Kirby (KEX) 10-Q 9 Nov 20 2020 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 06, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	KIRBY CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000056047
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		60,039,000
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-7615
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-1884980
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Entity Address, Address Line One	55 Waugh Drive, Suite 1000
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77007
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	435-1000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	KEX
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaud

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 119,586	$ 24,737
Accounts receivable:
Trade - less allowance for doubtful accounts	304,021	379,174
Other	257,656	104,175
Inventories - net	321,433	351,401
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	58,023	58,092
Total current assets	1,060,719	917,579
Property and equipment	5,629,361	5,324,090
Accumulated depreciation	(1,671,217)	(1,546,980)
Property and equipment - net	3,958,144	3,777,110
Operating lease right-of-use assets	178,714	159,641
Goodwill	657,800	953,826
Other intangibles - net	71,313	210,682
Other assets	54,430	60,259
Total assets	5,981,120	6,079,097
Current liabilities:
Bank notes payable	155	16
Income taxes payable	459	665
Accounts payable	156,950	206,778
Accrued liabilities	228,764	236,350
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	32,545	27,324
Deferred revenues	31,192	42,982
Total current liabilities	450,065	514,115
Long-term debt, net - less current portion	1,578,189	1,369,751
Deferred income taxes	591,346	588,204
Operating lease liabilities - less current portion	167,884	139,457
Other long-term liabilities	115,269	95,978
Total long-term liabilities	2,452,688	2,193,390
Contingencies and commitments
Kirby stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value per share. Authorized 120,000,000 shares, issued 65,472,000 shares	6,547	6,547
Additional paid-in capital	842,301	835,899
Accumulated other comprehensive income - net	(45,635)	(37,799)
Retained earnings	2,571,189	2,865,939
Treasury stock - at cost, 5,434,000 shares at September 30, 2020 and 5,513,000 at December 31, 2019	(299,139)	(301,963)
Total Kirby stockholders' equity	3,075,263	3,368,623
Noncontrolling interests	3,104	2,969
Total equity	3,078,367	3,371,592
Total liabilities and equity	$ 5,981,120	$ 6,079,097

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Una_2

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Kirby stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	65,472,000	65,472,000
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	5,434,000	5,513,000

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNING

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 496,567	$ 666,809	$ 1,681,652	$ 2,182,472
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales and operating expenses	340,764	458,514	1,167,871	1,558,664
Selling, general and administrative	61,720	64,656	199,412	206,602
Taxes, other than on income	9,077	10,909	33,548	31,486
Depreciation and amortization	54,779	54,455	165,067	164,771
Impairments and other charges	0	0	561,274	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	316	374	13	(4,901)
Total costs and expenses	466,656	588,908	2,127,185	1,956,622
Operating income (loss)	29,911	77,901	(445,533)	225,850
Other income	1,172	864	6,185	2,677
Interest expense	(11,809)	(14,310)	(37,316)	(43,026)
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	19,274	64,455	(476,664)	185,501
(Provision) benefit for taxes on income	8,419	(16,305)	182,657	(45,454)
Net earnings (loss)	27,693	48,150	(294,007)	140,047
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(204)	(163)	(743)	(477)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ 27,489	$ 47,987	$ (294,750)	$ 139,570
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.80	$ (4.92)	$ 2.33
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.80	$ (4.92)	$ 2.32
Marine Transportation [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 320,602	$ 412,665	$ 1,104,846	$ 1,185,072
Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 175,965	$ 254,144	$ 576,806	$ 997,400

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREH

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	$ 27,693	$ 48,150	$ (294,007)	$ 140,047
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Pension and postretirement benefits	(4,279)	172	(6,674)	6,640
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(239)	(618)	(1,162)	(542)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(4,518)	(446)	(7,836)	6,098
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	23,175	47,704	(301,843)	146,145
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(204)	(163)	(743)	(477)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ 22,971	$ 47,541	$ (302,586)	$ 145,668

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FL

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ (294,007)	$ 140,047
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	165,067	164,771
Provision for deferred income taxes	5,382	40,502
Impairments and other charges	561,274	0
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	12,066	11,079
Amortization of major maintenance costs	21,857	17,295
Other	3,523	(5,073)
Increase (decrease) in cash flows resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	(115,399)	18,978
Net cash provided by operating activities	359,763	387,599
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(129,371)	(184,068)
Acquisitions of businesses and marine equipment	(348,772)	(257,540)
Proceeds from disposition of assets	6,538	34,490
Net cash used in investing activities	(471,605)	(407,118)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings (payments) on bank credit facilities, net	360,139	(417,377)
Borrowings on long-term debt	0	500,000
Payments on long-term debt	(150,000)	(60,000)
Payments of debt issue costs	0	(2,397)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	353	3,563
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation	(3,193)	(2,031)
Other	(608)	(614)
Net cash provided by financing activities	206,691	21,144
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	94,849	1,625
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	24,737	7,800
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	119,586	9,425
Cash paid (received) during the period:
Interest paid	45,776	52,436
Income taxes paid (refunded)	(36,499)	3,155
Operating cash outflow from operating leases	32,507	29,424
Non-cash investing activity:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	11,441	6,410
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations	$ 42,470	$ 9,736

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHO

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 6,547	$ 823,347	$ (33,511)	$ 2,723,592	$ (306,788)	$ 3,114	$ 3,216,301
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	65,472				(5,608)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock option exercises	$ 0	355	0	0	$ 3,263	0	3,618
Stock option exercises (in shares)	0				60
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures	$ 0	(1,889)	0	0	$ 1,889	0	0
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)	0				34
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting	$ 0	0	0	0	$ (2,031)	0	(2,031)
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting (in shares)	0				(30)
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	$ 0	11,079	0	0	$ 0	0	11,079
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	0	0	6,098	139,570	0	477	146,145
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	(614)	(614)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 6,547	832,892	(27,413)	2,863,162	$ (303,667)	2,977	3,374,498
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	65,472				(5,544)
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 6,547	829,460	(26,967)	2,815,175	$ (305,061)	3,018	3,322,172
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019	65,472				(5,570)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock option exercises	$ 0	237	0	0	$ 1,425	0	1,662
Stock option exercises (in shares)	0				26
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures	$ 0	23	0	0	$ (23)	0	0
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)	0				0
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting	$ 0	0	0	0	$ (8)	0	(8)
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting (in shares)	0				0
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	$ 0	3,172	0	0	$ 0	0	3,172
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	0	0	(446)	47,987	0	163	47,704
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	(204)	(204)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 6,547	832,892	(27,413)	2,863,162	$ (303,667)	2,977	3,374,498
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	65,472				(5,544)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 6,547	835,899	(37,799)	2,865,939	$ (301,963)	2,969	3,371,592
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019	65,472				(5,513)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock option exercises	$ 0	26	0	0	$ 327	0	353
Stock option exercises (in shares)	0				15
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures	$ 0	(5,690)	0	0	$ 5,690	0	0
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)	0				103
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting	$ 0	0	0	0	$ (3,193)	0	(3,193)
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting (in shares)	0				(39)
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	$ 0	12,066	0	0	$ 0	0	12,066
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	0	0	(7,836)	(294,750)	0	743	(301,843)
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	(608)	(608)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	$ 6,547	842,301	(45,635)	2,571,189	$ (299,139)	3,104	3,078,367
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020	65,472				(5,434)
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 6,547	838,874	(41,117)	2,543,700	$ (299,124)	3,104	3,051,984
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020	65,472				(5,434)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures	$ 0	13	0	0	$ (13)	0	0
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)	0				0
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting	$ 0	0	0	0	$ (2)	0	(2)
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting (in shares)	0				0
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	$ 0	3,414	0	0	$ 0	0	3,414
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	0	0	(4,518)	27,489	0	204	23,175
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	(204)	(204)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2020	$ 6,547	$ 842,301	$ (45,635)	$ 2,571,189	$ (299,139)	$ 3,104	$ 3,078,367
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020	65,472				(5,434)

Basis for Preparation of the Co

Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements	(1) Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements The condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared by Kirby Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and footnote disclosures, including significant accounting policies normally included in annual financial statements, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Certain reclassifications have been made to reflect the current presentation of financial information. Such reclassifications have no impact on previously reported net earnings (loss), stockholders’ equity, or cash flows.

Accounting Standards Adoptions

Accounting Standards Adoptions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Standards Adoptions [Abstract]
Accounting Standards Adoptions	(2) Accounting Standards Adoptions In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, Income Taxes. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans” which amends the annual disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by removing certain requirements, providing clarification on existing requirements and adding new requirements including adding an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this update are required to be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact on its disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”) which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 in the goodwill impairment test that required an entity to perform procedures to determine the fair value of its assets and liabilities at the testing date. An entity instead shall perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value and record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, incorporating all tax impacts caused by the recognition of the impairment loss

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisitions	(3) Acquisitions During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 , the Company purchased newly constructed inland pressure barges for $ in cash. On April 1, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of the inland tank barge fleet of Savage Inland Marine, LLC (“Savage”) for $ in cash. Savage’s tank barge fleet consisted of inland tank barges with approximately million barrels of capacity and inland towboats. The Savage assets that were acquired primarily move petrochemicals, refined products, and crude oil on the Mississippi River, its tributaries, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The Company also acquired Savage’s ship bunkering business and barge fleeting business along the Gulf Coast. . On January 3, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets of Convoy Servicing Company and Agility Fleet Services, LLC (collectively “Convoy”) for $37,180,000 in cash. Convoy is an authorized dealer for Thermo King refrigeration systems for trucks, railroad cars and other land transportation markets for North and East Texas and Colorado. The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the Savage and Convoy acquisitions recorded at the respective acquisition dates were as follows (in thousands): Savage Convoy Assets: Accounts receivable $ — $ 5,677 Inventories — 11,771 Prepaid expenses 1,067 177 Property and equipment 210,065 415 Operating lease right-of-use assets 27,085 3,713 Goodwill 81,635 10,309 Other intangibles 2,300 17,170 Total assets $ 322,152 $ 49,232 Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 68 $ 8,339 Operating lease liabilities, including current portion 43,085 3,713 Total liabilities $ 43,153 $ 12,052 Net assets acquired $ 278,999 $ 37,180 The Company acquired customer relationships with an estimated value of $ from Savage with an amortization period of . The fair values of the Savage acquisition have not been finalized and are provisional, pending completion of the tangible and intangible valuation studies. Acquisition related costs of $ , consisting primarily of legal and other professional fees, were expensed as incurred to selling, general and administrative expense. . The Company acquired intangible assets from Convoy with a weighted average amortization period of years, consisting of for customer relationships with an amortization period of years, for distributorships with an amortization period of years and for non-compete agreements with an amortization period of . . Pro forma results of the acquisitions made in the 2020 first nine months have not been presented as the pro forma revenues and net earnings attributable to Kirby would not be materially different from the Company’s actual results.

Revenues

Revenues	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	(4) Revenues The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues by major source (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Marine transportation segment: Inland transportation $ 247,647 $ 316,000 $ 869,224 $ 909,247 Coastal transportation 72,955 96,665 235,622 275,825 $ 320,602 $ 412,665 $ 1,104,846 $ 1,185,072 Distribution and services segment: Oil and gas $ 48,741 $ 118,096 $ 158,043 $ 540,061 Commercial and industrial 127,224 136,048 418,763 457,339 $ 175,965 $ 254,144 $ 576,806 $ 997,400 Contract Assets and Liabilities. Contract liabilities represent advance consideration received from customers, and are recognized as revenue over time as the related performance obligation is satisfied. Revenues recognized in the 2020 and 2019 first nine months that were included in the opening contract liability balances were The Company presents all contract liabilities within the deferred revenues financial statement caption on the balance sheets. The Company did t have any contract assets at September 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019. The Company applies the practical expedient that allows non-disclosure of information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.

Segment Data

Segment Data	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Data [Abstract]
Segment Data	(5) Segment Data The Company’s operations are aggregated into two reportable business segments as follows: Marine Transportation Distribution and Services The Company’s two reportable business segments are managed separately based on fundamental differences in their operations. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on the contributions to operating income of the respective segments, before income taxes, interest, gains or losses on disposition of assets, other nonoperating income, noncontrolling interests, accounting changes, and nonrecurring items. Intersegment revenues, based on market-based pricing, of the distribution and services segment from the marine transportation segment of $6,768,000 and $23,115,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $7,201,000 and $22,182,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, have been eliminated from the tables below. The related intersegment profit of $676,000 and $2,311,000 for the three months and nine months ending September 30, 2020, respectively, and $720,000 and $2,218,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, have also been eliminated from the tables below. The following tables set forth the Company’s revenues and profit or loss by reportable segment and total assets (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenues: Marine transportation $ 320,602 $ 412,665 $ 1,104,846 $ 1,185,072 Distribution and services 175,965 254,144 576,806 997,400 $ 496,567 $ 666,809 $ 1,681,652 $ 2,182,472 Segment profit (loss): Marine transportation $ 32,391 $ 72,697 $ 134,482 $ 161,364 Distribution and services 1,104 9,132 (9,325 ) 69,869 Other (14,221 ) (17,374 ) (601,821 ) (45,732 ) $ 19,274 $ 64,455 $ (476,664 ) $ 185,501 September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Total assets: Marine transportation $ 4,795,002 $ 4,536,368 Distribution and services 814,550 1,422,394 Other 371,568 120,335 $ 5,981,120 $ 6,079,097 The following table presents the details of “Other” segment loss (in s): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 General corporate expenses $ (3,268 ) $ (3,554 ) $ (9,403 ) $ (10,284 ) Gain (loss) on disposition of assets (316 ) (374 ) (13 ) 4,901 Impairments and other charges — — (561,274 ) — Interest expense (11,809 ) (14,310 ) (37,316 ) (43,026 ) Other income 1,172 864 6,185 2,677 $ (14,221 ) $ (17,374 ) $ (601,821 ) $ (45,732 ) The following table presents the details of “Other” total assets (in s): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 General corporate assets $ 369,084 $ 118,310 Investment in affiliates 2,484 2,025 $ 371,568 $ 120,335

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	(6) Long-Term Debt The Company has an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a group of commercial banks, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the administrative agent bank, allowing for an $850,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) and an unsecured term loan (“Term Loan”) with a maturity date of March 27, 2024. The Term Loan is repayable in quarterly installments currently scheduled to commence September 30, 2023, with $343,750,000 due on March 27, 2024. The Term Loan is prepayable, in whole or in part, without penalty. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had availability of $484,637,000 under the Revolving Credit Facility. On February 27, 2020, upon maturity, the Company repaid in full $150,000,000 of 2.72% unsecured senior notes. The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of debt outstanding (in thousands): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Revolving Credit Facility (a) $ 360,000 $ 360,000 $ — $ — Term Loan (a) 375,000 375,000 375,000 375,000 2.72% senior notes due February 27, 2020 — — 150,000 151,547 3.29% senior notes due February 27, 2023 350,000 362,820 350,000 353,216 4.2% senior notes due March 1, 2028 500,000 585,096 500,000 541,546 Bank notes payable 155 155 16 16 Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs (b) (6,811 ) — (5,249 ) — $ 1,578,344 $ 1,683,071 $ 1,369,767 $ 1,421,325 (a) Variable interest rates of and at and , respectively. (b) Excludes $ attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility included in other assets at . The fair value of debt outstanding was determined using inputs characteristic of a Level 2 fair value measurement. The following table presents borrowings and payments under the bank credit facilities (in s): Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 Borrowings on bank credit facilities $ 582,212 $ 1,294,647 Payments on bank credit facilities (222,073 ) (1,712,024 ) $ 360,139 $ (417,377 )

Leases

Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	(7) Leases The Company currently leases various facilities and equipment under cancelable and noncancelable operating leases. The accounting for the Company’s leases may require judgments, which include determining whether a contract contains a lease, allocating the consideration between lease and non-lease components, and determining the incremental borrowing rates. Leases with an initial noncancelable term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has also elected to combine lease and non-lease components on all classes of leased assets, except for leased towing vessels for which the Company estimates approximately 75% of the costs relate to service costs and other non-lease components. Variable lease costs relate primarily to real estate executory costs (i.e. taxes, insurance and maintenance). Future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 2020 $ 10,643 $ 33,374 2021 38,059 25,911 2022 33,014 23,098 2023 27,500 19,162 2024 23,063 15,330 Thereafter 117,351 92,991 Total lease payments 249,630 209,866 Less: imputed interest (49,201 ) (43,085 ) Operating lease liabilities $ 200,429 $ 166,781 The following table sets forth lease costs (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Operating lease cost $ 11,553 $ 9,490 $ 32,467 $ 29,461 Variable lease cost 485 386 1,081 1,417 Short-term lease cost 4,645 7,727 17,998 24,582 Sublease income (418 ) (366 ) (792 ) (924 ) $ 16,265 $ 17,237 $ 50,754 $ 54,536 The following table summarizes other supplemental information about the Company’s operating leases : September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Weighted average discount rate 4.1 % 4.0 % Weighted average remaining lease term 10 years 11 years

Impairments and Other Charges

Impairments and Other Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Impairments and Other Charges [Abstract]
Impairments and Other Charges	(8) Impairments and Other Charges During the 2020 first quarter, Kirby’s market capitalization declined significantly compared to the 2019 fourth quarter. Over the same period, the overall United States stock market also declined significantly amid market volatility. In addition, as a result of uncertainty surrounding the outbreak of COVID-19 and a sharp decline in oil prices during the 2020 first quarter, many of the Company’s oil and gas customers responded by quickly cutting 2020 capital spending budgets and activity levels quickly declined. Lower activity levels have resulted in a decline in drilling activity, resulting in lower demand for new and remanufactured oilfield equipment and related parts and service in the distribution and services segment. As a result, the Company concluded that a triggering event had occurred and performed interim quantitative impairment tests as of March 31, 2020 for certain of the distribution and services segment’s long-lived assets and goodwill. The Company determined the estimated fair value of such long-lived assets and reporting units using a discounted cash flow analysis and a market approach for comparable companies. This analysis included management’s judgment regarding short-term and long-term internal forecasts, updated for recent events, appropriate discount rates, and capital expenditures using inputs characteristic of a Level 3 fair value measurement. In performing the impairment test of long-lived assets within the distribution and services segment, the Company determined that the carrying value of certain long-lived assets, including property and equipment as well as intangible assets associated with customer relationships, tradenames, and distributorships, were no longer recoverable, resulting in an impairment charge of to reduce such long-lived assets to fair value Based upon the results of the goodwill impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying value of one reporting unit in the distribution and services segment exceeded its estimated fair value. goodwill impairment charge of was calculated as the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, and after recording impairments of long-lived assets identified above, exceeded its estimated fair value, In addition, the Company determined cost exceeded net realizable value for certain oilfield and pressure pumping related inventory, resulting in an non-cash write-down The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill (in thousands): Marine Transportation Distribution and Services Total Balance at December 31, 2019 (gross) $ 424,149 $ 549,846 $ 973,995 Accumulated impairment and amortization (18,574 ) (1,595 ) (20,169 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 405,575 548,251 953,826 Impairment — (387,970 ) (387,970 ) Savage acquisition 81,635 — 81,635 Convoy acquisition — 10,309 10,309 Balance at September 30, 2020 (gross) 505,784 560,155 1,065,939 Accumulated impairment and amortization (18,574 ) (389,565 ) (408,139 ) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 487,210 $ 170,590 $ 657,800

Stock Award Plans

Stock Award Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]
Stock Award Plans	(9) Stock Award Plans During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted 153,460 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and 114,600 stock options to selected officers and other key employees under its employee stock award plan. The RSUs vest ratably over five years and the stock options become exercisable ratably over three years and expire after seven years. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted 39,913 shares of restricted stock to nonemployee directors of the Company under the director stock award plan. The restricted stock vests six months after the date of grant except that restricted stock granted in lieu of cash director fees vests in equal quarterly increments through March 31, 2021. The compensation cost that has been charged against earnings for the Company’s stock award plans and the income tax benefit recognized in the statement of earnings for stock awards were as follows (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Compensation cost $ 3,414 $ 3,172 $ 12,066 $ 11,079 Income tax benefit $ 1,181 $ 813 $ 3,332 $ 2,722

Taxes on Income

Taxes on Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Taxes on Income [Abstract]
Taxes on Income	(10) Taxes on Income On March 27, 2020, the United States Congress passed and the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) into law to address the COVID-19 pandemic. One provision of the CARES Act allows net operating losses generated in 2018 through 2020 to be carried back up to five years. Pursuant to this provision of the CARES Act, the Company recorded a federal current benefit for taxes on income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 due to carrying back net operating losses generated between 2018 and 2020 used to offset taxable income generated between 2013 and 2017. This caused a reduction in the effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as net operating losses carried back to tax years 2013 through 2017 At September 30, 2020 , the Company had a federal income tax receivable of $ included in Accounts Receivable – Other on the balance sheet. Earnings (loss) before taxes on income and details of the provision (benefit) for taxes on income were as follows (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Earnings (loss) before taxes on income: United States $ 19,246 $ 64,550 $ (476,382 ) $ 186,205 Foreign 28 (95 ) (282 ) (704 ) $ 19,274 $ 64,455 $ (476,664 ) $ 185,501 Provision for taxes on income: Federal: Current $ (33,690 ) $ — $ (189,994 ) $ — Deferred 23,350 14,495 16,056 40,502 State and local: Current 1,257 1,675 1,875 4,820 Deferred 620 — (10,674 ) — Foreign - current 44 135 80 132 $ (8,419 ) $ 16,305 $ (182,657 ) $ 45,454

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	(11) Earnings Per Share The following table presents the components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby $ 27,489 $ 47,987 $ (294,750 ) $ 139,570 Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares (57 ) (128 ) — (369 ) Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders – basic 27,432 47,859 (294,750 ) 139,201 Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares 57 128 — 369 Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares (57 ) (128 ) — (368 ) Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders – diluted $ 27,432 $ 47,859 $ (294,750 ) $ 139,202 Shares outstanding: Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding 60,038 59,908 60,015 59,891 Weighted average unvested restricted stock (123 ) (159 ) (112 ) (158 ) Weighted average common stock outstanding – basic 59,915 59,749 59,903 59,733 Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units 16 157 — 146 Weighted average common stock outstanding – diluted 59,931 59,906 59,903 59,879 Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders: Basic $ 0.46 $ 0.80 $ (4.92 ) $ 2.33 Diluted $ 0.46 $ 0.80 $ (4.92 ) $ 2.32 Certain outstanding options to purchase approximately and shares of common stock were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as such stock options would have been antidilutive. Certain outstanding RSUs to convert to and shares of common stock were also excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 as such RSUs would have been antidilutive.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	(12) Inventories The following table presents the details of inventories – net (in thousands) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Finished goods $ 269,604 $ 291,214 Work in process 51,829 60,187 $ 321,433 $ 351,401

Retirement Plans

Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	(13) Retirement Plans The Company sponsors a defined benefit plan for certain of its inland vessel personnel and shore based tankermen. The plan benefits are based on an employee’s years of service and compensation. The plan assets consist primarily of equity and fixed income securities. On April 12, 2017, the Company amended its pension plan to cease all benefit accruals for periods after May 31, 2017 for certain participants. Participants grandfathered and not impacted were those, as of the close of business on May 31, 2017, who either (a) had completed 15 years of pension service or (b) had attained age 50 and completed 10 years of pension service. Participants non-grandfathered are eligible to receive discretionary 401(k) plan contributions. The Company’s pension plan funding strategy is to make annual contributions in amounts equal to or greater than amounts necessary to meet minimum government funding requirements. The plan’s benefit obligations are based on a variety of demographic and economic assumptions, and the pension plan assets’ returns are subject to various risks, including market and interest rate risk, making an accurate prediction of the pension plan contribution difficult. Based on current pension plan assets and market conditions, the Company does not expect to make a contribution to the Kirby pension plan during 2020. On February 14, 2018 with the acquisition of Higman Marine, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Higman”), the Company assumed Higman’s pension plan for its inland vessel personnel and office staff. On March 27, 2018 the Company amended the Higman pension plan to close it to all new entrants and cease all benefit accruals for periods after May 15, 2018 for all participants. The Company made contributions of and $ to the Higman pension plan in the nine months ended September 30,2020 for the 2019 and 2020 plan years, respectively. The Company sponsors an unfunded defined benefit health care plan that provides limited postretirement medical benefits to employees who meet minimum age and service requirements, and to eligible dependents. The plan limits cost increases in the Company’s contribution to 4% per year. The plan is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted annually. The plan eliminated coverage for future retirees as of December 31, 2011. The Company also has an unfunded defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) that was assumed in an acquisition in 1999. That plan ceased to accrue additional benefits effective January 1, 2000. The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s defined benefit plans were as follows (in s): Pension Benefits Pension Plan SERP Three months ended September 30, Three months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 1,917 $ 1,841 $ — $ — Interest cost 3,919 4,123 10 13 Expected return on plan assets (5,960 ) (5,239 ) — — Amortization of actuarial loss 994 359 8 7 Net periodic benefit cost $ 870 $ 1,084 $ 18 $ 20 Pension Benefits Pension Plan SERP Nine months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 5,753 $ 5,523 $ — $ — Interest cost 11,758 12,370 30 39 Expected return on plan assets (17,883 ) (15,717 ) — — Amortization of actuarial loss 1,651 1,078 26 21 Net periodic benefit cost $ 1,279 $ 3,254 $ 56 $ 60 The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s postretirement benefit plan were as follows (in s): Other Postretirement Benefits Postretirement Welfare Plan Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ — $ — $ — $ — Interest cost 6 7 17 23 Amortization of actuarial gain (131 ) (135 ) (392 ) (405 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ (125 ) $ (128 ) $ (375 ) $ (382 )

Other Comprehensive Income

Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income	(14) Other Comprehensive Income The Company’s changes in other comprehensive income were as follows (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, 2020 2019 Gross Amount Income Tax (Provision) Benefit Net Amount Gross Amount Income Tax Provision Net Amount Pension and postretirement benefits ( a ) Amortization of net actuarial loss $ 871 $ (219 ) $ 652 $ 231 $ (59 ) $ 172 Actuarial losses (6,592 ) 1,661 (4,931 ) — — — Foreign currency translation (239 ) — (239 ) (618 ) — (618 ) Total $ (5,960 ) $ 1,442 $ (4,518 ) $ (387 ) $ (59 ) $ (446 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 Gross Amount Income Tax (Provision) Benefit Net Amount Gross Amount Income Tax Provision Net Amount Pension and postretirement benefits (a): Amortization of net actuarial loss $ 1,285 $ (324 ) $ 961 $ 694 $ (177 ) $ 517 Actuarial gains (losses) (10,201 ) 2,566 (7,635 ) 8,167 (2,044 ) 6,123 Foreign currency translation (1,162 ) — (1,162 ) (542 ) — (542 ) Total $ (10,078 ) $ 2,242 $ (7,836 ) $ 8,319 $ (2,221 ) $ 6,098 (a) Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into other income. (See Note 13, Retirement Plans)

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Contingencies [Abstract]
Contingencies	(15) Contingencies On May 10, 2019 , tank barges and a towboat, the M/V Voyager, owned and operated by Kirby Inland Marine, LP (“Kirby Inland Marine”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, were struck by the LPG tanker, the Genesis River, in the Houston Ship Channel. The bow of the Genesis River penetrated the Kirby 30015 T and capsized the MMI 3014 . The collision penetrated the hull of the Kirby 30015 T causing its cargo, reformate, to be discharged into the water. The United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) and the National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) designated the owner and pilot of the Genesis River as well as the subsidiary of the Company as parties of interest in their investigation into the cause of the incident. On June 19, 2019 , the Company filed a limitation action in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas - Galveston Division seeking limitation of liability and asserting that the Genesis River and her owner/manager are at fault for damages including removal costs and claims under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and maritime law. Multiple claimants have filed claims in the limitation seeking damages under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 . The Company has various insurance policies covering liabilities including pollution, marine and general liability and believes that it has satisfactory insurance coverage for the potential liabilities arising from the incident. The Company believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate for the incident and does not expect the incident to have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition. On October 13, 2016 , the tug Nathan E. Stewart and barge DBL 55 , an articulated tank barge and tugboat unit (“ATB”) owned and operated by Kirby Offshore Marine, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, ran aground at the entrance to Seaforth Channel on Atholone Island, British Columbia. The grounding resulted in a breach of a portion of the Nathan E. Stewart’s fuel tanks causing a discharge of diesel fuel into the water. The USCG and the NTSB designated the Company as a party of interest in their investigation as to the cause of the incident. The Canadian authorities including Transport Canada and the Canadian Transportation Safety Board investigated the cause of the incident. On October 10, 2018 , the Heiltsuk First Nation filed a civil action in the British Columbia Supreme Court against a subsidiary of the Company, the master and pilot of the tug, the vessels and the Canadian government seeking unquantified damages as a result of the incident. On May 1, 2019 , the Company filed a limitation action in the Federal Court of Canada seeking limitation of liability relating to the incident as provided under admiralty law. The Heiltsuk First Nation’s civil claim has been consolidated into the Federal Court limitation action as of July 26, 2019 and it is expected that the Federal Court of Canada will decide all claims against the Company. The Company is unable to estimate the potential exposure in the civil proceeding. The Company has various insurance policies covering liabilities including pollution, property, marine and general liability and believes that it has satisfactory insurance coverage for the cost of cleanup and salvage operations as well as other potential liabilities arising from the incident. The Company believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate for the incident and does not expect the incident to have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition. On March 22, 2014 , tank barges and a towboat, the M/V Miss Susan, owned by Kirby Inland Marine, were involved in a collision with the M/S Summer Wind on the Houston Ship Channel near Texas City, Texas. The lead tank barge was damaged in the collision resulting in a discharge of intermediate fuel oil from of its cargo tanks. The Company is participating in the natural resource damage assessment and restoration process with federal and state government natural resource trustees. The Company believes it has adequate insurance coverage for pollution, marine and other potential liabilities arising from the incident. The Company believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate for the incident and does not expect the incident to have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition. In addition, the Company is involved in various legal and other proceedings which are incidental to the conduct of its business, none of which in the opinion of management will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Management believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate and believes that it has adequate insurance coverage or has meritorious defenses for these other claims and contingencies. The Company has issued guaranties or obtained standby letters of credit and performance bonds supporting performance by the Company and its subsidiaries of contractual or contingent legal obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business. The aggregate notional value of these instruments is at September 30, 2020, including in letters of credit and in performance bonds. All of these instruments have an expiration date within . The Company does not believe demand for payment under these instruments is likely and expects no material cash outlays to occur regarding these instruments.

Accounting Standards Adoptions

Accounting Standards Adoptions (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Standards Adoptions [Abstract]
Accounting Standards Adoptions	In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, Income Taxes. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans” which amends the annual disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by removing certain requirements, providing clarification on existing requirements and adding new requirements including adding an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this update are required to be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact on its disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”) which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 in the goodwill impairment test that required an entity to perform procedures to determine the fair value of its assets and liabilities at the testing date. An entity instead shall perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value and record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, incorporating all tax impacts caused by the recognition of the impairment loss

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the Savage and Convoy acquisitions recorded at the respective acquisition dates were as follows (in thousands): Savage Convoy Assets: Accounts receivable $ — $ 5,677 Inventories — 11,771 Prepaid expenses 1,067 177 Property and equipment 210,065 415 Operating lease right-of-use assets 27,085 3,713 Goodwill 81,635 10,309 Other intangibles 2,300 17,170 Total assets $ 322,152 $ 49,232 Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 68 $ 8,339 Operating lease liabilities, including current portion 43,085 3,713 Total liabilities $ 43,153 $ 12,052 Net assets acquired $ 278,999 $ 37,180

Revenues (Tables)

Revenues (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues by Major Source	The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues by major source (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Marine transportation segment: Inland transportation $ 247,647 $ 316,000 $ 869,224 $ 909,247 Coastal transportation 72,955 96,665 235,622 275,825 $ 320,602 $ 412,665 $ 1,104,846 $ 1,185,072 Distribution and services segment: Oil and gas $ 48,741 $ 118,096 $ 158,043 $ 540,061 Commercial and industrial 127,224 136,048 418,763 457,339 $ 175,965 $ 254,144 $ 576,806 $ 997,400

Segment Data (Tables)

Segment Data (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Data [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	The following tables set forth the Company’s revenues and profit or loss by reportable segment and total assets (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenues: Marine transportation $ 320,602 $ 412,665 $ 1,104,846 $ 1,185,072 Distribution and services 175,965 254,144 576,806 997,400 $ 496,567 $ 666,809 $ 1,681,652 $ 2,182,472 Segment profit (loss): Marine transportation $ 32,391 $ 72,697 $ 134,482 $ 161,364 Distribution and services 1,104 9,132 (9,325 ) 69,869 Other (14,221 ) (17,374 ) (601,821 ) (45,732 ) $ 19,274 $ 64,455 $ (476,664 ) $ 185,501 September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Total assets: Marine transportation $ 4,795,002 $ 4,536,368 Distribution and services 814,550 1,422,394 Other 371,568 120,335 $ 5,981,120 $ 6,079,097
Other Segment Reporting Information	The following table presents the details of “Other” segment loss (in s): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 General corporate expenses $ (3,268 ) $ (3,554 ) $ (9,403 ) $ (10,284 ) Gain (loss) on disposition of assets (316 ) (374 ) (13 ) 4,901 Impairments and other charges — — (561,274 ) — Interest expense (11,809 ) (14,310 ) (37,316 ) (43,026 ) Other income 1,172 864 6,185 2,677 $ (14,221 ) $ (17,374 ) $ (601,821 ) $ (45,732 ) The following table presents the details of “Other” total assets (in s): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 General corporate assets $ 369,084 $ 118,310 Investment in affiliates 2,484 2,025 $ 371,568 $ 120,335

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Carrying Values and Fair Values of Debt Outstanding	The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of debt outstanding (in thousands): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Revolving Credit Facility (a) $ 360,000 $ 360,000 $ — $ — Term Loan (a) 375,000 375,000 375,000 375,000 2.72% senior notes due February 27, 2020 — — 150,000 151,547 3.29% senior notes due February 27, 2023 350,000 362,820 350,000 353,216 4.2% senior notes due March 1, 2028 500,000 585,096 500,000 541,546 Bank notes payable 155 155 16 16 Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs (b) (6,811 ) — (5,249 ) — $ 1,578,344 $ 1,683,071 $ 1,369,767 $ 1,421,325 (a) Variable interest rates of and at and , respectively. (b) Excludes $ attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility included in other assets at .
Borrowings and Payments Under the Bank Credit Facilities	The following table presents borrowings and payments under the bank credit facilities (in s): Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 Borrowings on bank credit facilities $ 582,212 $ 1,294,647 Payments on bank credit facilities (222,073 ) (1,712,024 ) $ 360,139 $ (417,377 )

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Leases	Future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year were as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 2020 $ 10,643 $ 33,374 2021 38,059 25,911 2022 33,014 23,098 2023 27,500 19,162 2024 23,063 15,330 Thereafter 117,351 92,991 Total lease payments 249,630 209,866 Less: imputed interest (49,201 ) (43,085 ) Operating lease liabilities $ 200,429 $ 166,781
Lease Cost	The following table sets forth lease costs (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Operating lease cost $ 11,553 $ 9,490 $ 32,467 $ 29,461 Variable lease cost 485 386 1,081 1,417 Short-term lease cost 4,645 7,727 17,998 24,582 Sublease income (418 ) (366 ) (792 ) (924 ) $ 16,265 $ 17,237 $ 50,754 $ 54,536
Operating Leases, Weighted Average Discount Rate and Remaining Lease Term	The following table summarizes other supplemental information about the Company’s operating leases : September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Weighted average discount rate 4.1 % 4.0 % Weighted average remaining lease term 10 years 11 years

Impairments and Other Charges (

Impairments and Other Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Impairments and Other Charges [Abstract]
Changes in Goodwill	The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill (in thousands): Marine Transportation Distribution and Services Total Balance at December 31, 2019 (gross) $ 424,149 $ 549,846 $ 973,995 Accumulated impairment and amortization (18,574 ) (1,595 ) (20,169 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 405,575 548,251 953,826 Impairment — (387,970 ) (387,970 ) Savage acquisition 81,635 — 81,635 Convoy acquisition — 10,309 10,309 Balance at September 30, 2020 (gross) 505,784 560,155 1,065,939 Accumulated impairment and amortization (18,574 ) (389,565 ) (408,139 ) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 487,210 $ 170,590 $ 657,800

Stock Award Plans (Tables)

Stock Award Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]
Compensation Cost Breakdown in Statement of Earnings	The compensation cost that has been charged against earnings for the Company’s stock award plans and the income tax benefit recognized in the statement of earnings for stock awards were as follows (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Compensation cost $ 3,414 $ 3,172 $ 12,066 $ 11,079 Income tax benefit $ 1,181 $ 813 $ 3,332 $ 2,722

Taxes on Income (Tables)

Taxes on Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Taxes on Income [Abstract]
Earnings Before Taxes	Earnings (loss) before taxes on income and details of the provision (benefit) for taxes on income were as follows (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Earnings (loss) before taxes on income: United States $ 19,246 $ 64,550 $ (476,382 ) $ 186,205 Foreign 28 (95 ) (282 ) (704 ) $ 19,274 $ 64,455 $ (476,664 ) $ 185,501 Provision for taxes on income: Federal: Current $ (33,690 ) $ — $ (189,994 ) $ — Deferred 23,350 14,495 16,056 40,502 State and local: Current 1,257 1,675 1,875 4,820 Deferred 620 — (10,674 ) — Foreign - current 44 135 80 132 $ (8,419 ) $ 16,305 $ (182,657 ) $ 45,454

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	The following table presents the components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby $ 27,489 $ 47,987 $ (294,750 ) $ 139,570 Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares (57 ) (128 ) — (369 ) Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders – basic 27,432 47,859 (294,750 ) 139,201 Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares 57 128 — 369 Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares (57 ) (128 ) — (368 ) Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders – diluted $ 27,432 $ 47,859 $ (294,750 ) $ 139,202 Shares outstanding: Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding 60,038 59,908 60,015 59,891 Weighted average unvested restricted stock (123 ) (159 ) (112 ) (158 ) Weighted average common stock outstanding – basic 59,915 59,749 59,903 59,733 Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units 16 157 — 146 Weighted average common stock outstanding – diluted 59,931 59,906 59,903 59,879 Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders: Basic $ 0.46 $ 0.80 $ (4.92 ) $ 2.33 Diluted $ 0.46 $ 0.80 $ (4.92 ) $ 2.32

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Inventories [Abstract]
Details of Inventories	The following table presents the details of inventories – net (in thousands) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Finished goods $ 269,604 $ 291,214 Work in process 51,829 60,187 $ 321,433 $ 351,401

Retirement Plans (Tables)

Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s defined benefit plans were as follows (in s): Pension Benefits Pension Plan SERP Three months ended September 30, Three months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 1,917 $ 1,841 $ — $ — Interest cost 3,919 4,123 10 13 Expected return on plan assets (5,960 ) (5,239 ) — — Amortization of actuarial loss 994 359 8 7 Net periodic benefit cost $ 870 $ 1,084 $ 18 $ 20 Pension Benefits Pension Plan SERP Nine months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ 5,753 $ 5,523 $ — $ — Interest cost 11,758 12,370 30 39 Expected return on plan assets (17,883 ) (15,717 ) — — Amortization of actuarial loss 1,651 1,078 26 21 Net periodic benefit cost $ 1,279 $ 3,254 $ 56 $ 60
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s postretirement benefit plan were as follows (in s): Other Postretirement Benefits Postretirement Welfare Plan Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Components of net periodic benefit cost: Service cost $ — $ — $ — $ — Interest cost 6 7 17 23 Amortization of actuarial gain (131 ) (135 ) (392 ) (405 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ (125 ) $ (128 ) $ (375 ) $ (382 )

Other Comprehensive Income (Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Changes in Other Comprehensive Income	The Company’s changes in other comprehensive income were as follows (in thousands): Three months ended September 30, 2020 2019 Gross Amount Income Tax (Provision) Benefit Net Amount Gross Amount Income Tax Provision Net Amount Pension and postretirement benefits ( a ) Amortization of net actuarial loss $ 871 $ (219 ) $ 652 $ 231 $ (59 ) $ 172 Actuarial losses (6,592 ) 1,661 (4,931 ) — — — Foreign currency translation (239 ) — (239 ) (618 ) — (618 ) Total $ (5,960 ) $ 1,442 $ (4,518 ) $ (387 ) $ (59 ) $ (446 ) Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 Gross Amount Income Tax (Provision) Benefit Net Amount Gross Amount Income Tax Provision Net Amount Pension and postretirement benefits (a): Amortization of net actuarial loss $ 1,285 $ (324 ) $ 961 $ 694 $ (177 ) $ 517 Actuarial gains (losses) (10,201 ) 2,566 (7,635 ) 8,167 (2,044 ) 6,123 Foreign currency translation (1,162 ) — (1,162 ) (542 ) — (542 ) Total $ (10,078 ) $ 2,242 $ (7,836 ) $ 8,319 $ (2,221 ) $ 6,098 (a) Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into other income. (See Note 13, Retirement Plans)

Acquisitions (Details)

Acquisitions (Details) bbl in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)TowboatbblTankBarge	Jan. 03, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)TankBarge	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)TankBarge	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Purchase price				$ 129,371,000	$ 184,068,000
Cash paid for acquisition				81,635,000
Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill			$ 657,800,000	$ 657,800,000		$ 953,826,000
Liabilities [Abstract]
Acquisition related costs			$ 376,000
Inland Pressure Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired | TankBarge			5	5
Purchase price				$ 33,150,000
Savage Inland Marine, LLC [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Cash paid for acquisition	$ 278,999,000
Assets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	0
Inventories	0
Prepaid expenses	1,067,000
Property and equipment	210,065,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets	27,085,000
Goodwill	81,635,000
Other intangibles	2,300,000
Total assets	322,152,000
Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	68,000
Operating lease liabilities, including current portion	43,085,000
Total liabilities	43,153,000
Net assets acquired	278,999,000
Savage Inland Marine, LLC [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Other intangibles	$ 2,300,000
Liabilities [Abstract]
Intangible assets amortization period				10 years
Savage Inland Marine, LLC [Member] | Inland Tank Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired | TankBarge	92
Tank barge barrel capacity (in barrels) | bbl	2.5
Savage Inland Marine, LLC [Member] | Inland Towboats [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired | Towboat	45
Convoy [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Cash paid for acquisition		$ 37,180,000
Assets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable		5,677,000
Inventories		11,771,000
Prepaid expenses		177,000
Property and equipment		415,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets		3,713,000
Goodwill		10,309,000
Other intangibles		17,170,000
Total assets		49,232,000
Liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		8,339,000
Operating lease liabilities, including current portion		3,713,000
Total liabilities		12,052,000
Net assets acquired		37,180,000
Weighted average amortization period of intangibles				11 years
Convoy [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Other intangibles		9,000,000
Liabilities [Abstract]
Intangible assets amortization period				10 years
Convoy [Member] | Distributorships [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Other intangibles		8,000,000
Liabilities [Abstract]
Intangible assets amortization period				12 years
Convoy [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Other intangibles		$ 170,000
Liabilities [Abstract]
Intangible assets amortization period				3 years

Revenues (Details)

Revenues (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	$ 496,567,000	$ 666,809,000	$ 1,681,652,000	$ 2,182,472,000
Revenue recognized			37,153,000	75,105,000
Contract assets	0		0		$ 0
Marine Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	320,602,000	412,665,000	1,104,846,000	1,185,072,000
Marine Transportation [Member] | Inland Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	247,647,000	316,000,000	869,224,000	909,247,000
Marine Transportation [Member] | Coastal Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	72,955,000	96,665,000	235,622,000	275,825,000
Distribution and Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	175,965,000	254,144,000	576,806,000	997,400,000
Distribution and Services [Member] | Oil and Gas [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	48,741,000	118,096,000	158,043,000	540,061,000
Distribution and Services [Member] | Commercial and Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	$ 127,224,000	$ 136,048,000	$ 418,763,000	$ 457,339,000

Segment Data (Details)

Segment Data (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)Segment	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Segment Data [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | Segment			2
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 496,567,000	$ 666,809,000	$ 1,681,652,000	$ 2,182,472,000
Segment profit (loss)	19,274,000	64,455,000	(476,664,000)	185,501,000
Total assets	5,981,120,000		5,981,120,000		$ 6,079,097,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets	(316,000)	(374,000)	(13,000)	4,901,000
Interest expense	(11,809,000)	(14,310,000)	(37,316,000)	(43,026,000)
Other income	1,172,000	864,000	6,185,000	2,677,000
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	19,274,000	64,455,000	(476,664,000)	185,501,000
Marine Transportation [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	320,602,000	412,665,000	1,104,846,000	1,185,072,000
Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	175,965,000	254,144,000	576,806,000	997,400,000
Other [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Segment profit (loss)	(14,221,000)	(17,374,000)	(601,821,000)	(45,732,000)
Total assets	371,568,000		371,568,000		120,335,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
General corporate expenses	(3,268,000)	(3,554,000)	(9,403,000)	(10,284,000)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets	(316,000)	(374,000)	(13,000)	4,901,000
Impairments and other charges	0	0	(561,274,000)	0
Interest expense	(11,809,000)	(14,310,000)	(37,316,000)	(43,026,000)
Other income	1,172,000	864,000	6,185,000	2,677,000
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	(14,221,000)	(17,374,000)	(601,821,000)	(45,732,000)
Details of "Other" total assets [Abstract]
General corporate assets	369,084,000		369,084,000		118,310,000
Investment in affiliates	2,484,000		2,484,000		2,025,000
Total other assets	371,568,000		371,568,000		120,335,000
Reporting Segments [Member] | Marine Transportation [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	320,602,000	412,665,000	1,104,846,000	1,185,072,000
Segment profit (loss)	32,391,000	72,697,000	134,482,000	161,364,000
Total assets	4,795,002,000		4,795,002,000		4,536,368,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	32,391,000	72,697,000	134,482,000	161,364,000
Reporting Segments [Member] | Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	175,965,000	254,144,000	576,806,000	997,400,000
Segment profit (loss)	1,104,000	9,132,000	(9,325,000)	69,869,000
Total assets	814,550,000		814,550,000		$ 1,422,394,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	1,104,000	9,132,000	(9,325,000)	69,869,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	6,768,000	7,201,000	23,115,000	22,182,000
Segment profit (loss)	676,000	720,000	2,311,000	2,218,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	$ 676,000	$ 720,000	$ 2,311,000	$ 2,218,000

Long-Term Debt (Details)

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)		Feb. 27, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Payments on long-term debt			$ 150,000,000	$ 60,000,000
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value			1,578,344,000		$ 1,369,767,000
Fair value			1,683,071,000		1,421,325,000
Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs	[1]		(6,811,000)		(5,249,000)
Borrowings and Payments under the Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Borrowings (Payments) on bank credit facilities			$ 360,139,000	(417,377,000)
2.72% Senior Notes Due February 27, 2020 [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Interest rate			2.72%
Maturity Date			Feb. 27, 2020
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value			$ 0		150,000,000
Fair value			$ 0		151,547,000
3.29% Senior Notes Due February, 27 2023 [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Interest rate			3.29%
Maturity Date			Feb. 27, 2023
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value			$ 350,000,000		350,000,000
Fair value			$ 362,820,000		353,216,000
4.2% Senior Notes Due March March 1, 2028 [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Interest rate			4.20%
Maturity Date			Mar. 1, 2028
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value			$ 500,000,000		500,000,000
Fair value			585,096,000		541,546,000
Bank Note Payable [Member]
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value			155,000		16,000
Fair value			155,000		16,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 850,000,000
Credit facility, expiration date			Mar. 27, 2024
Credit facility and borrowings, amount available			$ 484,637,000
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value	[2]		360,000,000		0
Fair value	[2]		$ 360,000,000		$ 0
Variable interest rates			1.50%		2.90%
Amount excluded on unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs					$ 2,650,000
Borrowings and Payments under the Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Borrowings on bank credit facilities			$ 582,212,000	1,294,647,000
Payments on bank credit facilities			(222,073,000)	(1,712,024,000)
Borrowings (Payments) on bank credit facilities			$ 360,139,000	$ (417,377,000)
Term Loan [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, frequency of periodic payment			quarterly
Term loan			$ 343,750,000
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]
Carrying value	[2]		375,000,000		375,000,000
Fair value	[2]		$ 375,000,000		$ 375,000,000
Variable interest rates			1.50%		2.90%
Term Loan [Member] | 2.72% Senior Notes Due February 27, 2020 [Member]
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Payments on long-term debt		$ 150,000,000
[1]	Excludes $2,650,000 attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility included in other assets at December 31, 2019.
[2]	Variable interest rates of 1.5% and 2.9% at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Leases, Future Minimum Lease Pa

Leases, Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Percentage of costs relate to service costs for leased towing vessels	75.00%
Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases [Abstract]
2020	$ 10,643
2021/2020	38,059	$ 33,374
2022/2021	33,014	25,911
2023/2022	27,500	23,098
2024/2023	23,063	19,162
2024		15,330
Thereafter	117,351
Thereafter		92,991
Total lease payments	249,630	209,866
Less: imputed interest	(49,201)	(43,085)
Operating lease liabilities	$ 200,429	$ 166,781

Leases, Lease Cost (Details)

Leases, Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Lease Cost [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 11,553	$ 9,490	$ 32,467	$ 29,461
Variable lease cost	485	386	1,081	1,417
Short-term lease cost	4,645	7,727	17,998	24,582
Sublease income	(418)	(366)	(792)	(924)
Total lease cost	$ 16,265	$ 17,237	$ 50,754	$ 54,536

Leases, Other Supplemental Info

Leases, Other Supplemental Information (Details)	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Other Supplemental Information about Operating Leases [Abstract]
Weighted average discount rate	4.10%	4.00%
Weighted average remaining lease term	10 years	11 years

Impairments and Other Charges_2

Impairments and Other Charges (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Impairments and Other Charges [Abstract]
Impairment charge	$ 165,304,000
Non-cash write-down	8,000,000
Changes in Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance (gross)	973,995,000	$ 973,995,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization	(20,169,000)	(20,169,000)
Balance	953,826,000	953,826,000
Impairment		(387,970,000)
Savage acquisition		81,635,000
Convoy acquisition		10,309,000
Balance (gross)		1,065,939,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(408,139,000)
Balance		657,800,000
Marine Transportation [Member]
Changes in Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance (gross)	424,149,000	424,149,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization	(18,574,000)	(18,574,000)
Balance	405,575,000	405,575,000
Impairment		0
Savage acquisition		81,635,000
Convoy acquisition		0
Balance (gross)		505,784,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(18,574,000)
Balance		487,210,000
Distribution and Services [Member]
Changes in Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance (gross)	549,846,000	549,846,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization	(1,595,000)	(1,595,000)
Balance	$ 548,251,000	548,251,000
Impairment		(387,970,000)
Savage acquisition		0
Convoy acquisition		10,309,000
Balance (gross)		560,155,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(389,565,000)
Balance		$ 170,590,000

Stock Award Plans (Details)

Stock Award Plans (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020shares
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] | RSUs [Member]
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Number of restricted stock and units granted (in shares)	153,460
Vesting period	5 years
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Number of stock options granted (in shares)	114,600
Vesting period	3 years
Stock options expiration period	7 years
Director Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Number of restricted stock and units granted (in shares)	39,913
Vesting period	6 months

Stock Award Plans, Compensation

Stock Award Plans, Compensation Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]
Compensation cost	$ 3,414	$ 3,172	$ 12,066	$ 11,079
Income tax benefit	$ 1,181	$ 813	$ 3,332	$ 2,722

Taxes on Income (Details)

Taxes on Income (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate			21.00%		35.00%
Tax refund amount	$ (30,606,000)		$ (30,606,000)
Income tax receivable	159,557,000		159,557,000
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	19,274,000	$ 64,455,000	(476,664,000)	$ 185,501,000
Federal [Abstract]
Current	(33,690,000)	0	(189,994,000)	0
Deferred	23,350,000	14,495,000	16,056,000	40,502,000
State and local [Abstract]
Current	1,257,000	1,675,000	1,875,000	4,820,000
Deferred	620,000	0	(10,674,000)	0
Foreign - current	44,000	135,000	80,000	132,000
Total Provision (benefit) for taxes on income	(8,419,000)	16,305,000	$ (182,657,000)	45,454,000
COVID-19 [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Operating losses tax year			2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Tax benefit related to CARES Act			$ (58,746,000)
Decrease in deferred tax asset			$ (89,358,000)
COVID-19 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Number of years net operating losses carried			5 years
United States [Member]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	19,246,000	64,550,000	$ (476,382,000)	186,205,000
Foreign [Member]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	$ 28,000	$ (95,000)	$ (282,000)	$ (704,000)

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ 27,489	$ 47,987	$ (294,750)	$ 139,570
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares	(57)	(128)	0	(369)
Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders - basic	27,432	47,859	(294,750)	139,201
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares	57	128	0	369
Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares	(57)	(128)	0	(368)
Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders - diluted	$ 27,432	$ 47,859	$ (294,750)	$ 139,202
Shares outstanding [Abstract]
Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding (in shares)	60,038,000	59,908,000	60,015,000	59,891,000
Weighted average unvested restricted stock (in shares)	(123,000)	(159,000)	(112,000)	(158,000)
Weighted average common stock outstanding - basic (in shares)	59,915,000	59,749,000	59,903,000	59,733,000
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)	16,000	157,000	0	146,000
Weighted average common stock outstanding - diluted (in shares)	59,931,000	59,906,000	59,903,000	59,879,000
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.80	$ (4.92)	$ 2.33
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.80	$ (4.92)	$ 2.32
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)			681,000	297,000
RSUs [Member]
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)			162,000	5,000

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Details of inventories [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 269,604	$ 291,214
Work in process	51,829	60,187
Inventories - net	$ 321,433	$ 351,401

Retirement Plans (Details)

Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Service period of participants not impacted by pension plan amendment				15 years
Age of plan participants not impacted by pension plan amendment				50 years
Service period of participants who are age fifty not impacted by pension plan amendment				10 years
Pension plan defined benefit plan cost increase limit percentage				4.00%
Higman [Member] | Plan 2019 [Member]
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Pension contributions				$ 797,000
Higman [Member] | Plan 2020 [Member]
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Pension contributions				958,000
Higman [Member] | Plan 2020 [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Retirement Plans [Abstract]
Pension contributions	$ 480,000
Pension Plan [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost		$ 1,917,000	$ 1,841,000	5,753,000	$ 5,523,000
Interest cost		3,919,000	4,123,000	11,758,000	12,370,000
Expected return on plan assets		(5,960,000)	(5,239,000)	(17,883,000)	(15,717,000)
Amortization of actuarial (loss) gain		994,000	359,000	1,651,000	1,078,000
Net periodic benefit cost		870,000	1,084,000	1,279,000	3,254,000
SERP [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost		0	0	0	0
Interest cost		10,000	13,000	30,000	39,000
Expected return on plan assets		0	0	0	0
Amortization of actuarial (loss) gain		8,000	7,000	26,000	21,000
Net periodic benefit cost		18,000	20,000	56,000	60,000
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost		0	0	0	0
Interest cost		6,000	7,000	17,000	23,000
Amortization of actuarial (loss) gain		(131,000)	(135,000)	(392,000)	(405,000)
Net periodic benefit cost		$ (125,000)	$ (128,000)	$ (375,000)	$ (382,000)

Other Comprehensive Income (Det

Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Pension and postretirement benefits [Abstract]
Amortization of net actuarial loss, Gross Amount	[1]	$ 871	$ 231	$ 1,285	$ 694
Amortization of net actuarial loss, Income Tax (Provision) Benefit	[1]	(219)	(59)	(324)	(177)
Amortization of net actuarial loss, Net Amount	[1]	652	172	961	517
Actuarial gains (losses), Gross Amount	[1]	(6,592)	0	(10,201)	8,167
Actuarial gains (losses), Income Tax (Provision) Benefit	[1]	1,661	0	2,566	(2,044)
Actuarial gains (losses), Net Amount	[1]	(4,931)	0	(7,635)	6,123
Foreign currency translation, Gross Amount		(239)	(618)	(1,162)	(542)
Foreign currency translation, Income Tax (Provision) Benefit		0	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation, Net Amount		(239)	(618)	(1,162)	(542)
Total other comprehensive income, Gross Amount		(5,960)	(387)	(10,078)	8,319
Total other comprehensive income, Income Tax (Provision) Benefit		1,442	(59)	2,242	(2,221)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes		$ (4,518)	$ (446)	$ (7,836)	$ 6,098
[1]	Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into other income. (See Note 13, Retirement Plans)

Contingencies (Details)

Contingencies (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	May 10, 2019Vessel	Mar. 22, 2014VesselTankBarge
Guaranties [Abstract]
Issued guaranties	$ 22,954,000
Maximum [Member]
Guaranties [Abstract]
Guarantor obligations, expiration period	2 years
Performance Bonds [Member]
Guaranties [Abstract]
Issued guaranties	$ 11,773,000
Struck by LPG Tanker, the Genesis River [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Number of vessels involved in collision | Vessel		2
Collision with M/S Summer Wind [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Number of vessels involved in collision | Vessel			2
Number of vessels damaged in collision resulting in fuel oil discharge | TankBarge			1
Letters of Credit [Member]
Guaranties [Abstract]
Issued guaranties	$ 11,181,000