62.37				54,306		$	62.37
	$75.17				48,958				9.3			$	75.17				48,718		$	75.17
	$17.88 — $75.17				320,322				6			$	50.64	$15,569,000			320,082		$	50.63		$15,564,000
Summary Of Restricted Stock Award Activity	'
	The following is a summary of the restricted stock award activity under the employee plan described above for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			Unvested				Weighted
			Restricted				Average
			Stock				Grant Date
			Award				Fair Value
			Shares				Per Share
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2010			499,335			$	31.98
	Granted			150,612			$	46.5
	Vested			(163,480	)		$	33.27
	Forfeited			(10,835	)		$	38.9
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2011			475,632			$	36.43
	Granted			121,953			$	67.79
	Vested			(168,166	)		$	35.43
	Forfeited			(11,291	)		$	58.64
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2012			418,128			$	45.39
	Granted			139,971			$	69.85
	Vested			(149,162	)		$	44.3
	Forfeited			(9,659	)		$	61.2
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2013			399,278			$	54.92
	The following is a summary of the restricted stock award activity under the director plan described above for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
			Unvested				Weighted
			Restricted Stock				Average
			Award Shares				Grant Date
							Fair Value
							Per Share
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2010			525			$	41.33
	Granted			11,990			$	56.85
	Vested			(10,767	)		$	55.9
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2011			1,748			$	58.07
	Granted			10,383			$	62.99
	Vested			(11,783	)		$	62.26
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2012			348			$	62.99
	Granted			10,536			$	75.65
	Vested			(10,500	)		$	75.23
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2013			384			$	75.65
Summary Of Stock Option Valuation Assumptions	'
	The key input variables used in valuing the stock options during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:
		2013				2012					2011
	Dividend yield	None				None				None
	Average risk-free interest rate			1.1	%			1.1	%			2.4	%
	Stock price volatility			34	%			33	%			33	%
	Estimated option term	Six years or				Six years or				Six years or
		seven years				seven years				seven years

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Summary Of Asset Allocation	'
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, these assets were allocated among asset categories as follows:
	Asset Category		2013				2012				Current Minimum,
											Target and
											Maximum Allocation Policy
	U.S. equity securities			51	%			44	%			30% — 50% — 70	%
	International equity securities			21	%			18	%			0% — 20% — 30	%
	Debt securities			28	%			26	%			15% — 30% — 55	%
	Cash and cash equivalents			—	%			12	%			0% — 0% — 5	%
				100	%			100	%
Schedule Of Change In Benefit Obligation	'
	The following table presents the change in benefit obligation and plan assets for the Company’s defined benefit plans and postretirement benefit plan (in thousands):
																		Other Postretirement
																		Benefits
			Pension Benefits															Postretirement
			Pension Plan								SERP							Welfare Plan
			2013				2012				2013				2012			2013			2012
	Change in benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	266,911			$	216,926			$	1,746			$	1,645		$	2,854		$	3,014
	Service cost			12,824				10,206				—				—			—			—
	Interest cost			11,400				10,506				70				73			112			133
	Actuarial loss (gain)			(35,767	)			34,084				(138	)			131			(600	)		(235	)
	Gross benefits paid			(5,408	)			(4,811	)			(149	)			(103	)		(59	)		(58	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year		$	249,960			$	266,911			$	1,529			$	1,746		$	2,307		$	2,854
	Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year		$	200,577			$	214,951			$	1,529			$	1,746		$	—		$	—
Weighted-Average Assumption Used To Determine Benefit Obligation And Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Weighted-average assumption used to determine benefit obligation at end of year
	Discount rate			5	%			4.1	%			5	%			4.1	%		5	%		4.1	%
	Rate of compensation increase			4.25	%			4.25	%			—				—			—			—
	Health care cost trend rate
	Initial rate			—				—				—				—			7	%		7.5	%
	Ultimate rate			—				—				—				—			5	%		5	%
	Years to ultimate			—				—				—				—			2018			2018
	Increase		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	202		$	267
	Decrease			—				—				—				—			(178	)		(234	)
Effect Of One-Percentage-Point Change In Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate	'
	Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on postretirement obligation
	Increase		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	202		$	267
	Decrease			—				—				—				—			(178	)		(234	)
Summary Of Change In Plan Assets	'
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		$	217,811			$	174,223			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—
	Actual return on plan assets			42,120				23,399				—				—			—			—
	Employer contribution			—				25,000				149				103			59			58
	Gross benefits paid			(5,408	)			(4,811	)			(149	)			(103	)		(59	)		(58	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$	254,523			$	217,811			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—
Summary Of Funded Status At End Of Year	'
																		Other Postretirement
																		Benefits
			Pension Benefits															Postretirement
			Pension Plan								SERP							Welfare Plan
			2013				2012				2013				2012			2013			2012
	Funded status at end of year
	Fair value of plan assets		$	254,523			$	217,811			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—
	Benefit obligations			249,960				266,911				1,529				1,746			2,307			2,854
	Funded status and amount recognized at end of year		$	4,563			$	(49,100	)		$	(1,529	)		$	(1,746	)	$	(2,307	)	$	(2,854	)
Amounts Recognized In The Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
	Noncurrent asset		$	4,563			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	—		$	—
	Current liability			—				—				(140	)			(101	)		(197	)		(223	)
	Long-term liability			—				(49,100	)			(1,389	)			(1,645	)		(2,110	)		(2,631	)
Amounts Recognized In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
	Net actuarial loss (gain)		$	32,760			$	102,795			$	402			$	559		$	(6,364	)	$	(6,378	)
	Prior service cost (credit)			—				—				—				—			—			—
	Accumulated other compensation income		$	32,760			$	102,795			$	402			$	559		$	(6,364	)	$	(6,378	)
Projected Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets	'
	The projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits
		Pension Plan								SERP
		2013				2012				2013				2012
	Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$		—		$		266,911		$		1,529		$		1,746
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year			—				217,811				—				—
Accumulated Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets	'
	The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits
		Pension Plan								SERP
		2013				2012				2013				2012
	Accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$		—		$		—		$		1,529		$		1,746
	Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year			—				—				1,529				1,746
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year			—				—				—				—
Schedule Of Employer Contribution	'
	The following tables presents the expected cash flows for the Company’s defined benefit plans and postretirement benefit plan at December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
																		Other Postretirement
																		Benefits
			Pension Benefits															Postretirement
			Pension Plan								SERP							Welfare Plan
			2013				2012				2013				2012			2013			2012
	Expected employer contributions
	First year		$	—			$	3,400			$	144			$	101		$	202		$	223
Expected Benefit Payments	'
																		Other Postretirement
																		Benefits
			Pension Benefits															Postretirement
			Pension Plan								SERP							Welfare Plan
			2013				2012				2013				2012			2013			2012
	Expected benefit payments (gross)
	Year one		$	6,538			$	6,213			$	144			$	101		$	215		$	237
	Year two			6,996				6,545				142				100			218			242
	Year three			7,598				6,992				149				98			219			245
	Year four			8,321				7,579				154				105			229			245
	Year five			9,140				8,265				151				109			226			255
	Next five years			59,242				53,734				663				616			976			1,154
Summary Of Expected Federal Subsidy	'
																		Other Postretirement
																		Benefits
			Pension Benefits															Postretirement
			Pension Plan								SERP							Welfare Plan
			2013				2012				2013				2012			2013			2012
	Expected federal subsidy
	Year one		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	(13	)	$	(14	)
	Year two			—				—				—				—			(13	)		(14	)
	Year three			—				—				—				—			(13	)		(14	)
	Year four			—				—				—				—			(12	)		(14	)
	Year five			—				—				—				—			(12	)		(14	)
	Next five years			—				—				—				—			(55	)		(62	)
Pension Benefits [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Weighted-Average Assumption Used To Determine Benefit Obligation And Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
	Discount rate			4.1	%			4.6	%			5.5	%			4.1	%		4.6	%		5.5	%
	Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets			7.5	%			7.5	%			7.5	%			—			—			—
	Rate of compensation increase			4.25	%			4.25	%			4.25	%			—			—			—
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Components of net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost		$	12,824			$	10,206			$	7,303			$	—		$	—		$	—
	Interest cost			11,400				10,506				9,693				70			73			80
	Expected return on plan assets			(16,127	)			(12,872	)			(11,283	)			—			—			—
	Amortization:
	Actuarial loss			8,276				7,395				2,859				19			14			7
	Prior service credit			—				—				(38	)			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost			16,373				15,235				8,534				89			87			87
	Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
	Current year actuarial loss (gain)			(61,759	)			23,557				46,444				(138	)		131			156
	Recognition of actuarial loss			(8,276	)			(7,395	)			(2,859	)			(19	)		(14	)		(7	)
	Recognition of prior service credit			—				—				38				—			—			—
	Total recognized in other comprehensive income			(70,035	)			16,162				43,623				(157	)		117			149
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income		$	(53,662	)		$	31,397			$	52,157			$	(68	)	$	204		$	236
Estimated Amounts That Will Be Amortized From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Into Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits
		Pension Plan				SERP
	Actuarial loss		$	784			$	16
	Prior service credit			—				—
			$	784			$	16
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Weighted-Average Assumption Used To Determine Benefit Obligation And Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
	Discount rate			4.1	%			4.6	%			5.5	%
	Health care cost trend rate:
	Initial rate			7.5	%			7.5	%			8	%
	Ultimate rate			5	%			5	%			5	%
	Years to ultimate			2018				2017				2017
Effect Of One-Percentage-Point Change In Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate	'
	Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on aggregate service and interest cost
	Increase		$	10			$	13			$	16
	Decrease			(9	)			(11	)			(14	)
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Components of net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost		$	—			$	—			$	—
	Interest cost			112				133				164
	Curtailment loss			—				—				119
	Amortization:
	Actuarial gain			(620	)			(618	)			(593	)
	Prior service cost			—				—				40
	Net periodic benefit cost			(508	)			(485	)			(270	)
	Other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
	Current year actuarial gain			(600	)			(235	)			182
	Recognition of actuarial gain			620				618				593
	Recognition of prior service cost			—				—				(158	)
	Adjustment for actual Medicare Part D reimbursement			(5	)			(10	)			(3	)
	Total recognized in other comprehensive income			15				373				614
				)
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income		$	(493	)		$	(112	)		$	344
Estimated Amounts That Will Be Amortized From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Into Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
				Other Postretirement Benefits
				Postretirement Welfare Plan
	Actuarial gain		$	(649	)
	Prior service cost			—
			$	(649	)

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Schedule of changes in other comprehensive income	'
	The Company’s changes in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):
			2013									2012									2011
			Gross			Income Tax			Net			Gross			Income Tax			Net			Gross			Income Tax			Net
			Amount			(Provision)			Amount			Amount			(Provision)			Amount			Amount			(Provision)			Amount
						Benefit									Benefit									Benefit
	Pension and postretirement benefits (a):
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		$	7,675		$	(2,942	)	$	4,733		$	6,791		$	(2,603	)	$	4,188		$	2,275		$	(871	)	$	1,404
	Actuarial gains (losses)			62,503			(23,962	)		38,541			(23,443	)		8,985			(14,458	)		(46,652	)		17,865			(28,787	)
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			108			—			108			102			—			102			(350	)		—			(350	)
	Change in fair value of derivative instruments (b):
	Unrealized gains (losses)			2,851			(996	)		1,855			16,364			(5,775	)		10,589			16,713			(6,004	)		10,709
	Reclassified to net earnings			(1,389	)		486			(903	)		(8,302	)		2,930			(5,372	)		(8,599	)		3,089			(5,510	)
	Total		$	71,748		$	(27,414	)	$	44,334		$	(8,488	)	$	3,537		$	(4,951	)	$	(36,613	)	$	14,079		$	(22,534	)
	(a)	Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into costs of sales and operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses as appropriate. (See Note 10 – Retirement Plans)
	(b)	Reclassifications to net earnings of derivatives qualifying as effective hedges are recognized in interest expense or costs of sales and operating expenses as appropriate. (See Note 5 – Derivative Instruments)

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table presents the components of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		2013			2012			2011
	Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$	253,061		$	209,438		$	183,026
	Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares		(1,819	)		(1,618	)		(1,613	)
	Income available to Kirby common stockholders — basic		251,242			207,820			181,413
	Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares		1,819			1,618			1,613
	Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares		(1,813	)		(1,612	)		(1,606	)
	Income available to Kirby common stockholders — diluted	$	251,248		$	207,826		$	181,420
	Shares outstanding:
	Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding		56,762			55,897			54,673
	Weighted average unvested restricted stock		(408	)		(431	)		(482	)
	Weighted average common stock outstanding		56,354			55,466			54,191
	— basic
	Dilutive effect of stock options		198			208			222
	Weighted average common stock outstanding		56,552			55,674			54,413
	— diluted
	Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
	Basic	$	4.46		$	3.75		$	3.35
	Diluted	$	4.44		$	3.73		$	3.33

Quarterly_Results_Unaudited_Ta

Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Results (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Quarterly Results	'
	The unaudited quarterly results for the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2013			2013			2013
	Revenues	$	558,785		$	563,908		$	551,105		$	568,397
	Costs and expenses		458,904			455,193			432,991			459,813
	Gain (loss) on disposition of assets		(32	)		537			223			160
	Operating income		99,849			109,252			118,337			108,744
	Other income		75			101			60			132
	Interest expense		(7,988	)		(7,219	)		(6,694	)		(5,971	)
	Earnings before taxes on income		91,936			102,134			111,703			102,905
	Provision for taxes on income		(34,384	)		(38,342	)		(42,007	)		(37,646	)
	Net earnings		57,552			63,792			69,696			65,259
	Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		(974	)		(699	)		(573	)		(992	)
	Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$	56,578		$	63,093		$	69,123		$	64,267
	Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
	Basic	$	1		$	1.11		$	1.22		$	1.13
	Diluted	$	1		$	1.11		$	1.21		$	1.13
	The unaudited quarterly results for the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 30,			December 31,
		2012			2012			2012			2012
	Revenues	$	566,935		$	511,848		$	521,324		$	512,551
	Costs and expenses		477,847			428,219			428,647			413,098
	Gain (loss) on disposition of assets		(28	)		69			(40	)		(15	)
	Operating income		89,060			83,698			92,637			99,438
	Other income (expense)		149			30			(56	)		(45	)
	Interest expense		(5,840	)		(5,901	)		(6,056	)		(6,588	)
	Earnings before taxes on income		83,369			77,827			86,525			92,805
	Provision for taxes on income		(31,490	)		(29,392	)		(32,794	)		(34,231	)
	Net earnings		51,879			48,435			53,731			58,574
	Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		(935	)		(884	)		(676	)		(686	)
	Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$	50,944		$	47,551		$	53,055		$	57,888
	Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
	Basic	$	0.91		$	0.85		$	0.95		$	1.03
	Diluted	$	0.91		$	0.85		$	0.95		$	1.03

Segment_Data_Tables

Segment Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Data [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	The following table sets forth by reportable segment the revenues, profit or loss, total assets, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures attributable to the principal activities of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues:
	Marine transportation	$	1,713,167		$	1,408,893		$	1,194,607
	Diesel engine services		529,028			703,765			655,810
		$	2,242,195		$	2,112,658		$	1,850,417
	Segment profit (loss):
	Marine transportation	$	408,255		$	311,755		$	262,193
	Diesel engine services		42,767			66,386			68,105
	Other		(42,344	)		(37,615	)		(35,551	)
		$	408,678		$	340,526		$	294,747
	Total assets:
	Marine transportation	$	3,046,692		$	2,951,723		$	2,307,821
	Diesel engine services		576,472			647,986			608,886
	Other		59,353			53,419			43,704
		$	3,682,517		$	3,653,128		$	2,960,411
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Marine transportation	$	149,574		$	129,857		$	111,292
	Diesel engine services		11,096			12,030			11,801
	Other		3,767			3,260			2,936
		$	164,437		$	145,147		$	126,029
	Capital expenditures:
	Marine transportation	$	237,964		$	274,351		$	218,777
	Diesel engine services		4,658			20,477			5,576
	Other		10,605			17,339			1,885
		$	253,227		$	312,167		$	226,238
Schedule of Other Segment Reporting Information	'
	The following table presents the details of “Other” segment profit (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	General corporate expenses	$	(15,728	)	$	(13,294	)	$	(17,915	)
	Interest expense		(27,872	)		(24,385	)		(17,902	)
	Gain (loss) on disposition of assets		888			(14	)		(40	)
	Other income		368			78			306
		$	(42,344	)	$	(37,615	)	$	(35,551	)
	The following table presents the details of “Other” total assets as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		2013			2012			2011
	General corporate assets	$	57,197		$	51,611		$	40,022
	Investment in affiliates		2,156			1,808			3,682
		$	59,353		$	53,419		$	43,704

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Limited partnership ownership (in hundredths)	50.00%	'	'
Accruals for revenues earned included in accounts receivable	$69,481,000	$81,447,000	'
Receivables from insurance companies to cover claims in excess included in accounts receivable	22,396,000	20,953,000	'
Period in which recertification of ocean going vessels occur twice	'5 years	'	'
Impairment of goodwill	0	0	'
Gross carrying value of goodwill	608,872,000	613,497,000	'
Accumulated amortization	15,566,000	15,566,000	'
Accumulated impairment losses	1,901,000	1,901,000	'
Net goodwill	591,405,000	596,030,000	'
Accrued insurance liabilities	22,971,000	17,876,000	18,673,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other investments ownership percentage (in hundredths)	20.00%	'	'
Period of amortization of shipyard costs	'30 months	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other investments ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.00%	'	'
Period of amortization of shipyard costs	'60 months	'	'
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	'10 years	'	'
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	'40 years	'	'
Other Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	'2 years	'	'
Other Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	'10 years	'	'
Marine Transportation Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	'5 years	'	'
Marine Transportation Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	'40 years	'	'
Marine Transportation Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net goodwill	381,243,000	385,868,000	'
Range of term contracts	'1 year	'	'
Marine Transportation Segment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of term contracts	'1 year	'	'
Marine Transportation Segment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Range of term contracts	'5 years	'	'
Diesel Engine Services Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net goodwill	$210,162,000	$210,162,000	'

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 28, 2012

Dec. 14, 2012

Dec. 14, 2012

Jul. 02, 2011

Jun. 28, 2011

Jun. 28, 2011

Jun. 28, 2011

Apr. 15, 2011

Dec. 15, 2011

Dec. 15, 2011

Feb. 24, 2011

Feb. 24, 2011

Feb. 24, 2011

Nov. 01, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Nov. 01, 2012

Nov. 01, 2012

Nov. 01, 2012

Feb. 09, 2011

Flag Service & Maintenance, Inc. [Member]

Penn Maritime Inc. and Maritime Investments LLC [Member]

Penn Maritime Inc. and Maritime Investments LLC [Member]

K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P. [Member]

K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P. [Member]

K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P. [Member]

K-Sea Transportation Partners L.P. [Member]

United Holdings LLC [Member]

Seaboats, Inc. [Member]

Seaboats, Inc. [Member]

Enterprise Marine Services LLC [Member]

Enterprise Marine Services LLC [Member]

Enterprise Marine Services LLC [Member]

Allied Transportation Company [Member]

Allied Transportation Company [Member]

Allied Transportation Company [Member]

Allied Transportation Company [Member]

Allied Transportation Company [Member]

Kinder Morgan Petcoke, L.P. [Member]

TankBarge

Tugboats [Member]

bbl

Tank Barges [Member]

Tugboats [Member]

Location

Tank Barges [Member]

Tank Barges [Member]

Towboat [Member]

bbl

Tank Barges [Member]

Offshore Dry Bulk Barges [Member]

Coastal Tugboats [Member]

bbl

ProductiveAsset

TankBarge

ProductiveAsset

ProductiveAsset

State

bbl

ProductiveAsset

ProductiveAsset

ProductiveAsset

T

ProductiveAsset

ProductiveAsset

ProductiveAsset

Business acquisition, consideration transferred [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash consideration paid

'

'

'

$6,864,000

$146,750,000

'

'

$227,617,000

'

'

$271,192,000

$42,745,000

'

$53,200,000

'

'

$108,547,000

'

'

'

'

$4,050,000

Total value of transaction

'

'

'

'

300,538,000

'

'

603,427,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock consideration through issuance of Company common stock

'

'

'

'

29,080,000

'

'

113,019,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issue of common stock (in shares)

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

1,939,234

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares issued per share (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$58.16

'

'

$58.28

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of doubled hulled tank barges

'

'

'

'

18

'

54

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capacity, in barrels, of purchased productive assets (in barrels)

'

'

'

'

1,900,000

'

3,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

80,000

'

'

'

680,000

'

'

'

'

'

Number of productive assets purchased

'

'

'

'

'

16

'

'

57

63

'

'

3

'

21

15

'

'

10

3

7

'

Useful life of purchased productive assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'9 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average amortization period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash to retire outstanding debt

'

'

'

'

124,708,000

'

'

262,791,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capacity, in deadweight tons of purchased productive assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,000

'

'

Acquisition and integration related costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of contingent earnout provision payable in 2014

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,756,000

'

'

'

'

'

Earnout provisional for payment to additional payables

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of operational locations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of operational states

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of ownership acquired (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51.00%

Noncontrolling interest attributable to parent (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49.00%

Purchase price of towboat

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,250,000

Payment of contingent liability

-5,000,000

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

Earnout provision period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Entity's pro forma revenues [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

2,242,195,000

2,112,658,000

2,105,904,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net earnings attributable to Kirby

$253,061,000

$209,438,000

$172,426,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic (in dollars per share)

$4.46

$3.75

$3.10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Diluted (in dollars per share)

$4.44

$3.73

$3.09

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Details of inventories [Abstract]	'	'
Finished goods	$120,751	$162,859
Work in process	15,136	14,538
Inventory, Net, Total	$135,887	$177,397

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 01, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 15, 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

Allied Transportation Company [Member]

Allied Transportation Company [Member]

Allied Transportation Company [Member]

Allied Transportation Company [Member]

United Holdings LLC [Member]

United Holdings LLC [Member]

United Holdings LLC [Member]

Recurring [Member]

Recurring [Member]

Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)

Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1)

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Recurring [Member]

Recurring [Member]

Recurring [Member]

Recurring [Member]

Recurring [Member]

Recurring [Member]

Assets [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Liabilities [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

59,000

1,525,000

0

0

59,000

1,525,000

0

0

Contingent liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,903,000

28,067,000

0

0

0

0

4,903,000

28,067,000

Liabilities fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,962,000

29,592,000

0

0

59,000

1,525,000

4,903,000

28,067,000

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earnout Provision

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value contingent earnout liability

'

'

'

'

4,903,000

'

9,756,000

0

18,300,000

16,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase (decrease) in fair value of earnout liability

'

'

'

'

136,000

11,000

'

-18,300,000

-4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payment of contingent liability

($5,000,000)

$0

$0

$5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative_Instruments_Fair_Va

Derivative Instruments (Fair Value of Derivative Instruments) (Details) (Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
			Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest rate contract [Member]	Interest rate contract [Member]	Foreign currency contracts [Member]	Foreign currency contracts [Member]	Foreign currency contracts [Member]	Foreign currency contracts [Member]	Forward Contracts [Member]
				Other accrued liabilities [Member]	Other accrued liabilities [Member]	Other accrued liabilities [Member]	Other accrued liabilities [Member]	Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]	Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
Derivative instruments - risk management [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Termination date	'	'	28-Feb-13	'	'	'	'	'	'	31-Jan-14
Notional amount	'	'	$200,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	$469,000
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, at Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value, liability derivatives	'	'	'	0	1,486,000	59,000	0	0	39,000	'
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815	59,000	1,525,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total liability derivatives	$59,000	$1,525,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Derivative_Instruments_Cash_Fl

Derivative Instruments (Cash Flow Hedges) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	$1,463,000	$8,062,000	$7,936,000
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	-1,389,000	-8,302,000	-8,599,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange contract [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loss expected to be reclassified from accumulated OCI into income effective portion over the next year	59,000	'	'
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange contract [Member] | Cost and sales of operating expenses [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	-23,000	346,000	929,000
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	0	19,000	-13,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member] | Interest expense [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	1,486,000	7,716,000	7,007,000
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	($1,389,000)	($8,321,000)	($8,586,000)

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt, Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Senior Notes	$500,000,000	'	'
Additional notes issued	225,000,000	275,000,000	531,646,000
Current portion of long-term debt	0	65,000,000	'
Total debt outstanding, Fair value	710,377,000	1,130,967,000	'
Commitment fee (in hundredths)	0.30%	'	'
Senior Notes Series A Due February 27, 2020 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage (in hundredths)	2.72%	'	'
Additional notes issued	675,000,000	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	150,000,000	82,500,000	'
Senior Notes Series B Due February 27, 2023 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage (in hundredths)	3.29%	'	'
Additional notes issued	157,500,000	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	350,000,000	192,500,000	'
Term Loan Due July 1, 2016 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	208,000,000	468,000,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility Due November 9, 2015 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	41,150,000	185,000,000	'
Term Loan [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maturity date	1-Jul-16	'	'
Average borrowing under revolving credit facility	401,270,000	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	0	'	'
Term loan, duration	'5 years	'	'
Weighted average interest rate (in hundredths)	1.70%	'	'
Term Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest rate, variable rate basis	'LIBOR	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	1.50%	'	'
Term Loan [Member] | Alternate Base Rate [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest rate, variable rate basis	'Alternate Base Rate	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	0.50%	'	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maturity date	9-Nov-15	'	'
Average borrowing under revolving credit facility	75,113,000	'	'
Commitment amount	25,000,000	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	3,930,000	'	'
Weighted average interest rate (in hundredths)	1.70%	'	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest rate, variable rate basis	'LIBOR	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	1.50%	'	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Alternate Base Rate [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest rate, variable rate basis	'Alternate Base Rate	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	0.50%	'	'
Line Of Credit [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	$869,000	'	'

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Long

Long-Term Debt (Schedule of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	$749,150,000	$1,135,110,000
Senior Notes Series A Due February Twenty Seven Two Thousand Twenty [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	150,000,000	82,500,000
Credit facility, expiration date	27-Feb-20	'
Long term debt, face amount	150,000,000	'
Senior Notes Series B Due February Twenty Seven Two Thousand Twenty Three [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	350,000,000	192,500,000
Credit facility, expiration date	27-Feb-23	'
Long term debt, face amount	350,000,000	'
Credit Line Due June Twenty Nine Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	0	7,110,000
Credit facility, expiration date	29-Jun-14	'
Long term debt, face amount	10,000,000	'
Term Loan Due July 1, 2016 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	208,000,000	468,000,000
Credit facility, expiration date	1-Jul-16	'
Long term debt, face amount	540,000,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility Due November 9, 2015 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	41,150,000	185,000,000
Credit facility, expiration date	9-Nov-15	'
Long term debt, face amount	325,000,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility, amount outstanding	3,930,000	'
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior notes due February 28, 2013	$0	$200,000,000
Credit facility, expiration date	28-Feb-13	'

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_Of_Aggr

Long-Term Debt (Schedule Of Aggregate Payments Due On The Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$0	'
2015	41,150	'
2016	208,000	'
2017	0	'
2018	0	'
Thereafter	500,000	'
Long-term Debt	$749,150	$1,135,110

Taxes_on_Income_Narrative_Deta

Taxes on Income (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Taxes on Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Tax benefit realized from equity compensation plans	$3,001,000	$3,212,000	$1,348,000
Operating loss carryforwards	5,699,000	601,000	'
Expiration dates, operating loss carryforwards	31-Dec-30	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits including interest and penalties	1,215,000	'	'
Amount that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized	827,000	'	'
Income tax penalties and interest recognized	-421,000	-43,000	16,000
Accrued liabilities for payment of interest and penalties	$266,000	$790,000	$977,000

Taxes_on_Income_Earnings_Befor

Taxes on Income (Earnings Before Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Taxes on Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Earnings before taxes on income - United States	$102,905	$111,703	$102,134	$91,936	$92,805	$86,525	$77,827	$83,369	$408,678	$340,526	$294,747
Federal [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	41,008	41,297	33,640
Deferred	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	97,586	71,767	65,451
State and local	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,785	14,843	10,164
Total provision for taxes on income	$37,646	$42,007	$38,342	$34,384	$34,231	$32,794	$29,392	$31,490	$152,379	$127,907	$109,255

Taxes_on_Income_Schedule_Of_Ef

Taxes on Income (Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Company's provision for taxes on income varied from the statutory federal income tax rate [Abstract]	'	'	'
United States income tax statutory rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit (in hundredths)	2.20%	2.80%	2.20%
Other - net (in hundredths)	0.10%	-0.20%	-0.10%
Effective income tax rate (in hundredths)	37.30%	37.60%	37.10%

Taxes_on_Income_Schedule_Of_De

Taxes on Income (Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current deferred tax assets [Abstract]	'	'
Compensated absences	$782	$750
Allowance for doubtful accounts	1,927	1,652
Insurance accruals	2,572	3,306
Other	4,177	6,588
Current deferred tax assets, Total	9,458	12,296
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]	'	'
Postretirement health care benefits	3,015	3,215
Insurance accruals	2,781	1,556
Deferred compensation	9,526	8,449
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments	51	563
Unrealized loss on defined benefit plans	9,379	33,942
Operating loss carryforwards	5,699	601
Other	17,925	13,443
Deferred tax assets	48,376	61,769
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Property	-487,187	-408,905
Deferred state taxes	-46,798	-39,072
Pension benefits	-13,063	-18,794
Goodwill and other intangibles	-26,120	-20,220
Other	-19,318	-874
Deferred tax liabilities	-592,486	-487,865
Deferred tax assets (liabilities)	($544,110)	($426,096)

Taxes_on_Income_Reconciliation

Taxes on Income (Reconciliation Of Liability For Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	$1,045	$1,532	$2,088
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	239	165	602
Additions for tax positions of prior years	114	53	402
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-413	-502	-738
Settlements	-36	-203	-822
Balance at end of year	$949	$1,045	$1,532

Leases_Narrative_Details

Leases (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Minimum [Member] | Tank Barges [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Lease agreements expiring terms	'1 year
Minimum [Member] | Towing Vessels [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Lease agreements expiring terms	'30 days
Maximum [Member] | Tank Barges [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Lease agreements expiring terms	'12 years
Maximum [Member] | Towing Vessels [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Lease agreements expiring terms	'5 years

Leases_Schedule_Of_Rent_Expens

Leases (Schedule Of Rent Expense) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property Subject To Or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'
Rental expense	$156,016	$131,215	$116,348
Other Buildings and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property Subject To Or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'
Rental expense	10,298	9,952	8,156
Tank Barges [Member] | Marine Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property Subject To Or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'
Rental expense	20,841	23,835	16,396
Towing Vessels [Member] | Marine Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property Subject To Or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'
Rental expense	$124,877	$97,428	$91,796

Leases_Schedule_Of_Future_Mini

Leases (Schedule Of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	$101,135
2015	69,750
2016	31,004
2017	20,061
2018	14,345
Thereafter	29,309
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases	265,604
Marine Equipment [Member] | Tank Barges [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	18,365
2015	16,267
2016	12,112
2017	10,773
2018	9,654
Thereafter	10,426
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases	77,597
Marine Equipment [Member] | Towing Vessels [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	75,175
2015	46,828
2016	12,764
2017	4,027
2018	0
Thereafter	0
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases	138,794
Land Buildings and Equipment [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	7,595
2015	6,655
2016	6,128
2017	5,261
2018	4,691
Thereafter	18,883
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases	$49,213

Stock_Award_Plans_Details

Stock Award Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]	'	'	'
Compensation cost	$11,621,000	$9,796,000	$9,228,000
Income tax benefit	4,370,000	3,644,000	3,534,000
Share-based Compensation Plans Combined Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	6,703,000	6,768,000	4,072,000
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	2,520,000	2,518,000	1,560,000
Intrinsic value of restricted stock vestings	10,993,000	11,878,000	7,921,000
Tax benefit from restricted stock vesting	4,133,000	4,418,000	3,034,000
Fair value of options vested	3,341,000	2,846,000	2,618,000
Fair value of restricted stock vested	10,993,000	11,878,000	7,921,000
Fair value of stock options granted (in dollars per share)	$25.14	$22.21	$18.84
Fair value of stock options granted	4,184,000	3,691,000	3,081,000
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Shares available for future grants (in shares)	2,667,619	'	'
Elected director first grant vesting period	'The options granted when first elected a director vest immediately	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Stock options exercisable	175,170	149,544	226,900
Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Nonvested balance beginning of period, Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares	418,128	475,632	499,335
Granted, Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares (in shares)	139,971	121,953	150,612
Vested, Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares (in shares)	-149,162	-168,166	-163,480
Forfeited, Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares (in shares)	-9,659	-11,291	-10,835
Nonvested balance end of period, Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares	399,278	418,128	475,632
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Nonvested balance beginning of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$45.39	$36.43	$31.98
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$69.85	$67.79	$46.50
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$44.30	$35.43	$33.27
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$61.20	$58.64	$38.90
Nonvested balance end of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$54.92	$45.39	$36.43
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] | First Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$36.35	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$31.35	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	79,199	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'3 years 1 month 6 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$32.62	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	79,199	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$32.62	'	'
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] | Second Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$46.74	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	97,703	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'4 years 1 month 6 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$46.74	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	64,173	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$46.74	'	'
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] | Third Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$66.72	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$65.28	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	96,311	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'5 years 1 month 6 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$65.81	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	31,798	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$65.81	'	'
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] | Fourth Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$70.65	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	104,424	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'6 years 1 month 6 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$70.65	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	0	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$0	'	'
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] | Fifth Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$86.96	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	1,967	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'6 years 7 months 6 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$86.96	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	0	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$0	'	'
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] | Full Exercise Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$86.96	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$31.35	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	379,604	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'4 years 8 months 12 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$55.42	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding	16,639,000	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	175,170	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$43.81	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable	9,711,000	'	'
2000 Director Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Term of grant	'10 years	'	'
Vesting period	'6 months	'	'
Shares available for future grants (in shares)	610,041	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Stock options exercisable	320,082	345,360	352,987
Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Nonvested balance beginning of period, Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares	348	1,748	525
Granted, Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares (in shares)	10,536	10,383	11,990
Vested, Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares (in shares)	-10,500	-11,783	-10,767
Nonvested balance end of period, Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares	384	348	1,748
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Nonvested balance beginning of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$62.99	$58.07	$41.33
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$75.65	$62.99	$56.85
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share (in dollars per share)	$75.23	$62.26	$55.90
Nonvested balance end of period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	$75.65	$62.99	$58.07
2000 Director Plan [Member] | First Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$17.88	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	12,000	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'0 years 3 months 18 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$17.88	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	12,000	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$17.88	'	'
2000 Director Plan [Member] | Second Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$29.60	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$20.28	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	36,000	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'4 years	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$26.49	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	36,000	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$26.49	'	'
2000 Director Plan [Member] | Third Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$36.82	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$35.17	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	50,036	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'2 years 8 months 12 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$35.80	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	50,036	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$35.80	'	'
2000 Director Plan [Member] | Fourth Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$56.45	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$41.24	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	119,022	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'6 years	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$52.05	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	119,022	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$52.05	'	'
2000 Director Plan [Member] | Fifth Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$62.48	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$61.89	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	54,306	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'8 years 6 months	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$62.37	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	54,306	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$62.37	'	'
2000 Director Plan [Member] | Sixth Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$75.17	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	48,958	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'9 years 3 months 18 days	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$75.17	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	48,718	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$75.17	'	'
2000 Director Plan [Member] | Full Exercise Price Range [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$75.17	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$17.88	'	'
Options Outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Outstanding (in shares)	320,322	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'6 years	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$50.64	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding	15,569,000	'	'
Options Exercisable [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number Exercisable (in shares)	320,082	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$50.63	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable	15,564,000	'	'
Employee Stock Award Plan - Options Granted After to January 25, 2010 [Member]	'	'	'
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Term of grant	'7 years	'	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Employee Stock Award Plan - Options Granted Prior to January 25, 2010 [Member]	'	'	'
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Term of grant	'5 years	'	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Plans Combined Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards	2,576,000	'	'
Weighted average period of recognition in years	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'	'
Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Dividend yield (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average risk-free interest rate (in hundredths)	1.10%	1.10%	2.40%
Stock price volatility (in hundredths)	34.00%	33.00%	33.00%
Stock Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Estimated option term (in years)	'6 years	'6 years	'6 years
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Estimated option term (in years)	'7 years	'7 years	'7 years
Stock Options [Member] | Employee Stock Award Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Outstanding at Period Start, Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards (in shares)	351,173	445,674	434,447
Granted, Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards (in shares)	111,527	99,906	103,021
Exercised, Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards (in shares)	-83,096	-191,955	-91,794
Canceled or expired, Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards (in shares)	0	-2,452	0
Outstanding at Period End, Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards (in shares)	379,604	351,173	445,674
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'	'
Outstanding at Period Start, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$45.54	$36.81	$33.53
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$70.94	$65.80	$47.01
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$34.51	$35.65	$32.75
Canceled or expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$0	$58.28	$0
Outstanding at Period End, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$55.42	$45.54	$36.81
Stock Options [Member] | 2000 Director Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Outstanding at Period Start, Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards (in shares)	345,938	353,625	356,429
Granted, Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards (in shares)	54,958	66,306	60,552
Exercised, Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards (in shares)	-80,574	-73,993	-63,356
Outstanding at Period End, Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards (in shares)	320,322	345,938	353,625
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]	'	'	'
Outstanding at Period Start, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$45.84	$39.05	$34.88
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$75.17	$62.39	$56.42
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$46.75	$28.22	$32.17
Outstanding at Period End, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$50.64	$45.84	$39.05
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Plans Combined Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards	$15,854,000	'	'
Weighted average period of recognition in years	'2 years 7 months 6 days	'	'

Retirement_Plans_Narrative_Det

Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pension contributions	$25,000,000	'	'
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths)	7.50%	7.50%	'
Contribution percentage to defined contribution plan (in hundredths)	127.00%	'	'
Pension plan defined benefit plan cost increase limit percentage (in hundredths)	4.00%	'	'
Aggregate contributions to the plans	23,158,000	22,427,000	13,793,000
Seafarers Pension Trust [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Pension contributions	$1,368,000	$107,000	'
Contribution percentage to defined contribution plan (in hundredths)	100.00%	'	'
Maximum contribution limit (in hundredths)	5.00%	'	'

Retirement_Plans_Summary_Of_As

Retirement Plans (Summary Of Asset Allocation) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Asset allocations (in hundredths)	100.00%	100.00%
U.S. Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Asset allocations (in hundredths)	51.00%	44.00%
Target allocations, minimum (in hundredths)	30.00%	'
Target allocations (in hundredths)	50.00%	'
Target allocations, maximum (in hundredths)	70.00%	'
International Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Asset allocations (in hundredths)	21.00%	18.00%
Target allocations, minimum (in hundredths)	0.00%	'
Target allocations (in hundredths)	20.00%	'
Target allocations, maximum (in hundredths)	30.00%	'
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Asset allocations (in hundredths)	28.00%	26.00%
Target allocations, minimum (in hundredths)	15.00%	'
Target allocations (in hundredths)	30.00%	'
Target allocations, maximum (in hundredths)	55.00%	'
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Asset allocations (in hundredths)	0.00%	12.00%
Target allocations, minimum (in hundredths)	0.00%	'
Target allocations (in hundredths)	0.00%	'
Target allocations, maximum (in hundredths)	5.00%	'

Retirement_Plans_Schedule_Of_C

Retirement Plans (Schedule Of Change In Benefit Obligation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$266,911	$216,926	'
Service cost	12,824	10,206	7,303
Interest cost	11,400	10,506	9,693
Actuarial loss (gain)	-35,767	34,084	'
Gross benefits paid	-5,408	-4,811	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	249,960	266,911	216,926
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	200,577	214,951	'
SERP [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	1,746	1,645	'
Service cost	0	0	0
Interest cost	70	73	80
Actuarial loss (gain)	-138	131	'
Gross benefits paid	-149	-103	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	1,529	1,746	1,645
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	1,529	1,746	'
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	2,854	3,014	'
Service cost	0	0	0
Interest cost	112	133	164
Actuarial loss (gain)	-600	-235	'
Gross benefits paid	-59	-58	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	2,307	2,854	3,014
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$0	$0	'

Retirement_Plans_WeightedAvera

Retirement Plans (Weighted-Average Assumption Used To Determine Benefit Obligation) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	5.00%	4.10%
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)	4.25%	4.25%
Health care cost trend rate [Abstract]	'	'
Initial rate (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%
Ultimate rate (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%
SERP [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	5.00%	4.10%
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%
Health care cost trend rate [Abstract]	'	'
Initial rate (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%
Ultimate rate (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	5.00%	4.10%
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%
Health care cost trend rate [Abstract]	'	'
Initial rate (in hundredths)	7.00%	7.50%
Ultimate rate (in hundredths)	5.00%	5.00%
Years to ultimate	'2018	'2018

Retirement_Plans_Effect_Of_One

Retirement Plans (Effect Of One-Percentage-Point Change In Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on postretirement obligation, Increase	$0	$0	'
Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on postretirement obligation, Decrease	0	0	'
SERP [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on postretirement obligation, Increase	0	0	'
Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on postretirement obligation, Decrease	0	0	'
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on postretirement obligation, Increase	202	267	'
Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on postretirement obligation, Decrease	-178	-234	'
Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on aggregate service and interest cost, Increase	10	13	16
Effect of one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rate on aggregate service and interest cost, Decrease	($9)	($11)	($14)

Retirement_Plans_Summary_Of_Ch

Retirement Plans (Summary Of Change In Plan Assets) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$217,811	$174,223
Actual return on plan assets	42,120	23,399
Employer contribution	0	25,000
Gross benefits paid	-5,408	-4,811
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	254,523	217,811
SERP [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contribution	149	103
Gross benefits paid	-149	-103
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contribution	59	58
Gross benefits paid	-59	-58
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$0	$0

Retirement_Plans_Summary_Of_Fu

Retirement Plans (Summary Of Funded Status At End Of Year) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	$254,523	$217,811	$174,223
Benefit obligations	249,960	266,911	216,926
Funded status and amount recognized at end of year	4,563	-49,100	'
SERP [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	0
Benefit obligations	1,529	1,746	1,645
Funded status and amount recognized at end of year	-1,529	-1,746	'
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	0
Benefit obligations	2,307	2,854	3,014
Funded status and amount recognized at end of year	($2,307)	($2,854)	'

Retirement_Plans_Amounts_Recog

Retirement Plans (Amounts Recognized In The Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Noncurrent asset	$4,563	$0
Current liability	0	0
Long-term liability	0	-49,100
SERP [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Noncurrent asset	0	0
Current liability	-140	-101
Long-term liability	-1,389	-1,645
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Noncurrent asset	0	0
Current liability	-197	-223
Long-term liability	($2,110)	($2,631)

Retirement_Plans_Amounts_Recog1

Retirement Plans (Amounts Recognized In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$32,760	$102,795
Prior service cost (credit)	0	0
Accumulated other compensation income	32,760	102,795
SERP [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss (gain)	402	559
Prior service cost (credit)	0	0
Accumulated other compensation income	402	559
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss (gain)	-6,364	-6,378
Prior service cost (credit)	0	0
Accumulated other compensation income	($6,364)	($6,378)

Retirement_Plans_Projected_Ben

Retirement Plans (Projected Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$0	$266,911
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	217,811
SERP [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	1,529	1,746
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$0	$0

Retirement_Plans_Accumulated_B

Retirement Plans (Accumulated Benefit Obligation In Excess Of Plan Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$0	$0
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0
SERP [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	1,529	1,746
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	1,529	1,746
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$0	$0

Retirement_Plans_Schedule_Of_E

Retirement Plans (Schedule Of Employer Contribution) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Expected employer contributions	$0	$3,400
SERP [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Expected employer contributions	144	101
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Expected employer contributions	$202	$223

Retirement_Plans_Expected_Bene

Retirement Plans (Expected Benefit Payments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Year one	$6,538	$6,213
Year two	6,996	6,545
Year three	7,598	6,992
Year four	8,321	7,579
Year five	9,140	8,265
Next five years	59,242	53,734
SERP [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Year one	144	101
Year two	142	100
Year three	149	98
Year four	154	105
Year five	151	109
Next five years	663	616
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Year one	215	237
Year two	218	242
Year three	219	245
Year four	229	245
Year five	226	255
Next five years	$976	$1,154

Retirement_Plans_Summary_Of_Ex

Retirement Plans (Summary Of Expected Federal Subsidy) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Year one	$0	$0
Year two	0	0
Year three	0	0
Year four	0	0
Year five	0	0
Next five years	0	0
SERP [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Year one	0	0
Year two	0	0
Year three	0	0
Year four	0	0
Year five	0	0
Next five years	0	0
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Year one	-13	-14
Year two	-13	-14
Year three	-13	-14
Year four	-12	-14
Year five	-12	-14
Next five years	($55)	($62)

Retirement_Plans_Components_Of

Retirement Plans (Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Recognition of actuarial loss (gain)	($62,503)	[1]	$23,443	[1]	$46,652	[1]
Recognition of prior service credit (cost)	-7,675	[1]	-6,791	[1]	-2,275	[1]
Pension Benefits [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Service cost	12,824		10,206		7,303
Interest cost	11,400		10,506		9,693
Expected return on plan assets	-16,127		-12,872		-11,283
Actuarial loss (gain)	8,276		7,395		2,859
Prior service (credit) cost	0		0		-38
Net periodic benefit cost	16,373		15,235		8,534
Current year actuarial loss (gain)	-61,759		23,557		46,444
Recognition of actuarial loss (gain)	-8,276		-7,395		-2,859
Recognition of prior service credit (cost)	0		0		38
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	-70,035		16,162		43,623
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	-53,662		31,397		52,157
SERP [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Service cost	0		0		0
Interest cost	70		73		80
Expected return on plan assets	0		0		0
Actuarial loss (gain)	19		14		7
Prior service (credit) cost	0		0		0
Net periodic benefit cost	89		87		87
Current year actuarial loss (gain)	-138		131		156
Recognition of actuarial loss (gain)	-19		-14		-7
Recognition of prior service credit (cost)	0		0		0
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	-157		117		149
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	-68		204		236
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Service cost	0		0		0
Interest cost	112		133		164
Curtailment loss	0		0		119
Actuarial loss (gain)	-620		-618		-593
Prior service (credit) cost	0		0		40
Net periodic benefit cost	-508		-485		-270
Current year actuarial loss (gain)	-600		-235		182
Recognition of actuarial loss (gain)	620		618		593
Recognition of prior service credit (cost)	0		0		-158
Adjustment for actual Medicare Part D reimbursement	-5		-10		-3
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	15		373		614
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	($493)		($112)		$344
[1]	Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into costs of sales and operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses as appropriate. (See Note 10 b Retirement Plans)

Retirement_Plans_Weighted_Aver

Retirement Plans (Weighted Average Assumptions Used To Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths)	7.50%	7.50%	'
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	4.10%	4.60%	5.50%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths)	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)	4.25%	4.25%	4.25%
SERP [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	4.10%	4.60%	5.50%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	4.10%	4.60%	5.50%
Initial rate (in hundredths)	7.50%	7.50%	8.00%
Ultimate rate (in hundredths)	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Years to ultimate	'2018	'2017	'2017

Retirement_Plans_Estimated_Amo

Retirement Plans (Estimated Amounts That Will Be Amortized From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Into Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension Benefits [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Actuarial gain (loss)	$784
Prior service cost (credit)	0
Estimated amounts to be amortized	784
SERP [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Actuarial gain (loss)	16
Prior service cost (credit)	0
Estimated amounts to be amortized	16
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Actuarial gain (loss)	-649
Prior service cost (credit)	0
Estimated amounts to be amortized	($649)

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Det

Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Pension and postretirement benefits [Abstract]	'		'		'
Amortization of net actuarial loss, Gross Amount	$7,675	[1]	$6,791	[1]	$2,275	[1]
Amortization of net actuarial loss, Income Tax (Provision) Benefit	-2,942	[1]	-2,603	[1]	-871	[1]
Amortization of net actuarial loss, Net Amount	4,733	[1]	4,188	[1]	1,404	[1]
Actuarial gains, Gross Amount	62,503	[1]	-23,443	[1]	-46,652	[1]
Actuarial gains, Income Tax (Provision) Benefit	-23,962	[1]	8,985	[1]	17,865	[1]
Actuarial gains, Net Amount	38,541	[1]	-14,458	[1]	-28,787	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Gross Amount	108		102		-350
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Income Tax (Provision) Benefit	0		0		0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Net Amount	108		102		-350
Change in fair value of derivative instruments [Abstract]	'		'		'
Unrealized gains (losses), Gross Amount	2,851	[2]	16,364	[2]	16,713	[2]
Unrealized gains, Income Tax (Provision) Benefit	-996	[2]	-5,775	[2]	-6,004	[2]
Unrealized gains, Net Amount	1,855	[2]	10,589	[2]	10,709	[2]
Reclassified to net earnings, Gross Amount	-1,389	[2]	-8,302	[2]	-8,599	[2]
Reclassified to net earnings, Income Tax (Provision) Benefit	486	[2]	2,930	[2]	3,089	[2]
Reclassified to net earnings, Net Amount	-903	[2]	-5,372	[2]	-5,510	[2]
Total other comprehensive income (loss), Gross Amount	71,748	[2]	-8,488	[2]	-36,613	[2]
Total other comprehensive income (loss), Income Tax (Provision) Benefit	-27,414	[2]	3,537	[2]	14,079	[2]
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	$44,334	[2]	($4,951)	[2]	($22,534)	[2]
[1]	Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into costs of sales and operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses as appropriate. (See Note 10 b Retirement Plans)
[2]	Reclassifications to net earnings of derivatives qualifying as effective hedges are recognized in interest expense or costs of sales and operating expenses as appropriate. (See Note 5 b Derivative Instruments)

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$64,267	$69,123	$63,093	$56,578	$57,888	$53,055	$47,551	$50,944	$253,061	$209,438	$183,026
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,819	-1,618	-1,613
Income available to Kirby common stockholders - basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	251,242	207,820	181,413
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,819	1,618	1,613
Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,813	-1,612	-1,606
Income available to Kirby common stockholders - diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$251,248	$207,826	$181,420
Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	56,762	55,897	54,673
Weighted average unvested restricted stock (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-408	-431	-482
Weighted average common stock outstanding - basic (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	56,354	55,466	54,191
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	198	208	222
Weighted average common stock outstanding - diluted (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	56,552	55,674	54,413
Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.13	$1.22	$1.11	$1	$1.03	$0.95	$0.85	$0.91	$4.46	$3.75	$3.35
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.13	$1.21	$1.11	$1	$1.03	$0.95	$0.85	$0.91	$4.44	$3.73	$3.33
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,000	100,000	2,000

Quarterly_Results_Schedule_Of_

Quarterly Results (Schedule Of Quarterly Results) (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Results (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$568,397	$551,105	$563,908	$558,785	$512,551	$521,324	$511,848	$566,935	$2,242,195	$2,112,658	$1,850,417
Costs and expenses	459,813	432,991	455,193	458,904	413,098	428,647	428,219	477,847	1,806,013	1,747,825	1,538,074
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets	160	223	537	-32	-15	-40	69	-28	-888	14	40
Operating income	108,744	118,337	109,252	99,849	99,438	92,637	83,698	89,060	436,182	364,833	312,343
Other income (expense)	132	60	101	75	-45	-56	30	149	20	-198	-41
Interest expense	-5,971	-6,694	-7,219	-7,988	-6,588	-6,056	-5,901	-5,840	-27,872	-24,385	-17,902
Earnings before taxes on income	102,905	111,703	102,134	91,936	92,805	86,525	77,827	83,369	408,678	340,526	294,747
Provision for taxes on income	-37,646	-42,007	-38,342	-34,384	-34,231	-32,794	-29,392	-31,490	-152,379	-127,907	-109,255
Net earnings	65,259	69,696	63,792	57,552	58,574	53,731	48,435	51,879	256,299	212,619	185,492
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	-992	-573	-699	-974	-686	-676	-884	-935	-3,238	-3,181	-2,466
Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$64,267	$69,123	$63,093	$56,578	$57,888	$53,055	$47,551	$50,944	$253,061	$209,438	$183,026
Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.13	$1.22	$1.11	$1	$1.03	$0.95	$0.85	$0.91	$4.46	$3.75	$3.35
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.13	$1.21	$1.11	$1	$1.03	$0.95	$0.85	$0.91	$4.44	$3.73	$3.33

Contingencies_and_Commitments_

Contingencies and Commitments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Segment	Segment	Segment
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'	'
Customer relationship period	'40 years	'	'
Number of single customers accounting more than 10% of segment revenue	0	0	0
Segment operates authorized distributors	17	'	'
Diesel engine services segment's relationship	'48 years	'	'
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Issued guaranties	$40,343,000	'	'
Guarantor Obligations, Term	'All of these instruments have an expiration date within four years.	'	'
Performance Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Issued guaranties	34,235,000	'	'
Standby Letters Of Credit [Member]	'	'	'
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'
Issued guaranties	6,108,000	'	'
Gulfco Marine Superfund Site [Member]	'	'	'
Site Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of other companies also named as Potentially Responsible Parties ("PRPs")	3	'	'
Number of companies named as Potentially Responsible Parties ("PRPs")	4	'	'
EPA incurred cleanup expense	4,500,000	'	'
EPA oversight costs	1,800,000	'	'
Portland Harbor Superfund Site [Member]	'	'	'
Site Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of other companies also named as Potentially Responsible Parties ("PRPs")	250	'	'
Number of spills	4	'	'
Palmer Barge Line Superfund Site [Member]	'	'	'
Site Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of other companies also named as Potentially Responsible Parties ("PRPs")	45	'	'
Number of other companies also in an investigation and feasibility study agreement with EPA	3	'	'
Number of new companies in an agreement with the EPA	5	'	'
Number of Potentially Responsible Parties notified by EPA of intent to recover costs	30	'	'
EPA notification intent to recover costs incurred	$2,949,000	'	'
Marine Transportation's [Member]	'	'	'
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of inland revenue (in hundredths)	75.00%	'	'
Percentage of costal revenue (in hundredths)	75.00%	'	'
Number of single customers accounting more than 10% of segment revenue	0	0	0
Marine Transportation's [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of renewal options under term contracts	'1 year	'	'
Marine Transportation's [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'	'
Range of renewal options under term contracts	'5 years	'	'

Segment_Data_Details

Segment Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
									Segment
Segment Data [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Reportable Segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Revenues [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Marine transportation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,713,167	$1,408,893	$1,194,607
Diesel engine services	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	529,028	703,765	655,810
Total revenues	568,397	551,105	563,908	558,785	512,551	521,324	511,848	566,935	2,242,195	2,112,658	1,850,417
Segment profit (loss)	102,905	111,703	102,134	91,936	92,805	86,525	77,827	83,369	408,678	340,526	294,747
Total assets	3,682,517	'	'	'	3,653,128	'	'	'	3,682,517	3,653,128	2,960,411
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	164,437	145,147	126,029
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	253,227	312,167	226,238
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-5,971	-6,694	-7,219	-7,988	-6,588	-6,056	-5,901	-5,840	-27,872	-24,385	-17,902
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets	-160	-223	-537	32	15	40	-69	28	888	-14	-40
Other income (expense)	132	60	101	75	-45	-56	30	149	20	-198	-41
Details of "Other" total assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investment in affiliates	2,156	'	'	'	1,808	'	'	'	2,156	1,808	'
Total assets	3,682,517	'	'	'	3,653,128	'	'	'	3,682,517	3,653,128	2,960,411
Marine transportation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	408,255	311,755	262,193
Total assets	3,046,692	'	'	'	2,951,723	'	'	'	3,046,692	2,951,723	2,307,821
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	149,574	129,857	111,292
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	237,964	274,351	218,777
Details of "Other" total assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	3,046,692	'	'	'	2,951,723	'	'	'	3,046,692	2,951,723	2,307,821
Diesel engine services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	42,767	66,386	68,105
Total assets	576,472	'	'	'	647,986	'	'	'	576,472	647,986	608,886
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,096	12,030	11,801
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,658	20,477	5,576
Details of "Other" total assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	576,472	'	'	'	647,986	'	'	'	576,472	647,986	608,886
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-42,344	-37,615	-35,551
Total assets	59,353	'	'	'	53,419	'	'	'	59,353	53,419	43,704
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,767	3,260	2,936
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,605	17,339	1,885
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
General corporate expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-15,728	-13,294	-17,915
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-27,872	-24,385	-17,902
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	888	-14	-40
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	368	78	306
Profit (loss) from other segment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-42,344	-37,615	-35,551
Details of "Other" total assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
General corporate assets	57,197	'	'	'	51,611	'	'	'	57,197	51,611	40,022
Investment in affiliates	2,156	'	'	'	1,808	'	'	'	2,156	1,808	3,682
Total assets	$59,353	'	'	'	$53,419	'	'	'	$59,353	$53,419	$43,704

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Hollywood Camp [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	50.00%	'	'
Facility expenses	$1,112,000	$463,000	'
Amy D. Husted [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Legal services	851,000	384,000	483,000
William M. Waterman [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash portion of purchase price	24,000,000	'	'
Number of shares held in escrow (in shares)	83,825	'	'
Richard J. Alario [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Oilfield service equipment	$1,973,000	$13,152,000	$7,978,000