0001140361-21-005871 | 10-K | XBRL Viewer

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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 19, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	KIRBY CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000056047
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-07615
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-1884980
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
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 3,178,530,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		60,085,000

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 80,338	$ 24,737
Accounts receivable:
Trade - less allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,807 ($8,372 in 2019)	315,283	379,174
Other	284,899	104,175
Inventories - at lower of average cost or net realizable value	309,675	351,401
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	57,776	58,092
Total current assets	1,047,971	917,579
Property and equipment:
Marine transportation equipment	4,999,777	4,770,213
Land, buildings and equipment	615,623	553,877
Property and equipment	5,615,400	5,324,090
Accumulated depreciation	(1,698,330)	(1,546,980)
Property and equipment - net	3,917,070	3,777,110
Operating lease right-of-use assets	174,317	159,641
Investment in affiliates	2,689	2,025
Goodwill	657,800	953,826
Other intangibles, net	68,979	210,682
Other assets	55,348	58,234
Total assets	5,924,174	6,079,097
Current liabilities:
Bank notes payable	40	16
Income taxes payable	474	665
Accounts payable	162,507	206,778
Accrued liabilities:
Interest	11,272	12,700
Insurance premiums and claims	111,359	108,405
Employee compensation	32,918	42,875
Taxes - other than on income	44,366	39,286
Other	24,940	33,084
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	32,750	27,324
Deferred revenues	45,406	42,982
Total current liabilities	466,032	514,115
Long-term debt, net - less current portion	1,468,546	1,369,751
Deferred income taxes	606,844	588,204
Operating lease liabilities - less current portion	163,496	139,457
Other long-term liabilities	131,703	95,978
Total long-term liabilities	2,370,589	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 in 2020 and 2019	6,547	6,547
Additional paid-in capital	844,979	835,899
Accumulated other comprehensive income - net	(61,452)	(37,799)
Retained earnings	2,593,393	2,865,939
Treasury stock - at cost, 5,434,000 shares in 2020 and 5,513,000 shares in 2019	(299,161)	(301,963)
Total Kirby stockholders' equity	3,084,306	3,368,623
Noncontrolling interests	3,247	2,969
Total equity	3,087,553	3,371,592
Total liabilities and equity	$ 5,924,174	$ 6,079,097

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Trade, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 8,807	$ 8,372
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

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 2,171,408	$ 2,838,399	$ 2,970,697
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales and operating expenses	1,510,818	2,030,046	2,160,946
Selling, general and administrative	258,272	277,388	304,397
Taxes, other than on income	42,000	41,933	39,251
Depreciation and amortization	219,921	219,632	224,972
Impairments and other charges	561,274	35,525	85,407
Lease cancellation costs	0	0	2,403
Gain on disposition of assets	(118)	(8,152)	(1,968)
Total costs and expenses	2,592,167	2,596,372	2,815,408
Operating income (loss)	(420,759)	242,027	155,289
Other income	8,147	3,787	5,726
Interest expense	(48,739)	(55,994)	(46,856)
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	(461,351)	189,820	114,159
(Provision) benefit for taxes on income	189,759	(46,801)	(35,081)
Net earnings (loss)	(271,592)	143,019	79,078
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(954)	(672)	(626)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ (272,546)	$ 142,347	$ 78,452
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (4.55)	$ 2.38	$ 1.31
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (4.55)	$ 2.37	$ 1.31
Marine Transportation [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 1,404,265	$ 1,587,082	$ 1,483,143
Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 767,143	$ 1,251,317	$ 1,487,554

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	$ (271,592)	$ 143,019	$ 79,078
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes:
Pension and postretirement benefits	(23,320)	(4,203)	7,638
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(333)	(85)	(819)
Reclassification to retained earnings of stranded tax effects from tax reform	0	0	(7,925)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(23,653)	(4,288)	(1,106)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(295,245)	138,731	77,972
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(954)	(672)	(626)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ (296,199)	$ 138,059	$ 77,346

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ (271,592)	$ 143,019	$ 79,078
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	219,921	219,632	224,972
Provision (credit) for doubtful accounts	3,716	(873)	1,289
Provision for deferred income taxes	25,163	46,839	34,881
Gain on disposition of assets	(118)	(8,152)	(1,968)
Impairments and other charges	561,274	35,525	85,407
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	14,722	13,612	19,104
Amortization of major maintenance costs	30,214	23,962	20,760
Other	(90)	1,683	863
Increase (decrease) in cash flows resulting from changes in:
Accounts receivable	(124,941)	43,078	12,511
Inventory	47,076	122,773	(144,685)
Other assets	(29,994)	(25,470)	(38,090)
Income taxes payable	8,826	(2,503)	(457)
Accounts payable	(39,795)	(57,405)	22,622
Accrued and other liabilities	558	(43,907)	30,712
Net cash provided by operating activities	444,940	511,813	346,999
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(148,185)	(248,164)	(301,861)
Acquisitions of businesses and marine equipment, net of cash acquired	(354,972)	(262,491)	(533,897)
Proceeds from disposition of assets and other	17,310	57,657	53,142
Net cash used in investing activities	(485,847)	(452,998)	(782,616)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings (payments) on bank credit facilities, net	250,024	(417,376)	(78,455)
Borrowings on long-term debt	0	500,000	499,295
Payments on long-term debt	(150,000)	(125,000)	0
Payment of debt issue costs	0	(2,397)	(4,276)
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	(676)	(817)	(915)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	353	5,743	13,264
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	(776)
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation	(3,193)	(2,031)	(4,822)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	96,508	(41,878)	423,315
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	55,601	16,937	(12,302)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	24,737	7,800	20,102
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	80,338	24,737	7,800
Cash paid (received) during the period:
Interest paid	48,721	55,766	40,772
Income taxes paid (refunded)	(35,571)	2,926	640
Operating cash outflow from operating leases	43,639	39,376	0
Non-cash investing activity:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	(13,280)	13,875	(16,441)
Cash acquired in acquisition	557	0	2,313
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations	$ 46,511	$ 21,195	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 6,547		$ 802,961		$ (32,405)		$ 2,646,937		$ (313,220)		$ 3,403		$ 3,114,223
Beginning balance (ASU 2014-09 [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ (9,722)		$ 0		$ 0		$ (9,722)
Beginning balance (ASU 2018-02 [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ 7,925		$ 0		$ 0		$ 7,925
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	65,472								(5,783)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock option exercises	$ 0		2,161		0		0		$ 11,151		0		13,312
Stock option exercises (in shares)	0								232
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures	$ 0		(879)		0		0		$ 879		0		0
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)	0								15
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting	$ 0		0		0		0		$ (4,822)		0		(4,822)
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting (in shares)	0								(61)
Treasury stock purchases	$ 0		0		0		0		$ (776)		0		(776)
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)	0								(11)
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation	$ 0		19,104		0		0		$ 0		0		19,104
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	0		0		(1,106)		78,452		0		626		77,972
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0		0		0		(915)		(915)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 6,547		823,347		(33,511)		2,723,592		$ (306,788)		3,114		3,216,301
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	65,472								(5,608)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock option exercises	$ 0		675		0		0		$ 5,121		0		5,796
Stock option exercises (in shares)	0								93
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures	$ 0		(1,735)		0		0		$ 1,735		0		0
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures (in shares)	0								32
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		13,612		0		0		$ 0		0		13,612
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	0		0		(4,288)		142,347		0		672		138,731
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0		0		0		(817)		(817)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 6,547		835,899		(37,799)		2,865,939		$ (301,963)		2,969		3,371,592
Ending 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		(5,668)		0		0		$ 5,668		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		14,722		0		0		$ 0		0		14,722
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	0		0		(23,653)		(272,546)		0		954		(295,245)
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0		0		0		(676)		(676)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 6,547		$ 844,979		$ (61,452)		$ 2,593,393		$ (299,161)		$ 3,247		$ 3,087,553
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020	65,472								(5,434)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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”). All 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. Such reclassifications have no impact on previously reported net earnings (loss), stockholders’ equity, or cash flows.

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-trade as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $91,850,000 and $103,996,000, respectively, of accruals for revenues earned which have not been invoiced as of the end of each year.

The Company’s marine transportation and distribution and 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-other as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $83,145,000 and $72,591,000, 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 distribution and services customers are oilfield service companies, oil and gas operators and producers, on-highway transportation companies, marine transportation companies, commercial fishing companies, construction 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.

Property, Maintenance and Repairs. Property is recorded at cost or acquisition date fair value; improvements and betterments are capitalized as incurred. Depreciation is recorded using 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. The Company recognized amortization of major maintenance costs of $30,214,000, $23,962,000 and $20,760,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, in costs of sales and operating expenses. Routine repairs and maintenance on ocean-going vessels are expensed as incurred. Interest is capitalized on the construction of new ocean-going vessels. Interest expense excludes capitalized interest of $1,003,000 and $2,206,000 for the years ending December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2020, no interest was capitalized.

Environmental Liabilities. The Company expenses costs related to environmental events as they are incurred or when a loss is considered probable and reasonably 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 tests at November 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018. The Company also conducted an interim goodwill impairment test at March 31, 2020. Refer to Note 7, Impairments and other charges for more information. 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 amount of goodwill impairment, if any, is typically measured based on projected discounted future operating cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill (in thousands):

	Marine Transportation			Distribution and Services			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017 (gross)	$	403,376		$	549,226		$	952,602
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(15,872	)		(1,595	)		(17,467	)
Balance at December 31, 2017		387,504			547,631			935,135
Impairment		(2,702	)		—			(2,702	)
Higman acquisition		4,657			—			4,657
Targa acquisition		16,116			—			16,116
Other		—			620			620
Balance at December 31, 2018 (gross)		424,149			549,846			973,995
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(18,574	)		(1,595	)		(20,169	)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	405,575		$	548,251		$	953,826

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 December 31, 2020 (gross)		505,784			560,155			1,065,939
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(18,574	)		(389,565	)		(408,139	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	487,210		$	170,590		$	657,800

Other Intangibles. Other intangibles include assets for favorable contracts and customer relationships, distributorship and dealership agreements, trade names and non-compete agreements and liabilities for unfavorable leases and contracts. The following table summarizes the balances of other intangible assets and other intangible liabilities (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2020			2019
Other intangible assets – gross	$	203,217		$	332,656
Accumulated amortization		(134,238	)		(121,974	)
Other intangible assets – net	$	68,979		$	210,682

Other intangible liabilities – gross	$	13,860		$	13,860
Accumulated amortization		(10,960	)		(7,956	)
Other intangible liabilities – net	$	2,900		$	5,904

The costs of intangible assets and liabilities are amortized to expense in a systematic and rational manner over their estimated useful lives. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the amortization expense for intangibles was $9,235,000, $15,040,000 and $16,760,000, respectively. Estimated net amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets and liabilities for the next five years (2021 – 2025) is approximately $7,749,000, $7,466,000, $7,947,000, $8,513,000 and $8,513,000, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the weighted average amortization period for intangible assets and liabilities was approximately nine years.

Revenue Recognition. The majority of marine transportation revenue is derived from term contracts, ranging from one to three 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 provides 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. The performance of the service is invoiced as the transaction occurs and payment is required depending on each specific customer’s credit.

Distribution products and services are generally sold based upon purchase orders or preferential service agreements with the customer that include fixed or determinable prices. Parts sales are recognized when control transfers to the customer, generally when title passes upon shipment to customers. Service revenue is recognized over time as the service is provided using measures of progress utilizing hours worked or costs incurred as a percentage of estimated hours or expected costs. Revenue from rental agreements is recognized on a straight-line basis over the rental period. The Company recognizes the revenues on contract manufacturing activities upon shipment and transfer of control to the customer. The transactions in the distribution and services segment are typically invoiced as parts are shipped or upon the completion of the service job. Contract manufacturing activities are generally invoiced upon shipment and the Company will often get deposits from its customers prior to starting work, or progress payments during the project depending on the credit worthiness of the customer and the size of the project.

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 for all grants made under the director plan and for grants made under the employee plan prior to February 19, 2018 is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the stock option or restricted stock. On February 19, 2018, the employee stock award plan was amended to also allow for the granting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to selected officers and other key employees. The amendment included a provision for the continued vesting of unvested stock options and RSUs for employees who meet certain years of service and age requirements at the time of their retirement. The vesting change resulted in shorter expense accrual periods on stock options and RSUs granted after February 19, 2018 to employees who are nearing retirement and meet the service and age requirements. Stock option grants are valued at the date of grant as calculated under the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. The Company’s stock-based compensation plans are more fully described in Note 8, 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 the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were $30,564,000, $32,372,000, and $29,306,000, respectively.

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 performs an impairment assessment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of long-lived 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.

If a triggering event is identified, the Company compares the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset group. If the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of the impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to its estimated fair value. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

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 fair value of the Company’s debt instruments is described in Note 5, Long-Term Debt.

Accounting Standards

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued 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” (“ASU 2018-14”) 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. The Company adopted ASU 2018-14 on December 31, 2020 on a retrospective basis.

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. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 on January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis. See Note 7, Impairments and Other Charges for further details.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019 under the optional transition method that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption and will not restate prior periods. The Company also elected certain practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance which allowed the Company to carryforward its historical lease classification and for the non-recognition of short-term leases. Adoption of ASU 2016-02 resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets for operating leases of $168,149,000 and lease liabilities for operating leases of $175,778,000 on the Company’s Condensed Balance Sheets as of January 1, 2019, with no material impact to the Condensed Statements of Earnings or Cash Flows. The Company did not have any financing leases as of January 1, 2019. See Note 6, Leases for additional information.

Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Acquisitions [Abstract]

Acquisitions

(2)	Acquisitions

During 2020, the Company purchased six newly constructed inland pressure barges for $39,350,000 in cash.

On April 1, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of the inland tank barge fleet of Savage Inland Marine, LLC (“Savage”) for $278,999,000 in cash. Savage’s tank barge fleet consisted of 92 inland tank barges with approximately 2.5 million barrels of capacity and 45 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. The Company considers Savage to be a natural extension of the current marine transportation segment, expanding the capabilities of the Company’s inland based marine transportation business and lowering the average age of its fleet.

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
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

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 $2,300,000 from Savage with an amortization period of 10 years. Acquisition related costs of $376,000, consisting primarily of legal and other professional fees, were expensed as incurred to selling, general and administrative expense. All goodwill recorded for the Savage acquisition will be deductible for tax purposes.

The Company acquired intangible assets from Convoy with a weighted average amortization period of 11 years, consisting of $9,000,000 for customer relationships with an amortization period of 10 years, $8,000,000 for distributorships with an amortization period of 12 years and $170,000 for non-compete agreements with an amortization period of three years. All goodwill recorded for the Convoy acquisition will be deductible for tax purposes.

Pro forma results of the acquisitions made in the 2020 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.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company purchased, from various counterparties, a barge fleeting operation in Lake Charles, Louisiana and nine inland tank barges from leasing companies for an aggregate of $17,991,000 in cash. The Company had been leasing the barges prior to the purchases.

On March 14, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of the marine transportation fleet of Cenac Marine Services, LLC (“Cenac”) for $244,500,000 in cash. Cenac’s fleet consisted of 63 inland 30,000 barrel tank barges with approximately 1,833,000 barrels of capacity, 34 inland towboats and two offshore tugboats. Cenac transported petrochemicals, refined products and black oil, including crude oil, residual fuels, feedstocks and lubricants on the lower Mississippi River, its tributaries, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway for major oil companies and refiners. The average age of the inland tank barges was approximately five years and the inland towboats had an average age of approximately seven years.

The Company considers Cenac to be a natural extension of the current marine transportation segment, expanding the capabilities of the Company’s inland based marine transportation business and lowering the average age of its inland tank barge and towboat fleet.

The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the Cenac acquisition and recorded at the acquisition date were as follows (in thousands):

Prepaid expenses	$	1,138
Property and equipment		247,122
Other intangibles		340
Total assets	$	248,600

Other long-term liabilities	$	4,100
Net assets acquired	$	244,500

The Company acquired intangible assets with an amortization period of two years and incurred long-term intangible liabilities related to unfavorable contracts with a weighted average amortization period of approximately 1.3 years. Acquisition related costs of $442,000, consisting primarily of legal and other professional fees, were expensed as incurred to selling, general and administrative expense in 2019.

On December 28, 2018, the Company purchased three inland tank barges from a leasing company for $3,120,000 in cash. The Company had been leasing the barges prior to the purchase.

On December 14, 2018, the Company purchased 27 inland tank barges with a barrel capacity of 306,000 barrels from CGBM 100, LLC for $28,500,000 in cash. The 27 tank barges transport petrochemicals and refined products on the Mississippi River System and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The average age of the barges was eight years.

On November 30, 2018, the Company purchased an inland towboat from a leasing company for $3,050,000 in cash. The Company had been leasing the towboat prior to the purchase.

On May 10, 2018, the Company completed the purchase of Targa Resources Corp.’s (“Targa”) inland tank barge business from a subsidiary of Targa for $69,250,000 in cash. Targa’s inland tank barge fleet consisted of 16 pressure barges with a total capacity of 258,000 barrels, many of which were under multi-year contracts that the Company assumed from Targa. The 16 tank barges transport petrochemicals on the Mississippi River System and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recorded $16,116,000 of goodwill and $11,000,000 of intangibles with an average amortization period of 15 years. All goodwill recorded for the Targa acquisition will be deductible for tax purposes.

On March 15, 2018, the Company purchased two inland pressure tank barges from a competitor for $10,400,000 in cash. The average age of the two tank barges was five years.

On February 14, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Higman Marine, Inc. (“Higman”) for $421,922,000 in cash. Higman’s fleet consisted of 163 inland tank barges with 4.8 million barrels of capacity, and 75 inland towboats, transporting petrochemicals, black oil, including crude oil and natural gas condensate, and refined petroleum products on the Mississippi River System and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The average age of the inland tank barges was approximately seven years and the inland towboats had an average age of approximately eight years. Financing of the acquisition was through the issuance of the 2028 Notes (as defined in Note 5, Long-Term Debt) issued on February 12, 2018 in preparation for closing of the acquisition.

The Company considers Higman to be a natural extension of the current marine transportation segment, expanding the capabilities of the Company’s inland based marine transportation business and lowering the average age of its inland tank barge and towboat fleet.

The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the Higman acquisition and recorded at the acquisition date were as follows (in thousands):

Cash	$	2,313
Accounts receivable		27,527
Prepaid expenses		5,323
Property and equipment		497,951
Goodwill		4,657
Other assets		30
Total assets	$	537,801

Accounts payable	$	17,012
Accrued liabilities		14,127
Deferred income taxes		40,524
Other long-term liabilities		44,216
Total liabilities	$	115,879
Net assets acquired	$	421,922

As a result of the acquisition, the Company recorded $4,657,000 of goodwill of which the majority will be deductible for tax purposes. The Company also incurred $11,100,000 of intangible liabilities related to unfavorable contracts with a weighted average amortization period of approximately 4.9 years. Acquisition related costs of $3,464,000, consisting primarily of legal, audit and other professional fees plus other expenses, were expensed as incurred to selling, general and administrative expense in 2018.

Revenues

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Revenues [Abstract]

Revenues

(3)

Revenues

The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues by major source (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Marine transportation segment:
Inland transportation	$	1,094,630	$	1,220,878	$	1,119,820
Coastal transportation		309,635		366,204		363,323
	$	1,404,265	$	1,587,082	$	1,483,143

Distribution and services segment:
Oil and gas	$	200,817	$	659,364	$	1,010,410
Commercial and industrial		566,326		591,953		477,144
	$	767,143	$	1,251,317	$	1,487,554

The Company’s revenue is measured based on consideration specified in its contracts with its customers. The Company recognizes revenue as it satisfies performance obligations in its contracts which occur as the Company delivers a service over time to its customers, or at the point in time that it transfers control over a part or product to its customer.

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 during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 that were included in the opening contract liability balances were $38,455,000 and $76,412,000, respectively. The Company has recognized all contract liabilities within the deferred revenues financial statement caption on the balance sheet. The Company did not have any contract assets at December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

Performance Obligations. 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.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of revenue from contract with customer to transfer good or service and to transfer nonfinancial asset. Includes, but is not limited to, disaggregation of revenue, credit loss recognized from contract with customer, judgment and change in judgment related to contract with customer, and asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. Excludes insurance and lease contracts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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+ Details

Segment Data

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Segment Data [Abstract]

Segment Data

(4)	Segment Data

The Company’s operations are aggregated into two reportable business segments as follows:

Marine Transportation — Provides marine transportation by United States flagged vessels principally of liquid cargoes throughout the United States inland waterway system, along all three United States coasts, in Alaska and Hawaii and, to a lesser extent, in United States coastal transportation of dry-bulk cargoes. The principal products transported include petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals.

Distribution and Services — Provides after-market services and parts for engines, transmissions, reduction gears and related equipment used in oilfield service, marine, power generation, on-highway, and other industrial applications. The Company also rents equipment including generators, industrial compressors, railcar movers, and high capacity lift trucks for use in a variety of industrial markets, and manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, for land-based oilfield service customers.

The Company’s two reportable business segments are managed separately based on fundamental differences in their operations. The Company’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 revenues, based on market-based pricing, of the distribution and services segment from the marine transportation segment of $27,782,000, $27,441,000, and $29,363,000 in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, as well as the related intersegment profit of $2,778,000, $2,744,000, and $2,936,000 in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, have been eliminated from the tables below.

The following tables set 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 (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Revenues:
Marine transportation	$	1,404,265		$	1,587,082		$	1,483,143
Distribution and services		767,143			1,251,317			1,487,554
	$	2,171,408		$	2,838,399		$	2,970,697
Segment profit (loss):
Marine transportation	$	163,638		$	215,842		$	147,416
Distribution and services		(12,191	)		67,201			129,305
Other		(612,798	)		(93,223	)		(162,562	)
	$	(461,351	)	$	189,820		$	114,159
Depreciation and amortization:
Marine transportation	$	186,798		$	179,742		$	182,307
Distribution and services		28,255			35,998			39,349
Other		4,868			3,892			3,316
	$	219,921		$	219,632		$	224,972
Capital expenditures:
Marine transportation	$	133,990		$	217,364		$	284,953
Distribution and services		4,854			18,284			10,742
Other		9,341			12,516			6,166
	$	148,185		$	248,164		$	301,861

	December 31,
	2020		2019
Total assets:
Marine transportation	$	4,760,449	$	4,536,368
Distribution and services		805,831		1,422,394
Other		357,894		120,335
	$	5,924,174	$	6,079,097

The following table presents the details of “Other” segment profit (loss) (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
General corporate expenses	$	(11,050	)	$	(13,643	)	$	(35,590	)
Gain on disposition of assets		118			8,152			1,968
Impairments and other charges		(561,274	)		(35,525	)		(85,407	)
Lease cancellation costs		—			—			(2,403	)
Interest expense		(48,739	)		(55,994	)		(46,856	)
Other income		8,147			3,787			5,726
	$	(612,798	)	$	(93,223	)	$	(162,562	)

The following table presents the details of “Other” total assets (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2020		2019
General corporate assets	$	355,205	$	118,310
Investment in affiliates		2,689		2,025
	$	357,894	$	120,335

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

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+ Details

Long-Term Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

(5)	Long-Term Debt

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of debt outstanding (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2020					2019
	Carrying Value			Fair Value		Carrying Value			Fair Value
Revolving Credit Facility (a)	$	250,000		$	250,000	$	—		$	—
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			364,538		350,000			353,216
4.2% senior notes due March 1, 2028		500,000			581,115		500,000			541,546
Credit Line		—			—		—			—
Bank notes payable		40			40		16			16
		1,475,040			1,570,693		1,375,016			1,421,325
Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs (b)		(6,454	)		—		(5,249	)		—
	$	1,468,586		$	1,570,693	$	1,369,767		$	1,421,325

(a)	Variable interest rate of 1.5% and 2.9% at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(b)	Excludes $2,650,000 attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility included in other assets at December 31, 2019.

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 thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Borrowings on bank credit facilities	$	582,277		$	1,351,158		$	2,302,433
Payments on bank credit facilities		(332,253	)		(1,768,534	)		(2,380,888	)
	$	250,024		$	(417,376	)	$	(78,455	)

The aggregate payments due on the long-term debt in each of the next five years were as follows (in thousands):

2021		40
2022		—
2023		381,250
2024		593,750
2025		—
Thereafter		500,000
	$	1,475,040

The Company has an amended and restated credit agreement (“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 revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) and an unsecured term loan (“Term Loan”) with a maturity date of March 27, 2024. The Credit Agreement provides for a variable interest rate based on the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) or a base rate calculated with reference to the agent bank’s prime rate, among other factors (the “Alternate Base Rate”). The interest rate varies with the Company’s credit rating and is currently 112.5 basis points over LIBOR or 12.5 basis points over the Alternate Base Rate. The Term Loan is repayable in quarterly installments currently scheduled to commence September 30, 2023, in increasing percentages of the original principal amount of the loan, with $343,750,000 due on March 27, 2024. The Term Loan is prepayable, in whole or in part, without penalty. During 2019, the Company repaid $125,000,000 under the Term Loan prior to the originally scheduled installments. The Credit Agreement contains certain financial covenants including an interest coverage ratio and a debt-to-capitalization ratio. In addition to financial covenants, the Credit Agreement 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. The Credit Agreement specifies certain events of default, upon the occurrence of which the maturity of the outstanding loans may be accelerated, including the failure to pay principal or interest, violation of covenants and default on other indebtedness, among other events. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be used for general corporate purposes including acquisitions. As of December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all Credit Agreement covenants. 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 $5,063,000 as of December 31, 2020.

On February 27, 2020, upon maturity, the Company repaid in full $150,000,000 of 2.72% unsecured senior notes.

On February 12, 2018, the Company issued $500,000,000 of 4.2% senior unsecured notes due March 1, 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) with U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. Interest payments of $10,500,000 are due semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The Company received cash proceeds of $495,019,000, net of the original issue discount of $705,000 and debt issuance costs of $4,276,000. The 2028 Notes are unsecured and rank equally in right of payment with the Company’s other unsecured senior indebtedness. The 2028 Notes contain certain covenants on the part of the Company, including covenants relating to liens, sale-leasebacks, asset sales and mergers, among others. The 2028 Notes 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. The Company used the proceeds from the issuance of the 2028 Notes to fund the acquisition of Higman. The remaining net proceeds of the sale of the 2028 Notes were used for the repayment of indebtedness under the Company’s bank credit facilities.

The Company has $350,000,000 of 3.29% senior unsecured notes due February 27, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). No principal payments are required until maturity. The 2023 Notes 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 2023 Notes 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.

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 30, 2021. 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, 2020. Outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Line were $1,007,000 as of December 31, 2020.

The Company also had $40,000 and $16,000 of short-term secured loans outstanding, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to its South American operations.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under its debt instruments.

Leases

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

(6)

Leases

The Company currently leases various facilities and equipment under cancelable and noncancelable operating leases. The accounting for the Company’s leases may require judgments, which include determining whether a contract contains a lease, allocating 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 the related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has also elected to combine lease and non-lease components on all classes of leased assets, except for leased towing vessels for which the Company estimates approximately 70% of the costs relate to service costs and other non-lease components. Variable lease costs relate primarily to real estate executory costs (i.e. taxes, insurance and maintenance).

Future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year were as follows (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2020			2019
2021	$	40,224		$	33,374
2022		33,543			25,911
2023		28,012			23,098
2024		23,578			19,162
2025		21,261			15,330
Thereafter		96,491			92,991
Total lease payments		243,109			209,866
Less: imputed interest		(46,863	)		(43,085	)
Operating lease liabilities	$	196,246		$	166,781

The following table summarizes lease costs (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019
Operating lease cost	$	43,810		$	39,064
Variable lease cost		1,550			2,326
Short-term lease cost		25,387			31,340
Sublease income		(1,143	)		(420	)
Total lease cost	$	69,604		$	72,310

The following table summarizes other supplemental information about the Company’s operating leases:

	December 31,
	2020			2019
Weighted average discount rate		4.1	%		4.0	%
Weighted average remaining lease term	10 years			11 years

Impairments and Other Charges

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Impairments and Other Charges [Abstract]

Impairments and Other Charges

(7)	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 $165,304,000 (including $148,909,000 impairment of intangible assets other than goodwill and $16,395,000 impairment of property and equipment) to reduce such long-lived assets to fair value during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Based upon the results of the goodwill impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying value of one reporting unit in the distribution and services segment exceeded its estimated fair value. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the goodwill impairment charge of $387,970,000 was calculated as the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, and after recording impairments of long-lived assets identified above, exceeded its estimated fair value, incorporating all tax impacts caused by the recognition of the impairment loss.

In addition, the Company determined cost exceeded net realizable value for certain oilfield and pressure pumping related inventory, resulting in an $8,000,000 non-cash write-down during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company recorded a $35,525,000 non-cash pre-tax write-down of oilfield and pressure pumping related inventory in the distribution and services segment.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a $82,705,000 non-cash pre-tax impairment charge. The after-tax effect of the charge was $65,337,000 or $1.09 per share. The USCG adopted regulations on ballast water management systems (“BWMS”) establishing a standard for the allowable concentration of living organisms in certain vessel ballast water discharged in waters of the United States under the National Invasive Species Act. The regulations include requirements for the installation of engineering equipment to treat ballast water by establishing an approval process for BWMS. The USCG has approved manufacturers’ systems that met the regulatory discharge standard equivalent to the International Maritime Organization’s D-2 standard. The phase-in schedule for those existing vessels requiring a system to install BWMS equipment is dependent on vessel build date, ballast water capacity, and drydock schedule. Compliance with the ballast water treatment regulations requires the installation of equipment on some of the Company’s vessels to treat ballast water before it is discharged. The installation of BWMS equipment will require significant capital expenditures at the next scheduled drydocking to complete the installation of the approved system on those existing vessels that require a system to comply with the BWMS regulations.

Due to the advanced age of four of the Company’s older articulated tank barge and tugboat units (“ATBs”) and the high cost of installation of BWMS, the Company expects to retire the ATBs at their next scheduled shipyard dates instead of installing the expensive BWMS equipment required to operate the vessels past their next required shipyard dates. A pre-tax impairment charge of $78,835,000 was incurred in the fourth quarter of 2018 to reduce the ATBs to a fair value of $13,247,000 due to reduced estimated cash flows resulting from reduced lives on these four older ATBs. The reduced estimated useful lives are due to the assessment of the impact of the new regulations by USCG that require the installation of BWMS. The fair value of the four ATBs of $13,247,000 is presented in marine transportation equipment at December 31, 2018.

The impairment charge also included a pre-tax charge of $3,870,000 as the Company reduced the carrying value of its improvements in a leased barge to its scrap value of $220,000. As part of a lease termination, the Company agreed to terminate the lease, purchase the barge and then scrap the barge which resulted in the Company committing to put the barge up for sale in December 2018. The barge was scrapped in January 2019. The fair market value of the barge was $220,000 at December 31, 2018, and was presented in prepaid expenses and other current assets. In addition, the Company incurred $2,403,000 in lease cancellation costs in December 2018 related to the leased barge.

During the 2018 fourth quarter, the Company took a $2,702,000 charge for the impairment of the remaining goodwill recorded for Osprey Line, L.L.C., a subsidiary that transports project cargoes and cargo containers by barge on the United States inland waterway system. The impairment reflected the reduced profitability outlook of the container-on-barge operations due to the current economic environment. The fair value was determined using a combination of a discounted cash flow methodology and a market based approach utilizing a net earnings before interest expense, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) multiplier.

Stock Award Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Stock Award Plans [Abstract]

Stock Award Plans

(8)	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 were as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Compensation cost	$	14,722	$	13,612	$	19,104
Income tax benefit	$	4,143	$	3,368	$	5,903

The Company has an employee stock award plan for selected officers and other key employees which provides for the issuance of stock options, restricted stock awards and performance awards. On February 19, 2018, the employee stock award plan was amended to also allow for the granting of RSUs to selected officers and other key employees. Restricted stock and RSUs generally vest ratably over five years, however, the amendment included a provision for the continued vesting of unvested stock options and RSUs for employees who meet certain years of service and age requirements at the time of their retirement. The vesting change resulted in shorter expense accrual periods on stock options and RSUs granted after February 19, 2018 to employees who are nearing retirement and meet the service and age requirements.

The exercise price for each option equals the fair market value per share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Substantially all stock options outstanding under the plan 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, 2020, 1,100,687 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:

	Outstanding Non- Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2019		486,059		$	71.65
Granted		114,600		$	73.29
Exercised		(19,851	)	$	64.42
Canceled or expired		(3,291	)	$	95.18
Outstanding at December 31, 2020		577,517		$	72.09

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options under the employee plan at December 31, 2020:

		Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices		Number Outstanding		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregated Intrinsic Value		Number Exercisable		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregated Intrinsic Value
$	51.23		62,315		2.1	$	51.23		-		62,315	$	51.23		-
$	64.65 – $68.50		94,218		3.5	$	67.26				63,218	$	68.43
$	73.29 – $75.50		380,289		4.6	$	74.32				157,176	$	74.98
$	84.90 – $101.46		40,695		1.0	$	94.31				36,225	$	95.47
$	51.23 – $101.46		577,517		3.9	$	72.09	$	37,000		318,934	$	71.37	$	37,000

The following is a summary of the restricted stock award activity under the employee plan described above:

	Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2019		134,669		$	63.28
Vested		(48,450	)	$	63.24
Forfeited		(2,317	)	$	62.46
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2020		83,902		$	63.33

No restricted stock awards were granted under the employee plan during 2020, 2019, or 2018.

The following is a summary of RSU activity under the employee plan described above:

	Unvested RSUs			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Unit
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2019		255,167		$	74.96
Granted		153,460		$	73.04
Vested		(64,039	)	$	75.08
Forfeited		(6,170	)	$	73.91
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2020		338,418		$	74.09

The weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs granted for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $73.04, $74.46, and $75.59, respectively.

During January 2021, the Company granted 309,506 RSUs to selected officers and other key employees under its employee stock award plan, the majority of which vest ratably over five years.

The Company has a 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 automatic grants of restricted stock to nonemployee directors 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 restricted stock issued after each annual meeting of stockholders vests 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, 2020, 421,220 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:

	Outstanding Non- Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2019		115,756		$	73.68
Exercised		(12,000	)	$	41.24
Outstanding at December 31, 2020		103,756		$	77.44

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options under the director plan at December 31, 2020:

		Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices		Number Outstanding		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Number Exercisable		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
$	56.45		13,276		0.3	$	56.45		-		13,276	$	56.45		-
$	61.89 – $62.48		22,000		1.6	$	62.21				22,000	$	62.21
$	70.65 – $99.52		68,480		3.4	$	86.39				68,480	$	86.39
$	56.45 – $99.52		103,756		2.6	$	77.44	$	—		103,756	$	77.44	$	—

The following is a summary of the restricted stock award activity under the director plan described above:

	Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2019		1,739		$	83.68
Granted		39,913		$	49.84
Vested		(40,748	)	$	51.28
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2020		904		$	49.84

The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted under the director plan for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were $49.84, $84.81, and $85.70, respectively.

The total intrinsic value of all stock options exercised under all of the Company’s plans was $745,000, $1,655,000 and $6,709,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for tax deductions from stock option exercises was $210,000, $410,000, and $2,073,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

The total fair value of all the restricted stock vestings under all of the Company’s plans was $5,649,000, $5,917,000, and $12,936,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for tax deductions from restricted stock vestings was $1,590,000, $1,464,000, and $3,997,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

The total fair value of all the RSU vestings under the Company’s employee plan was $5,172,000 and $1,727,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for tax deductions from RSU vestings was $1,455,000 and $427,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There were no RSU vestings for the year ended December 31, 2018.

As of December 31, 2020, there was $2,136,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options, $1,468,000 related to restricted stock and $13,298,000 related to nonvested RSUs. The stock options are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.7 years, restricted stock over approximately 0.6 years and RSUs over approximately 3.3 years.

The weighted average per share fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $20.19, $22.77, and $23.53, respectively. The fair value of the stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $2,314,000, $2,666,000, and $2,787,000, respectively. The Company currently uses treasury stock shares for restricted stock grants, RSU vestings 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 granted were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Dividend yield	None			None			None
Average risk-free interest rate		1.3	%		2.5	%		2.7	%
Stock price volatility		28	%		28	%		27	%
Estimated option term	5.3 years			5.3 years			5.5 years

Taxes on Income

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Taxes on Income [Abstract]

Taxes on Income

(9)	Taxes on Income

Earnings (loss) before taxes on income and details of the provision (benefit) for taxes on income were as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income:
United States	$	(461,569	)	$	190,839		$	117,800
Foreign		218			(1,019	)		(3,641	)
	$	(461,351	)	$	189,820		$	114,159

Provision (benefit) for taxes on income:
U.S. Federal:
Current	$	(218,613	)	$	(312	)	$	—
Deferred		37,436			45,133			27,102
	$	(181,177	)	$	44,821		$	27,102
U.S. State:
Current	$	3,421		$	76		$	(243	)
Deferred		(12,273	)		1,706			7,619
	$	(8,852	)	$	1,782		$	7,376
Foreign:
Current	$	270		$	198		$	443
Deferred		—			—			160
	$	270		$	198		$	603
Consolidated:
Current	$	(214,922	)	$	(38	)	$	200
Deferred		25,163			46,839			34,881
	$	(189,759	)	$	46,801		$	35,081

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 net federal current benefit for taxes on income for the year ended December 31, 2020 due to carrying back net operating losses generated between 2018 and 2020 used to offset taxable income generated between 2013 and 2017. Net operating losses carried back to tax years 2013 through 2017 are applied at a federal tax rate of 35% applicable to those tax years, compared to a 21% tax rate effective at December 31, 2020. Net operating losses generated in 2018 and 2019 were used to offset taxable income generated between 2013 and 2017 taxed at 35% resulting in a tax benefit of $59,659,000 and a decrease in the company’s deferred tax asset related to federal net operating losses of $88,292,000. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company received a tax refund of $30,606,000 for its 2018 tax return related to net operating losses being carried back to offset taxable income generated during 2013. At December 31, 2020, the Company had a federal income tax receivable of $188,177,000 included in Accounts Receivable – Other on the balance sheet. During February 2021, the Company received a tax refund of $119,493,000, including accrued interest, for its 2019 tax return.

The Company’s provision for taxes on income varied from the statutory federal income tax rate due to the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
United States income tax statutory rate		21.0	%		21.0	%		21.0	%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit		1.2			0.7			6.5
CARES Act – net operating loss carryback		21.3			—			—
Other – net		(2.4	)		3.0			3.2
		41.1	%		24.7	%		30.7	%

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2020			2019
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	1,793		$	1,758
Inventory		13,496			13,401
Insurance accruals		4,864			4,397
Deferred compensation		6,040			1,109
Unrealized loss on defined benefit plans		15,929			10,253
Goodwill and other intangibles		44,487			—
Operating loss carryforwards		82,186			143,181
Pension benefits		7,444			6,825
Other		5,480			7,392
		181,719			188,316
Valuation allowances		(18,025	)		(20,525	)
		163,694			167,791
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property		(678,916	)		(620,891	)
Deferred state taxes		(74,468	)		(63,640	)
Goodwill and other intangibles		—			(54,844	)
Other		(17,154	)		(16,620	)
		(770,538	)		(755,995	)
	$	(606,844	)	$	(588,204	)

During 2020, the Company generated a federal tax net operating loss mainly caused by taking the full cost deduction of purchased fixed assets. The deferred tax assets of $53,498,000 has been recorded at December 31, 2020.

The Company had state operating loss deferred tax assets of $23,482,000 in 2020 and $17,282,000 in 2019. The valuation allowance for state deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $12,819,000 and $11,760,000, respectively, related to the Company’s state net operating loss carryforwards based on the Company’s determination that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Expiration of these state net operating loss carryforwards vary by state through 2040 and none will expire in fiscal 2021.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a Canadian net operating loss carryforward of $5,206,000 which expires between 2037 and 2040. A full valuation allowance has been provided for this asset.

The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company’s federal income tax returns for the 2017 through 2019 tax years are currently under examination. With few exceptions, the Company and its subsidiaries’ state income tax returns are open to audit under the statute of limitations for the 2014 through 2019 tax years.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company has provided a liability of $971,000 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 $790,000, 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, 2021 due to the uncertainty of possible examination results. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Balance at beginning of year	$	883		$	1,443		$	1,787
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		262			51			254
Additions for tax positions of prior years		114			58			70
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(266	)		(669	)		(668	)
Settlements		(210	)		—			—
Balance at end of year	$	783		$	883		$	1,443

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 benefit of $90,000, $71,000, and $209,000 in interest and penalties for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The Company had $172,000 and $289,000 of accrued liabilities for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References + Details

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

(10)	Earnings Per Share

The following table presents the components of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$	(272,546	)	$	142,347		$	78,452
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares		—			(369	)		(324	)
Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders — basic		(272,546	)		141,978			78,128
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares		—			369			324
Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares		—			(369	)		(323	)
Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders — diluted	$	(272,546	)	$	141,978		$	78,129

Shares outstanding:
Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding		60,021			59,905			59,804
Weighted average unvested restricted stock		(109	)		(155	)		(247	)
Weighted average common stock outstanding — basic		59,912			59,750			59,557
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—			159			132
Weighted average common stock outstanding — diluted		59,912			59,909			59,689

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic	$	(4.55	)	$	2.38		$	1.31
Diluted	$	(4.55	)	$	2.37		$	1.31

Certain outstanding options to purchase approximately 681,000, 187,000, and 384,000 shares of common stock were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, as such stock options would have been antidilutive. Certain outstanding RSUs to convert to 11,000 shares of common stock were also excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of December 31, 2020, as such RSUs would have been antidilutive. No RSUs were antidilutive at December 31, 2019.

Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Inventories [Abstract]

Inventories

(11)	Inventories

The following table presents the details of inventories (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2020		2019
Finished goods	$	255,491	$	291,214
Work in process		54,184		60,187
	$	309,675	$	351,401

Retirement Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Retirement Plans [Abstract]

Retirement Plans

(12)	Retirement Plans

The Company sponsors a defined benefit plan (the “Kirby Pension 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.

On April 12, 2017, the Company amended the Kirby 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.

On February 14, 2018, with the acquisition of Higman, the Company assumed Higman’s pension plan (the “Higman 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 did not incur any one-time charges related to this amendment but the Higman pension plan’s projected benefit obligation decreased by $3,081,000. The Company made contributions to the Higman pension plan of $797,000 in 2020 for the 2019 plan year, $1,438,000 in 2020 for the 2020 plan year, $1,615,000 in 2019 for the 2018 plan year, $1,449,000 in 2019 for the 2019 plan year, $6,717,000 in 2018 for the 2016 and 2017 plan years, and $1,385,000 in 2018 for the 2018 year.

The aggregate fair value of plan assets of the Company’s pension plans was $395,137,000 and $358,197,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively. Pension assets were allocated among asset categories as follows:

	December 31,						Current Minimum, Target and Maximum
Asset Category	2020			2019			Allocation Policy
U.S. equity securities		53	%		53	%		30% — 50%— 70	%
International equity securities		20			19			0% — 20%— 30	%
Debt securities		25			26			15% — 30%— 55	%
Cash and cash equivalents		2			2			0% — 0%— 5	%
		100	%		100	%

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, $25,032,000 and $25,871,000 respectively, was held in cash as well as debt and equity securities classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy and $138,000 and $125,000, respectively, was held in real estate investments classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. All other plan assets are invested in common collective trusts and valued using the net asset value per share practical expedient and therefore not valued within the valuation hierarchy.

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 6.75% in 2020 and 7.0% in 2019. 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 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. The Company’s pension plan funding was 82% of the pension plans’ accumulated benefit obligation at December 31, 2020, including both the Kirby Pension Plan and the Higman Pension Plan.

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 Welfare Plan
	Pension Plans						SERP						Postretirement Welfare Plan
	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	442,861		$	381,483		$	1,225		$	1,246		$	662		$	743
Service cost		7,671			7,364			—			—			—			—
Interest cost		15,630			16,493			40			52			22			31
Actuarial loss (gain)		58,851			49,478			55			72			84			(22	)
Gross benefits paid		(11,029	)		(11,957	)		(146	)		(145	)		(139	)		(90	)
Settlements		(5,290	)		—			—			—			—			—
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	508,694		$	442,861		$	1,174		$	1,225		$	629		$	662

Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$	479,999		$	417,981		$	1,174		$	1,225		$	629		$	662

Weighted-average assumption used to determine benefit obligation at end of year
Discount rate (a)		2.8% / 2.9	%		3.5	%	2.8	%	3.5	%	2.8	%	3.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	Service-based table			Service-based table			—		—		—		—
Health care cost trend rate
Initial rate		—			—		—		—		6.5	%	6.75	%
Ultimate rate		—			—		—		—		5.0	%	5.0	%
Years to ultimate		—			—		—		—		2025		2025

Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	358,197		$	303,151		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Actual return on plan assets		51,024			63,939			—			—			—			—
Employer contribution		2,235			3,064			146			145			139			90
Gross benefits paid		(11,029	)		(11,957	)		(146	)		(145	)		(139	)		(90	)
Settlements		(5,290	)		—			—			—			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	395,137		$	358,197		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

(a)	The 2020 discount rate was 2.8% for the Kirby pension plan and 2.9% for the Higman pension plan.

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the increases in the benefit obligation were primarily due to the decreases in the discount rates each year, partially offset by actual returns on plan assets performing better than expected and an update of the actuarial tables.

At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, both the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligations of each of the Company’s pension plans exceeded the fair value of plan assets.

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 (in thousands):

													Other Postretirement Benefits
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Welfare Plan
	Pension Plans						SERP						Postretirement Welfare Plan
	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Funded status at end of year
Fair value of plan assets	$	395,137		$	358,197		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Benefit obligations		(508,694	)		(442,861	)		(1,174	)		(1,225	)		(629	)		(662	)
Funded status and amount recognized at end of year	$	(113,557	)	$	(84,664	)	$	(1,174	)	$	(1,225	)	$	(629	)	$	(662	)

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
Current liability	—		—		(159	)	(159	)	(58	)	(60	)
Long-term liability	(113,557	)	(84,664	)	(1,015	)	(1,066	)	(571	)	(602	)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	81,376	$	52,160	$	480	$	460	$	(3,189	)	$	(3,795	)
Prior service cost (credit)		—		—		—		—		—			—
Accumulated other compensation income	$	81,376	$	52,160	$	480	$	460	$	(3,189	)	$	(3,795	)

The following table presents the expected cash flows for the Company’s defined benefit plans and postretirement benefit plan (in thousands):

									Other Postretirement Benefits
	Pension Benefits								Postretirement Welfare Plan
	Pension Plans				SERP				Postretirement Welfare Plan
	2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019
Expected employer contributions
First year	$	2,385	$	2,407	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Expected benefit payments (gross)
Year one	$	13,902	$	12,063	$	162	$	162	$	59	$	61
Year two		14,902		13,123		136		158		49		62
Year three		16,123		14,300		110		133		48		51
Year four		17,284		15,572		106		107		47		51
Year five		18,315		16,857		101		103		46		49
Next five years		106,400		100,587		406		426		202		220

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 were as follows (in thousands):


	Pension Benefits
	Pension Plans									SERP
	2020			2019			2018			2020			2019			2018
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	7,671		$	7,364		$	7,622		$	—		$	—		$	—
Interest cost		15,630			16,493			15,499			40			52			49
Expected return on plan assets		(23,790	)		(20,956	)		(22,406	)		—			—			—
Amortization of actuarial loss		2,399			1,438			2,890			35			28			23
Net periodic benefit cost		1,910			4,339			3,605			75			80			72

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
Current year actuarial loss (gain)		31,616			6,497			(7,396	)		55			73			(70	)
Recognition of actuarial loss		(2,399	)		(1,438	)		(2,890	)		(35	)		(28	)		(23	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income		29,217			5,059			(10,286	)		20			45			(93	)

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$	31,127		$	9,398		$	(6,681	)	$	95		$	125		$	(21	)
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
Discount rate (a)		3.5% / 3.10	%		4.4	%		3.7	%		3.5	%		4.4	%		3.7	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		6.75	%		7.0	%		7.0	%		—			—			—
Rate of compensation increase	Service- based table			Service- based table			Service- based table				—			—			—

(a)	The 2020 discount rate for benefit cost is 3.5% for the Kirby pension plan and 3.1% for the Higman pension plan. The 2018 discount rate for benefit cost for the Higman pension plan was changed from 4.13% as of February 14, 2018 and 4.02% as of March 31, 2018 to 4.40% as of December 31, 2018.

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 were as follows (in thousands):

	Other Postretirement Benefits
	Postretirement Welfare Plan
	2020			2019			2018
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Interest cost	$	22		$	31		$	24
Amortization of actuarial gain		(522	)		(540	)		(596	)
Net periodic benefit cost		(500	)		(509	)		(572	)

Other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
Current year actuarial loss (gain)		84			(22	)		144
Recognition of actuarial gain		522			540			596
Total recognized in other comprehensive income		606			518			740

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$	106		$	9		$	168

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
Discount rate		3.5	%		4.4	%		3.7	%
Health care cost trend rate:
Initial rate		6.75	%		7.0	%		7.0	%
Ultimate rate		5.0	%		5.0	%		5.0	%
Years to ultimate		2025			2025			2022

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, 2022. The Company began participation in the Seafarers Pension Trust (“SPT”) with the Penn Maritime, Inc. 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 2020 and 2019, the Company made contributions of $617,000 and $665,000, respectively, to the SPT. The Company’s contributions to the SPT exceeded 5% of total contributions to the SPT in 2019. Total contributions for 2020 are not yet available. The Company did not pay any material surcharges in 2020 or 2019.

The federal identification number of the SPT is 13-6100329 and the Certified Zone Status is Green at December 31, 2019. The Company’s future minimum contribution requirements under the SPT are unavailable because actuarial reports for the 2020 plan year are not yet complete and such contributions are subject to negotiations between the employers and the unions. The SPT was not in endangered or critical status for the 2019 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, 2019, 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.

The Company also contributes to a multiemployer pension plan pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement which covers certain employees of its distribution and services segment in New Jersey and expires on October 8, 2023. The Company began participation in the Central Pension Fund of the International Union of Operating Engineers and Participating Employers (“CPF”) with the Stewart & Stevenson LLC (“S&S”) acquisition on September 13, 2017.

Contributions to the CPF are made currently based on a fixed hourly rate for each hour worked or paid basis (in some cases contributions are made as a percentage of gross pay) and charged to expense as incurred and included in costs of sales and operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings. During 2020 and 2019, the Company made contributions of $691,000 and $693,000, respectively, to the CPF. Total contributions for the 2020 plan year are not yet available. The Company did not pay any material surcharges in 2020 or 2019.

The federal identification number of the CPF is 36-6052390 and the Certified Zone Status is Green at January 31, 2020. The Company’s future minimum contribution requirements under the CPF are unavailable because actuarial reports for the 2020 plan year, which ended January 31, 2021, are not yet complete and such contributions are subject to negotiations between the employers and the unions. The CPF was not in endangered or critical status for the 2019 plan year, ending January 31, 2020, the latest period for which a report is available, as the funded status was 98%. There would be no withdrawal liability if the Company chose to withdraw from the CPF although the Company currently has no intention of terminating its participation in the CPF.

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 $25,514,000, $25,409,000, and $22,392,000 in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for retirement benefits.

+ References

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+ Details

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(13)	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company’s changes in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31
	2020									2019									2018
	Gross Amount			Income Tax (Provision) Benefit			Net Amount			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	$	1,912		$	(483	)	$	1,429		$	926		$	(236	)	$	690		$	2,317		$	(585	)	$	1,732
Actuarial gains (losses)		(31,755	)		7,006			(24,749	)		(6,548	)		1,655			(4,893	)		7,322			(1,416	)		5,906
Adoption of ASU 2018-02 – reclassification to retained earnings		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			(7,925	)		(7,925	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(333	)		—			(333	)		(85	)		—			(85	)		(819	)		—			(819	)
Total	$	(30,176	)	$	6,523		$	(23,653	)	$	(5,707	)	$	1,419		$	(4,288	)	$	8,820		$	(9,926	)	$	(1,106	)

(a)	Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into other income (expense). (See Note 12 – Retirement Plans)

Contingencies and Commitments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Contingencies and Commitments [Abstract]

Contingencies and Commitments

(14)	Contingencies and Commitments

In 2009, the Company was named by the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) as a Potentially Responsible Party (“PRP”) in addition to a group of approximately 250 named PRPs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1981 (“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.

On February 20, 2015, the Company was served as a defendant in a Complaint originally filed on August 14, 2014, in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas - Houston Division, USOR Site PRP Group vs. A&M Contractors, USES, Inc. et al. This is a civil action pursuant to the provisions of CERCLA and the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act for recovery of past and future response costs incurred and to be incurred by the USOR Site PRP Group for response activities at the U.S. Oil Recovery Superfund Site. The property was a former sewage treatment plant owned by defendant City of Pasadena, Texas from approximately 1945 until it was acquired by U.S. Oil Recovery in January 2009. Throughout its operating life, the U.S. Oil Recovery facility portion of the USOR Site received and performed wastewater pretreatment of municipal and Industrial Class I and Class II wastewater, characteristically hazardous waste, used oil and oily sludges, and municipal solid waste. Associated operations were conducted at the MCC Recycling facility portion of the USOR Site after it was acquired by U.S. Oil Recovery from the City of Pasadena in January 2009. The EPA and the PRP Group entered into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order for Remedial Investigation Study (“Study”) in May 2015. The Study has not been completed by EPA to date. The Company joined as a member of the PRP Group companies at its pro-rata allocated share.

On October 13, 2016, the Company, as a successor to Hollywood Marine, Inc. (“Hollywood Marine”), was issued a General Notice under CERCLA by the EPA in which it was named as a PRP for liabilities associated with the SBA Shipyard Site located near Jennings, Louisiana (the “Site”). The Site was added to the EPA’s National Priorities List of sites under CERCLA in September 2016. SBA used the facility for construction, repair, retrofitting, sandblasting, and cleaning and painting of barges beginning in 1965. Three barge slips and a dry dock are located off the Mermentau River. The slips were used to dock barges during cleaning or repair. In 2001, a group of PRPs that had been former customers of the SBA Shipyard facility formed an organization called the SSIC Remediation, LLC (hereinafter, “the PRP Group Companies”) to address removal actions at the Site. In 2002, EPA approved an Interim Measures/Removal Action of Hazardous/Principal Threat Wastes at SBA Shipyards, Inc. (pursuant to RCRA Section 3008(h)) that was proposed by SBA Shipyard and the PRP Group Companies. Interim removal activities were conducted from March 2001 through January 2005 under an EPA 2002 Order and Agreement. In September 2012, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality requested EPA address the Site under CERCLA authority. The Company, as a successor to Hollywood Marine, joined the PRP Group Companies. The PRP Group Companies have submitted a draft Study work plan to EPA for their review and comment. Higman was named as a PRP in connection with its activities at the Site. Higman is not a participant in the PRP Group Companies.

With respect to the above sites, the Company has accrued a liability, 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 PRPs and the extent to which such costs are recoverable from third parties.

On May 10, 2019, two tank barges and a towboat, the M/V Voyager, owned and operated by Kirby Inland Marine, LP, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, were struck by the LPG tanker, the Genesis River, in the Houston Ship Channel. The bow of the Genesis River penetrated the Kirby 30015T and capsized the MMI 3014. The collision penetrated the hull of the Kirby 30015T causing its cargo, reformate, to be discharged into the water. The 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 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. On July 16, 2019, the Company and the Canadian government settled the charges against the subsidiary of the Company. The subsidiary of the Company agreed to pay the Canadian government a fine of approximately $2,900,000 Canadian dollars ($2,200,000 U.S. dollars) for violations of the Canadian Fisheries Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Pilotage Act and the Shipping Act of 2001. The Company has various insurance policies covering liabilities including pollution, property, marine and general liability and believes that it has satisfactory insurance coverage for the cost of cleanup and salvage operations as well as other potential liabilities arising from the incident. The Company believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate for the incident and does not expect the incident to have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition.

On March 22, 2014, two tank barges and a towboat, the M/V Miss Susan, owned by Kirby Inland Marine, were involved in a collision with the M/S Summer Wind on the Houston Ship Channel near Texas City, Texas. The lead tank barge was damaged in the collision resulting in a discharge of intermediate fuel oil from one of its cargo tanks. While all legal action to date involving the Company has been resolved, 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.

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 major industrial petrochemical and chemical manufacturers, refining companies and agricultural chemical manufacturers operating in the United States. During 2020, approximately 65% of marine transportation’s inland revenues were from movements of such products under term contracts, typically ranging from one year to three years, some with renewal options. During 2020, approximately 85% 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 10% or more of the Company’s revenues in 2020, 2019 or 2018.

Major customers of the distribution and services segment include oilfield service companies, oil and gas operators and producers, inland and offshore barge operators, offshore fishing companies, on-highway transportation companies, construction companies, the United States government, and power generation, nuclear and industrial companies.

The results of the distribution and 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 distribution and services segment accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenues in 2020, 2019, or 2018.

United Holdings LLC (“United”) has maintained continuous exclusive distribution rights for MTU and Allison Transmission products 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. United is also the distributor for parts service and warranty on Daimler Truck North America (“DTNA”) engines and related equipment in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. United, through certain of its subsidiaries, is also a dealer of Thermo King refrigeration systems for trucks, railroad cars, and other land transportation markets in Texas and Colorado.

S&S is also one of MTU’s top five distributors for off-highway engines with exclusive distribution rights in multiple states. S&S also has authorized exclusive distribution rights for Allison Transmission, Detroit Diesel, Deutz, DTNA, EMD, Rolls Royce Power and Volvo Penta diesel engines in multiple key growth states, primarily through the Central, South and Eastern parts of the United States and strategically located near major oil and gas fields, marine waterways and on-highway transportation routes. In addition, S&S has long-term relationships with numerous smaller suppliers including Donaldson, Freightliner, Generac and John Deere.

Kirby Engine Systems LLC, through Marine Systems, Inc. and Engine Systems, Inc. (“Engine Systems”), operates as an authorized EMD distributor throughout the United States. Engine Systems is also the authorized EMD distributor for nuclear power applications worldwide. The relationship with EMD has been maintained for over 50 years. The segment also operates factory-authorized full service marine distributorship/dealerships for Cummins, Detroit Diesel and John Deere high-speed diesel engines and Falk, Lufkin and Twin Disc marine gears, as well as an authorized marine dealer for Caterpillar diesel engine in multiple states.

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, owned and operated by United States citizens. The Jones Act cabotage provisions occasionally come under attack by interests seeking to facilitate foreign flagged 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. However, the Company believes that it is unlikely that the current cabotage provisions of the Jones Act would be eliminated or significantly modified in a way that has a material adverse impact on the Company in the foreseeable future.

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 $23,180,000 at December 31, 2020, including $13,586,000 in letters of credit and $9,594,000 in performance bonds. All of these instruments have an expiration date within three 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.

Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Related Party Transactions

(15)	Related Party Transactions

David W. Grzebinski, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is a member of the board of directors for ABS, a not-for-profit that provides global classification services to the marine, offshore and gas industries. The Company paid ABS $2,377,000 in 2020, $1,774,000 in 2019, and $1,162,000 in 2018 to perform audits and surveys of the Company’s vessels in the ordinary course of business.

In November 2020, Mr. Grzebinski became a member of the board of directors of UK Protection & Indemnity Association, a mutual marine protection and indemnity organization that provides protection and indemnity insurance for third party liabilities and expenses arising from vessel operations. The Company’s marine fleet is insured on a prorate share basis through UK P&I and Standard Mutual. During 2020, the Company paid $3,000,000 in premiums for coverage in the 2020-2021 policy period in the ordinary course of business.

In January 2019, Amy D. Husted, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, became a member of the board of directors of Signal Mutual Indemnity Association Ltd (“Signal”), a group self-insurance not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor as a longshore worker’s compensation insurance provider. The Company has been a member of Signal since it was established in 1986. The Company paid Signal $667,000 in 2020 and $1,391,000 in 2019 in the ordinary course of business.

The husband of Ms. Husted is a partner in the law firm of Clark Hill PLC. The Company paid the law firm $1,598,000 in 2020, $1,278,000 in 2019, and $2,019,000 in 2018 for legal services in connection with matters in the ordinary course of business.

Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Quarterly Results (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

(16)	Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

The unaudited quarterly results were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2020			June 30, 2020			September 30, 2020			December 31, 2020
Revenues	$	643,926		$	541,159		$	496,567		$	489,756
Costs and expenses		1,154,114			506,718			466,340			465,113
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets		492			(189	)		(316	)		131
Operating income (loss)		(509,696	)		34,252			29,911			24,774
Other income		2,723			2,290			1,172			1,962
Interest expense		(12,799	)		(12,708	)		(11,809	)		(11,423	)
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income		(519,772	)		23,834			19,274			15,313
Benefit for taxes on income		172,809			1,429			8,419			7,102
Net earnings (loss)		(346,963	)		25,263			27,693			22,415
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		(278	)		(261	)		(204	)		(211	)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$	(347,241	)	$	25,002		$	27,489		$	22,204

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic	$	(5.80	)	$	0.42		$	0.46		$	0.37
Diluted	$	(5.80	)	$	0.42		$	0.46		$	0.37

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2019			June 30, 2019			September 30, 2019			December 31, 2019
Revenues	$	744,621		$	771,042		$	666,809		$	655,927
Costs and expenses		674,672			698,317			588,534			643,001
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets		2,157			3,118			(374	)		3,251
Operating income		72,106			75,843			77,901			16,177
Other income (expense)		(568	)		2,381			864			1,110
Interest expense		(13,201	)		(15,515	)		(14,310	)		(12,968	)
Earnings before taxes on income		58,337			62,709			64,455			4,319
Provision for taxes on income		(13,880	)		(15,269	)		(16,305	)		(1,347	)
Net earnings		44,457			47,440			48,150			2,972
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		(161	)		(153	)		(163	)		(195	)
Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$	44,296		$	47,287		$	47,987		$	2,777

Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.74		$	0.79		$	0.80		$	0.05
Diluted	$	0.74		$	0.79		$	0.80		$	0.05

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.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

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

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Property, Maintenance and Repairs

Drydocking on Ocean-Going Vessels

Environmental Liabilities

Environmental Liabilities. The Company expenses costs related to environmental events as they are incurred or when a loss is considered probable and reasonably estimable.

Goodwill

	Marine Transportation			Distribution and Services			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017 (gross)	$	403,376		$	549,226		$	952,602
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(15,872	)		(1,595	)		(17,467	)
Balance at December 31, 2017		387,504			547,631			935,135
Impairment		(2,702	)		—			(2,702	)
Higman acquisition		4,657			—			4,657
Targa acquisition		16,116			—			16,116
Other		—			620			620
Balance at December 31, 2018 (gross)		424,149			549,846			973,995
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(18,574	)		(1,595	)		(20,169	)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	405,575		$	548,251		$	953,826

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 December 31, 2020 (gross)		505,784			560,155			1,065,939
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(18,574	)		(389,565	)		(408,139	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	487,210		$	170,590		$	657,800

Other Intangibles

	December 31,
	2020			2019
Other intangible assets – gross	$	203,217		$	332,656
Accumulated amortization		(134,238	)		(121,974	)
Other intangible assets – net	$	68,979		$	210,682

Other intangible liabilities – gross	$	13,860		$	13,860
Accumulated amortization		(10,960	)		(7,956	)
Other intangible liabilities – net	$	2,900		$	5,904

Revenue Recognition

Stock-Based Compensation

Taxes on Income

Accrued Insurance

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

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting Standards Adoptions

Accounting Standards

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Changes in Goodwill

	Marine Transportation			Distribution and Services			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017 (gross)	$	403,376		$	549,226		$	952,602
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(15,872	)		(1,595	)		(17,467	)
Balance at December 31, 2017		387,504			547,631			935,135
Impairment		(2,702	)		—			(2,702	)
Higman acquisition		4,657			—			4,657
Targa acquisition		16,116			—			16,116
Other		—			620			620
Balance at December 31, 2018 (gross)		424,149			549,846			973,995
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(18,574	)		(1,595	)		(20,169	)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	405,575		$	548,251		$	953,826

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 December 31, 2020 (gross)		505,784			560,155			1,065,939
Accumulated impairment and amortization		(18,574	)		(389,565	)		(408,139	)
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	487,210		$	170,590		$	657,800

Other Intangible Assets and Other Intangible Liabilities

	December 31,
	2020			2019
Other intangible assets – gross	$	203,217		$	332,656
Accumulated amortization		(134,238	)		(121,974	)
Other intangible assets – net	$	68,979		$	210,682

Other intangible liabilities – gross	$	13,860		$	13,860
Accumulated amortization		(10,960	)		(7,956	)
Other intangible liabilities – net	$	2,900		$	5,904

Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Savage Inland Marine, LLC and Convoy [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

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
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

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

Cenac Marine Services, LLC [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the Cenac acquisition and recorded at the acquisition date were as follows (in thousands):

Prepaid expenses	$	1,138
Property and equipment		247,122
Other intangibles		340
Total assets	$	248,600

Other long-term liabilities	$	4,100
Net assets acquired	$	244,500

Higman [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the Higman acquisition and recorded at the acquisition date were as follows (in thousands):

Cash	$	2,313
Accounts receivable		27,527
Prepaid expenses		5,323
Property and equipment		497,951
Goodwill		4,657
Other assets		30
Total assets	$	537,801

Accounts payable	$	17,012
Accrued liabilities		14,127
Deferred income taxes		40,524
Other long-term liabilities		44,216
Total liabilities	$	115,879
Net assets acquired	$	421,922

Revenues (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Revenues [Abstract]

Revenues by Major Source

The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues by major source (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Marine transportation segment:
Inland transportation	$	1,094,630	$	1,220,878	$	1,119,820
Coastal transportation		309,635		366,204		363,323
	$	1,404,265	$	1,587,082	$	1,483,143

Distribution and services segment:
Oil and gas	$	200,817	$	659,364	$	1,010,410
Commercial and industrial		566,326		591,953		477,144
	$	767,143	$	1,251,317	$	1,487,554

Segment Data (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Segment Data [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Revenues:
Marine transportation	$	1,404,265		$	1,587,082		$	1,483,143
Distribution and services		767,143			1,251,317			1,487,554
	$	2,171,408		$	2,838,399		$	2,970,697
Segment profit (loss):
Marine transportation	$	163,638		$	215,842		$	147,416
Distribution and services		(12,191	)		67,201			129,305
Other		(612,798	)		(93,223	)		(162,562	)
	$	(461,351	)	$	189,820		$	114,159
Depreciation and amortization:
Marine transportation	$	186,798		$	179,742		$	182,307
Distribution and services		28,255			35,998			39,349
Other		4,868			3,892			3,316
	$	219,921		$	219,632		$	224,972
Capital expenditures:
Marine transportation	$	133,990		$	217,364		$	284,953
Distribution and services		4,854			18,284			10,742
Other		9,341			12,516			6,166
	$	148,185		$	248,164		$	301,861

	December 31,
	2020		2019
Total assets:
Marine transportation	$	4,760,449	$	4,536,368
Distribution and services		805,831		1,422,394
Other		357,894		120,335
	$	5,924,174	$	6,079,097

Other Segment Reporting Information

The following table presents the details of “Other” segment profit (loss) (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
General corporate expenses	$	(11,050	)	$	(13,643	)	$	(35,590	)
Gain on disposition of assets		118			8,152			1,968
Impairments and other charges		(561,274	)		(35,525	)		(85,407	)
Lease cancellation costs		—			—			(2,403	)
Interest expense		(48,739	)		(55,994	)		(46,856	)
Other income		8,147			3,787			5,726
	$	(612,798	)	$	(93,223	)	$	(162,562	)

The following table presents the details of “Other” total assets (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2020		2019
General corporate assets	$	355,205	$	118,310
Investment in affiliates		2,689		2,025
	$	357,894	$	120,335

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 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):

	December 31,
	2020					2019
	Carrying Value			Fair Value		Carrying Value			Fair Value
Revolving Credit Facility (a)	$	250,000		$	250,000	$	—		$	—
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			364,538		350,000			353,216
4.2% senior notes due March 1, 2028		500,000			581,115		500,000			541,546
Credit Line		—			—		—			—
Bank notes payable		40			40		16			16
		1,475,040			1,570,693		1,375,016			1,421,325
Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs (b)		(6,454	)		—		(5,249	)		—
	$	1,468,586		$	1,570,693	$	1,369,767		$	1,421,325

(a)	Variable interest rate of 1.5% and 2.9% at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(b)	Excludes $2,650,000 attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility included in other assets at December 31, 2019.

Borrowings and Payments Under the Bank Credit Facilities

The following table presents borrowings and payments under the bank credit facilities (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Borrowings on bank credit facilities	$	582,277		$	1,351,158		$	2,302,433
Payments on bank credit facilities		(332,253	)		(1,768,534	)		(2,380,888	)
	$	250,024		$	(417,376	)	$	(78,455	)

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):

2021		40
2022		—
2023		381,250
2024		593,750
2025		—
Thereafter		500,000
	$	1,475,040

Leases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 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):

	December 31,
	2020			2019
2021	$	40,224		$	33,374
2022		33,543			25,911
2023		28,012			23,098
2024		23,578			19,162
2025		21,261			15,330
Thereafter		96,491			92,991
Total lease payments		243,109			209,866
Less: imputed interest		(46,863	)		(43,085	)
Operating lease liabilities	$	196,246		$	166,781

Lease Cost

The following table summarizes lease costs (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019
Operating lease cost	$	43,810		$	39,064
Variable lease cost		1,550			2,326
Short-term lease cost		25,387			31,340
Sublease income		(1,143	)		(420	)
Total lease cost	$	69,604		$	72,310

Operating Leases, Weighted Average Discount Rate and Remaining Lease Term

The following table summarizes other supplemental information about the Company’s operating leases:

	December 31,
	2020			2019
Weighted average discount rate		4.1	%		4.0	%
Weighted average remaining lease term	10 years			11 years

Stock Award Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]

Compensation Cost Breakdown in Statement of Earnings

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Compensation cost	$	14,722	$	13,612	$	19,104
Income tax benefit	$	4,143	$	3,368	$	5,903

Stock Option Valuation Assumptions

The key input variables used in valuing the stock options granted were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Dividend yield	None			None			None
Average risk-free interest rate		1.3	%		2.5	%		2.7	%
Stock price volatility		28	%		28	%		27	%
Estimated option term	5.3 years			5.3 years			5.5 years

Employee Plan [Member]

Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]

Stock Option Activity

The following is a summary of the stock option activity under the employee plan described above:

	Outstanding Non- Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2019		486,059		$	71.65
Granted		114,600		$	73.29
Exercised		(19,851	)	$	64.42
Canceled or expired		(3,291	)	$	95.18
Outstanding at December 31, 2020		577,517		$	72.09

Outstanding and Exercisable Stock Options

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options under the employee plan at December 31, 2020:

		Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices		Number Outstanding		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregated Intrinsic Value		Number Exercisable		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregated Intrinsic Value
$	51.23		62,315		2.1	$	51.23		-		62,315	$	51.23		-
$	64.65 – $68.50		94,218		3.5	$	67.26				63,218	$	68.43
$	73.29 – $75.50		380,289		4.6	$	74.32				157,176	$	74.98
$	84.90 – $101.46		40,695		1.0	$	94.31				36,225	$	95.47
$	51.23 – $101.46		577,517		3.9	$	72.09	$	37,000		318,934	$	71.37	$	37,000

Restricted Stock Award Activity

The following is a summary of the restricted stock award activity under the employee plan described above:

	Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2019		134,669		$	63.28
Vested		(48,450	)	$	63.24
Forfeited		(2,317	)	$	62.46
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2020		83,902		$	63.33

RSU Activity

The following is a summary of RSU activity under the employee plan described above:

	Unvested RSUs			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Unit
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2019		255,167		$	74.96
Granted		153,460		$	73.04
Vested		(64,039	)	$	75.08
Forfeited		(6,170	)	$	73.91
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2020		338,418		$	74.09

Director Plan [Member]

Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]

Stock Option Activity

The following is a summary of the stock option activity under the director plan described above:

	Outstanding Non- Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2019		115,756		$	73.68
Exercised		(12,000	)	$	41.24
Outstanding at December 31, 2020		103,756		$	77.44

Outstanding and Exercisable Stock Options

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s outstanding and exercisable stock options under the director plan at December 31, 2020:

		Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices		Number Outstanding		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value		Number Exercisable		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
$	56.45		13,276		0.3	$	56.45		-		13,276	$	56.45		-
$	61.89 – $62.48		22,000		1.6	$	62.21				22,000	$	62.21
$	70.65 – $99.52		68,480		3.4	$	86.39				68,480	$	86.39
$	56.45 – $99.52		103,756		2.6	$	77.44	$	—		103,756	$	77.44	$	—

Restricted Stock Award Activity

The following is a summary of the restricted stock award activity under the director plan described above:

	Unvested Restricted Stock Award Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2019		1,739		$	83.68
Granted		39,913		$	49.84
Vested		(40,748	)	$	51.28
Nonvested balance at December 31, 2020		904		$	49.84

Taxes on Income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 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):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income:
United States	$	(461,569	)	$	190,839		$	117,800
Foreign		218			(1,019	)		(3,641	)
	$	(461,351	)	$	189,820		$	114,159

Provision (benefit) for taxes on income:
U.S. Federal:
Current	$	(218,613	)	$	(312	)	$	—
Deferred		37,436			45,133			27,102
	$	(181,177	)	$	44,821		$	27,102
U.S. State:
Current	$	3,421		$	76		$	(243	)
Deferred		(12,273	)		1,706			7,619
	$	(8,852	)	$	1,782		$	7,376
Foreign:
Current	$	270		$	198		$	443
Deferred		—			—			160
	$	270		$	198		$	603
Consolidated:
Current	$	(214,922	)	$	(38	)	$	200
Deferred		25,163			46,839			34,881
	$	(189,759	)	$	46,801		$	35,081

Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation

The Company’s provision for taxes on income varied from the statutory federal income tax rate due to the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
United States income tax statutory rate		21.0	%		21.0	%		21.0	%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit		1.2			0.7			6.5
CARES Act – net operating loss carryback		21.3			—			—
Other – net		(2.4	)		3.0			3.2
		41.1	%		24.7	%		30.7	%

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2020			2019
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	1,793		$	1,758
Inventory		13,496			13,401
Insurance accruals		4,864			4,397
Deferred compensation		6,040			1,109
Unrealized loss on defined benefit plans		15,929			10,253
Goodwill and other intangibles		44,487			—
Operating loss carryforwards		82,186			143,181
Pension benefits		7,444			6,825
Other		5,480			7,392
		181,719			188,316
Valuation allowances		(18,025	)		(20,525	)
		163,694			167,791
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property		(678,916	)		(620,891	)
Deferred state taxes		(74,468	)		(63,640	)
Goodwill and other intangibles		—			(54,844	)
Other		(17,154	)		(16,620	)
		(770,538	)		(755,995	)
	$	(606,844	)	$	(588,204	)

Reconciliation of Liability for Unrecognized Tax Benefits

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Balance at beginning of year	$	883		$	1,443		$	1,787
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		262			51			254
Additions for tax positions of prior years		114			58			70
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(266	)		(669	)		(668	)
Settlements		(210	)		—			—
Balance at end of year	$	783		$	883		$	1,443

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

The following table presents the components of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$	(272,546	)	$	142,347		$	78,452
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares		—			(369	)		(324	)
Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders — basic		(272,546	)		141,978			78,128
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares		—			369			324
Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares		—			(369	)		(323	)
Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders — diluted	$	(272,546	)	$	141,978		$	78,129

Shares outstanding:
Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding		60,021			59,905			59,804
Weighted average unvested restricted stock		(109	)		(155	)		(247	)
Weighted average common stock outstanding — basic		59,912			59,750			59,557
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units		—			159			132
Weighted average common stock outstanding — diluted		59,912			59,909			59,689

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic	$	(4.55	)	$	2.38		$	1.31
Diluted	$	(4.55	)	$	2.37		$	1.31

Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Inventories [Abstract]

Details of Inventories

The following table presents the details of inventories (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2020		2019
Finished goods	$	255,491	$	291,214
Work in process		54,184		60,187
	$	309,675	$	351,401

Retirement Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Asset Allocation

	December 31,						Current Minimum, Target and Maximum
Asset Category	2020			2019			Allocation Policy
U.S. equity securities		53	%		53	%		30% — 50%— 70	%
International equity securities		20			19			0% — 20%— 30	%
Debt securities		25			26			15% — 30%— 55	%
Cash and cash equivalents		2			2			0% — 0%— 5	%
		100	%		100	%

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 Welfare Plan
	Pension Plans						SERP						Postretirement Welfare Plan
	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	442,861		$	381,483		$	1,225		$	1,246		$	662		$	743
Service cost		7,671			7,364			—			—			—			—
Interest cost		15,630			16,493			40			52			22			31
Actuarial loss (gain)		58,851			49,478			55			72			84			(22	)
Gross benefits paid		(11,029	)		(11,957	)		(146	)		(145	)		(139	)		(90	)
Settlements		(5,290	)		—			—			—			—			—
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	508,694		$	442,861		$	1,174		$	1,225		$	629		$	662

Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$	479,999		$	417,981		$	1,174		$	1,225		$	629		$	662

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 (a)		2.8% / 2.9	%		3.5	%	2.8	%	3.5	%	2.8	%	3.5	%
Rate of compensation increase	Service-based table			Service-based table			—		—		—		—
Health care cost trend rate
Initial rate		—			—		—		—		6.5	%	6.75	%
Ultimate rate		—			—		—		—		5.0	%	5.0	%
Years to ultimate		—			—		—		—		2025		2025

(a)	The 2020 discount rate was 2.8% for the Kirby pension plan and 2.9% for the Higman pension plan.

Change in Plan Assets

Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	358,197		$	303,151		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Actual return on plan assets		51,024			63,939			—			—			—			—
Employer contribution		2,235			3,064			146			145			139			90
Gross benefits paid		(11,029	)		(11,957	)		(146	)		(145	)		(139	)		(90	)
Settlements		(5,290	)		—			—			—			—			—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	395,137		$	358,197		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

Funded Status at End of Year

													Other Postretirement Benefits
	Pension Benefits												Postretirement Welfare Plan
	Pension Plans						SERP						Postretirement Welfare Plan
	2020			2019			2020			2019			2020			2019
Funded status at end of year
Fair value of plan assets	$	395,137		$	358,197		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Benefit obligations		(508,694	)		(442,861	)		(1,174	)		(1,225	)		(629	)		(662	)
Funded status and amount recognized at end of year	$	(113,557	)	$	(84,664	)	$	(1,174	)	$	(1,225	)	$	(629	)	$	(662	)

Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
Current liability	—		—		(159	)	(159	)	(58	)	(60	)
Long-term liability	(113,557	)	(84,664	)	(1,015	)	(1,066	)	(571	)	(602	)

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	81,376	$	52,160	$	480	$	460	$	(3,189	)	$	(3,795	)
Prior service cost (credit)		—		—		—		—		—			—
Accumulated other compensation income	$	81,376	$	52,160	$	480	$	460	$	(3,189	)	$	(3,795	)

Expected Cash Flows for the Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Benefit Plan

The following table presents the expected cash flows for the Company’s defined benefit plans and postretirement benefit plan (in thousands):

									Other Postretirement Benefits
	Pension Benefits								Postretirement Welfare Plan
	Pension Plans				SERP				Postretirement Welfare Plan
	2020		2019		2020		2019		2020		2019
Expected employer contributions
First year	$	2,385	$	2,407	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Expected benefit payments (gross)
Year one	$	13,902	$	12,063	$	162	$	162	$	59	$	61
Year two		14,902		13,123		136		158		49		62
Year three		16,123		14,300		110		133		48		51
Year four		17,284		15,572		106		107		47		51
Year five		18,315		16,857		101		103		46		49
Next five years		106,400		100,587		406		426		202		220

Pension Benefits [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Net Periodic Benefit Cost


	Pension Benefits
	Pension Plans									SERP
	2020			2019			2018			2020			2019			2018
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	7,671		$	7,364		$	7,622		$	—		$	—		$	—
Interest cost		15,630			16,493			15,499			40			52			49
Expected return on plan assets		(23,790	)		(20,956	)		(22,406	)		—			—			—
Amortization of actuarial loss		2,399			1,438			2,890			35			28			23
Net periodic benefit cost		1,910			4,339			3,605			75			80			72

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
Current year actuarial loss (gain)		31,616			6,497			(7,396	)		55			73			(70	)
Recognition of actuarial loss		(2,399	)		(1,438	)		(2,890	)		(35	)		(28	)		(23	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income		29,217			5,059			(10,286	)		20			45			(93	)

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$	31,127		$	9,398		$	(6,681	)	$	95		$	125		$	(21	)
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
Discount rate (a)		3.5% / 3.10	%		4.4	%		3.7	%		3.5	%		4.4	%		3.7	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		6.75	%		7.0	%		7.0	%		—			—			—
Rate of compensation increase	Service- based table			Service- based table			Service- based table				—			—			—

(a)	The 2020 discount rate for benefit cost is 3.5% for the Kirby pension plan and 3.1% for the Higman pension plan. The 2018 discount rate for benefit cost for the Higman pension plan was changed from 4.13% as of February 14, 2018 and 4.02% as of March 31, 2018 to 4.40% as of December 31, 2018.

Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]

Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

	Other Postretirement Benefits
	Postretirement Welfare Plan
	2020			2019			2018
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Interest cost	$	22		$	31		$	24
Amortization of actuarial gain		(522	)		(540	)		(596	)
Net periodic benefit cost		(500	)		(509	)		(572	)

Other changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
Current year actuarial loss (gain)		84			(22	)		144
Recognition of actuarial gain		522			540			596
Total recognized in other comprehensive income		606			518			740

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$	106		$	9		$	168

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
Discount rate		3.5	%		4.4	%		3.7	%
Health care cost trend rate:
Initial rate		6.75	%		7.0	%		7.0	%
Ultimate rate		5.0	%		5.0	%		5.0	%
Years to ultimate		2025			2025			2022

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]

Changes in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company’s changes in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31
	2020									2019									2018
	Gross Amount			Income Tax (Provision) Benefit			Net Amount			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	$	1,912		$	(483	)	$	1,429		$	926		$	(236	)	$	690		$	2,317		$	(585	)	$	1,732
Actuarial gains (losses)		(31,755	)		7,006			(24,749	)		(6,548	)		1,655			(4,893	)		7,322			(1,416	)		5,906
Adoption of ASU 2018-02 – reclassification to retained earnings		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			(7,925	)		(7,925	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(333	)		—			(333	)		(85	)		—			(85	)		(819	)		—			(819	)
Total	$	(30,176	)	$	6,523		$	(23,653	)	$	(5,707	)	$	1,419		$	(4,288	)	$	8,820		$	(9,926	)	$	(1,106	)

(a)	Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into other income (expense). (See Note 12 – Retirement Plans)

Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Quarterly Results (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Quarterly Results

The unaudited quarterly results were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2020			June 30, 2020			September 30, 2020			December 31, 2020
Revenues	$	643,926		$	541,159		$	496,567		$	489,756
Costs and expenses		1,154,114			506,718			466,340			465,113
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets		492			(189	)		(316	)		131
Operating income (loss)		(509,696	)		34,252			29,911			24,774
Other income		2,723			2,290			1,172			1,962
Interest expense		(12,799	)		(12,708	)		(11,809	)		(11,423	)
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income		(519,772	)		23,834			19,274			15,313
Benefit for taxes on income		172,809			1,429			8,419			7,102
Net earnings (loss)		(346,963	)		25,263			27,693			22,415
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		(278	)		(261	)		(204	)		(211	)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$	(347,241	)	$	25,002		$	27,489		$	22,204

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic	$	(5.80	)	$	0.42		$	0.46		$	0.37
Diluted	$	(5.80	)	$	0.42		$	0.46		$	0.37

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2019			June 30, 2019			September 30, 2019			December 31, 2019
Revenues	$	744,621		$	771,042		$	666,809		$	655,927
Costs and expenses		674,672			698,317			588,534			643,001
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets		2,157			3,118			(374	)		3,251
Operating income		72,106			75,843			77,901			16,177
Other income (expense)		(568	)		2,381			864			1,110
Interest expense		(13,201	)		(15,515	)		(14,310	)		(12,968	)
Earnings before taxes on income		58,337			62,709			64,455			4,319
Provision for taxes on income		(13,880	)		(15,269	)		(16,305	)		(1,347	)
Net earnings		44,457			47,440			48,150			2,972
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		(161	)		(153	)		(163	)		(195	)
Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$	44,296		$	47,287		$	47,987		$	2,777

Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.74		$	0.79		$	0.80		$	0.05
Diluted	$	0.74		$	0.79		$	0.80		$	0.05

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Accruals for revenues earned included in accounts receivable	$ 91,850,000	$ 103,996,000
Receivables from insurance companies to cover claims in excess included in accounts receivable	$ 83,145,000	72,591,000
Drydocking on Ocean-Going Vessels [Abstract]
Period in which recertification of ocean going vessels occur twice	5 years
Recognized amortization of major maintenance costs	$ 30,214,000	23,962,000	$ 20,760,000
Capitalized interest excluded from interest expense	$ 0	$ 1,003,000	$ 2,206,000
Minimum [Member]
Drydocking on Ocean-Going Vessels [Abstract]
Period of amortization of shipyard costs	30 months
Maximum [Member]
Drydocking on Ocean-Going Vessels [Abstract]
Period of amortization of shipyard costs	60 months
Marine Transportation Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Maintenance and Repairs [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	5 years
Marine Transportation Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Maintenance and Repairs [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	40 years
Buildings [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Maintenance and Repairs [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	10 years
Buildings [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Maintenance and Repairs [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	40 years
Other Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Maintenance and Repairs [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	2 years
Other Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Maintenance and Repairs [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of the individual assets	10 years

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) - USD ($)				3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2020	May 10, 2018	Feb. 14, 2018	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill [Abstract]
Balance (gross)				$ 973,995,000		$ 973,995,000	$ 973,995,000	$ 952,602,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization				(20,169,000)		(20,169,000)	(20,169,000)	(17,467,000)
Balance				953,826,000		953,826,000	953,826,000	935,135,000
Impairment				(387,970,000)	$ (2,702,000)	(387,970,000)		(2,702,000)
Other								620,000
Savage acquisition						81,635,000
Balance (gross)					973,995,000	1,065,939,000	973,995,000	973,995,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization					(20,169,000)	(408,139,000)	(20,169,000)	(20,169,000)
Balance					953,826,000	657,800,000	953,826,000	953,826,000
Other Intangibles [Abstract]
Other intangible assets - gross						203,217,000	332,656,000
Accumulated amortization						(134,238,000)	(121,974,000)
Other intangible assets - net						68,979,000	210,682,000
Other intangible liabilities - gross						13,860,000	13,860,000
Accumulated amortization						(10,960,000)	(7,956,000)
Other intangible liabilities - net						2,900,000	5,904,000
Amortization of intangible assets						9,235,000	15,040,000	16,760,000
Intangible Assets and liabilities, Estimated Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2021						7,749,000
2022						7,466,000
2023						7,947,000
2024						8,513,000
2025						$ 8,513,000
Weighted average amortization period for intangible assets and liabilities						9 years
Targa [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Savage acquisition		$ 69,250,000
Goodwill acquired								16,116,000
Higman [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Savage acquisition			$ 421,922,000
Goodwill acquired								4,657,000
Balance			$ 4,657,000
Convoy [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Savage acquisition	$ 37,180,000
Goodwill acquired						$ 10,309,000
Balance	$ 10,309,000
Marine Transportation Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Balance (gross)				424,149,000		424,149,000	424,149,000	403,376,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization				(18,574,000)		(18,574,000)	(18,574,000)	(15,872,000)
Balance				405,575,000		405,575,000	405,575,000	387,504,000
Impairment						0		(2,702,000)
Other								0
Savage acquisition						81,635,000
Balance (gross)					424,149,000	505,784,000	424,149,000	424,149,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization					(18,574,000)	(18,574,000)	(18,574,000)	(18,574,000)
Balance					405,575,000	487,210,000	405,575,000	405,575,000
Marine Transportation Segment [Member] \| Targa [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill acquired								16,116,000
Marine Transportation Segment [Member] \| Higman [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill acquired								4,657,000
Marine Transportation Segment [Member] \| Convoy [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill acquired						0
Distribution and Services Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Balance (gross)				549,846,000		549,846,000	549,846,000	549,226,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization				(1,595,000)		(1,595,000)	(1,595,000)	(1,595,000)
Balance				$ 548,251,000		548,251,000	548,251,000	547,631,000
Impairment						(387,970,000)		0
Other								620,000
Savage acquisition						0
Balance (gross)					549,846,000	560,155,000	549,846,000	549,846,000
Accumulated impairment and amortization					(1,595,000)	(389,565,000)	(1,595,000)	(1,595,000)
Balance					$ 548,251,000	170,590,000	$ 548,251,000	548,251,000
Distribution and Services Segment [Member] \| Targa [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill acquired								0
Distribution and Services Segment [Member] \| Higman [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill acquired								$ 0
Distribution and Services Segment [Member] \| Convoy [Member]
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill acquired						$ 10,309,000

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Revenue Recognition through Accrued Insurance (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accrued Insurance [Abstract]
Accrued insurance liabilities	$ 30,564,000	$ 32,372,000	$ 29,306,000
Marine Transportation Segment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Range of term contracts	1 year
Marine Transportation Segment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Range of term contracts	3 years

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 174,317,000	$ 159,641,000
Liabilities for operating leases	243,109,000	$ 209,866,000
ASU 2016-02 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Operating lease right-of-use assets	168,149,000
Liabilities for operating leases	$ 175,778,000

Acquisitions, 2020 (Details)						3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions, 2020 (Details)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) Vessel bbl	Jan. 03, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2018 USD ($) TankBarge	Dec. 14, 2018 USD ($) bbl TankBarge	Nov. 30, 2018 USD ($) Towboat	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) Vessel	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) Vessel	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) TankBarge	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Purchase price							$ 148,185,000	$ 248,164,000	$ 301,861,000
Cash paid for acquisition							81,635,000
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net [Abstract]
Goodwill						$ 657,800,000	$ 657,800,000	$ 953,826,000	$ 953,826,000	$ 935,135,000
Inland Pressure Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| Vessel						6	6
Purchase price							$ 39,350,000
Inland Tank Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| TankBarge			3	27				9
Purchase price			$ 3,120,000	$ 28,500,000				$ 17,991,000
Tank barge barrel capacity (in barrels) \| bbl				306,000
Inland Towboats [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| Towboat					1
Purchase price					$ 3,050,000
Savage Inland Marine, LLC [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Cash paid for acquisition	$ 278,999,000
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net [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
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
Acquisition related costs						$ 376,000
Savage Inland Marine, LLC [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net [Abstract]
Other intangibles	$ 2,300,000
Intangible assets amortization period							10 years
Savage Inland Marine, LLC [Member] \| Inland Tank Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| Vessel	92
Tank barge barrel capacity (in barrels) \| bbl	2,500,000
Savage Inland Marine, LLC [Member] \| Inland Towboats [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| Vessel	45
Convoy [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Cash paid for acquisition		$ 37,180,000
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net [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
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]
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net [Abstract]
Other intangibles		9,000,000
Intangible assets amortization period							10 years
Convoy [Member] \| Distributorships [Member]
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net [Abstract]
Other intangibles		8,000,000
Intangible assets amortization period							12 years
Convoy [Member] \| Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net [Abstract]
Other intangibles		$ 170,000
Intangible assets amortization period							3 years

Acquisitions, 2019 (Details)					12 Months Ended
Acquisitions, 2019 (Details)	Mar. 14, 2019 USD ($) bbl Towboat TankBarge	Dec. 28, 2018 USD ($) TankBarge	Dec. 14, 2018 USD ($) bbl TankBarge	Nov. 30, 2018 USD ($) Towboat	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) TankBarge	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Purchase price					$ 148,185,000	$ 248,164,000	$ 301,861,000
Inland Tank Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| TankBarge		3	27			9
Purchase price		$ 3,120,000	$ 28,500,000			$ 17,991,000
Tank barge barrel capacity (in barrels) \| bbl			306,000
Average age of property			8 years		5 years
Inland Towboats [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| Towboat				1
Purchase price				$ 3,050,000
Cenac Marine Services, LLC [Member]
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net [Abstract]
Prepaid expenses	$ 1,138,000
Property and equipment	247,122,000
Other intangibles	340,000
Total assets	248,600,000
Other long-term liabilities	4,100,000
Net assets acquired	$ 244,500,000
Weighted average amortization period of intangibles					2 years
Weighted average amortization period of unfavorable contracts					1 year 3 months 18 days
Acquisition related costs						$ 442,000
Cenac Marine Services, LLC [Member] \| Inland Barrel Tank Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| TankBarge	63
Tank barge barrel capacity (in barrels) \| bbl	30,000
Aggregate tank barge barrel capacity (in barrels) \| bbl	1,833,000
Cenac Marine Services, LLC [Member] \| Inland Towboats [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| Towboat	34
Average age of property					7 years
Cenac Marine Services, LLC [Member] \| Offshore Tugboats [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| Towboat	2

Acquisitions, 2018 (Details)							12 Months Ended
Acquisitions, 2018 (Details)	Dec. 28, 2018 USD ($) TankBarge	Dec. 14, 2018 USD ($) bbl TankBarge	Nov. 30, 2018 USD ($) Towboat	May 10, 2018 USD ($) bbl TankBarge	Mar. 15, 2018 USD ($) TankBarge	Feb. 14, 2018 USD ($) bbl Towboat TankBarge	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) TankBarge	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Purchase price							$ 148,185,000	$ 248,164,000	$ 301,861,000
Cash paid for acquisition							81,635,000
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net [Abstract]
Goodwill							$ 657,800,000	953,826,000	$ 953,826,000	$ 935,135,000
Inland Tank Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Purchase price	$ 3,120,000	$ 28,500,000						$ 17,991,000
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| TankBarge	3	27						9
Tank barge barrel capacity (in barrels) \| bbl		306,000
Average age of property		8 years					5 years
Inland Towboats [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Purchase price			$ 3,050,000
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| Towboat			1
Inland Pressure Tank Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Purchase price					$ 10,400,000
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| TankBarge					2
Average age of property					5 years
Targa [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Cash paid for acquisition				$ 69,250,000
Goodwill acquired				16,116,000
Intangible assets acquired				$ 11,000,000
Weighted average amortization period of intangibles				15 years
Targa [Member] \| Inland Pressure Tank Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| TankBarge				16
Tank barge barrel capacity (in barrels) \| bbl				258,000
Average age of property				15 years
Higman [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Cash paid for acquisition						$ 421,922,000
Goodwill acquired						4,657,000
Intangible assets acquired						$ 11,100,000
Weighted average amortization period of intangibles						4 years 10 months 24 days
Acquisition related costs						$ 3,464,000
Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net [Abstract]
Net assets acquired						421,922,000
Cash						2,313,000
Accounts receivable						27,527,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets						5,323,000
Property and equipment						497,951,000
Goodwill						4,657,000
Other assets						30,000
Total assets						537,801,000
Accounts payable						17,012,000
Accrued liabilities						14,127,000
Deferred revenues						40,524,000
Other long-term liabilities						44,216,000
Total liabilities						$ 115,879,000
Higman [Member] \| Inland Tank Barges [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| TankBarge						163
Aggregate tank barge barrel capacity (in barrels) \| bbl						4,800,000
Average age of property						7 years
Higman [Member] \| Inland Towboats [Member]
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Number of maritime vessels acquired \| Towboat						75
Average age of property						8 years

Revenues (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Revenues (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	$ 2,171,408,000	$ 2,838,399,000	$ 2,970,697,000
Revenue recognized	38,455,000	76,412,000
Marine Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	1,404,265,000	1,587,082,000	1,483,143,000
Marine Transportation [Member] \| Inland Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	1,094,630,000	1,220,878,000	1,119,820,000
Marine Transportation [Member] \| Coastal Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	309,635,000	366,204,000	363,323,000
Distribution and Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	767,143,000	1,251,317,000	1,487,554,000
Distribution and Services [Member] \| Oil and Gas [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	200,817,000	659,364,000	1,010,410,000
Distribution and Services [Member] \| Commercial and Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Revenues by major source	$ 566,326,000	$ 591,953,000	$ 477,144,000

- Definition

Amount, excluding tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added and excise.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e9031-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130543-203045

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8736-108599

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e9054-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130545-203045

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 924
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 11.L)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6472922&loc=d3e499488-122856

+ Details

Revenues, Remaining Performance Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue, Performance Obligation [Abstract]
Contract assets	$ 0	$ 0
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Revenue, Performance Obligation [Abstract]
Expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year

Segment Data (Details)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
Segment Data (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Segment Data [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments \| Segment										2
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues										$ 2,171,408,000	$ 2,838,399,000	$ 2,970,697,000
Segment profit (loss)	$ 15,313,000	$ 19,274,000	$ 23,834,000	$ (519,772,000)	$ 4,319,000	$ 64,455,000	$ 62,709,000	$ 58,337,000		(461,351,000)	189,820,000	114,159,000
Total assets	5,924,174,000				6,079,097,000					5,924,174,000	6,079,097,000
Depreciation and amortization										219,921,000	219,632,000	224,972,000
Capital expenditures										148,185,000	248,164,000	301,861,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Gain on disposition of assets	131,000	(316,000)	(189,000)	492,000	3,251,000	(374,000)	3,118,000	2,157,000		118,000	8,152,000	1,968,000
Impairments and other charges				(8,000,000)	(35,525,000)				$ (82,705,000)
Lease cancellation costs										0	0	(2,403,000)
Interest expense	(11,423,000)	(11,809,000)	(12,708,000)	(12,799,000)	(12,968,000)	(14,310,000)	(15,515,000)	(13,201,000)		(48,739,000)	(55,994,000)	(46,856,000)
Other income	1,962,000	1,172,000	2,290,000	2,723,000	1,110,000	864,000	2,381,000	(568,000)
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	15,313,000	$ 19,274,000	$ 23,834,000	$ (519,772,000)	4,319,000	$ 64,455,000	$ 62,709,000	$ 58,337,000		(461,351,000)	189,820,000	114,159,000
Details of "Other" total assets [Abstract]
Investment in affiliates	2,689,000				2,025,000					2,689,000	2,025,000
Marine Transportation [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues										1,404,265,000	1,587,082,000	1,483,143,000
Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues										767,143,000	1,251,317,000	1,487,554,000
Other [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Segment profit (loss)										(612,798,000)	(93,223,000)	(162,562,000)
Total assets	357,894,000				120,335,000					357,894,000	120,335,000
Depreciation and amortization										4,868,000	3,892,000	3,316,000
Capital expenditures										9,341,000	12,516,000	6,166,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
General corporate expenses										(11,050,000)	(13,643,000)	(35,590,000)
Gain on disposition of assets										118,000	8,152,000	1,968,000
Impairments and other charges										(561,274,000)	(35,525,000)	(85,407,000)
Lease cancellation costs										0	0	(2,403,000)
Interest expense										(48,739,000)	(55,994,000)	(46,856,000)
Other income										8,147,000	3,787,000	5,726,000
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income										(612,798,000)	(93,223,000)	(162,562,000)
Details of "Other" total assets [Abstract]
General corporate assets	355,205,000				118,310,000					355,205,000	118,310,000
Investment in affiliates	2,689,000				2,025,000					2,689,000	2,025,000
Total other assets	357,894,000				120,335,000					357,894,000	120,335,000
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Marine Transportation [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues										1,404,265,000	1,587,082,000	1,483,143,000
Segment profit (loss)										163,638,000	215,842,000	147,416,000
Total assets	4,760,449,000				4,536,368,000					4,760,449,000	4,536,368,000
Depreciation and amortization										186,798,000	179,742,000	182,307,000
Capital expenditures										133,990,000	217,364,000	284,953,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income										163,638,000	215,842,000	147,416,000
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues										767,143,000	1,251,317,000	1,487,554,000
Segment profit (loss)										(12,191,000)	67,201,000	129,305,000
Total assets	$ 805,831,000				$ 1,422,394,000					805,831,000	1,422,394,000
Depreciation and amortization										28,255,000	35,998,000	39,349,000
Capital expenditures										4,854,000	18,284,000	10,742,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income										(12,191,000)	67,201,000	129,305,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues										27,782,000	27,441,000	29,363,000
Segment profit (loss)										2,778,000	2,744,000	2,936,000
Other segment disclosures [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income										$ 2,778,000	$ 2,744,000	$ 2,936,000

Long-Term Debt, Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding (Details) - USD ($)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]

Carrying value

$ 1,475,040,000

$ 1,375,016,000

Fair value

1,570,693,000

1,421,325,000

Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs

(6,454,000)

(5,249,000)

^[1]

Long-term debt

1,468,586,000

1,369,767,000

Amount excluded on unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs

2,650,000

2.72% Senior Notes Due February 27, 2020 [Member]

Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]

Carrying value

150,000,000

Fair value

$ 0

151,547,000

Interest rate

2.72%

Maturity Date

Feb. 27, 2020

3.29% Senior Notes Due February, 27 2023 [Member]

Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]

Carrying value

$ 350,000,000

350,000,000

Fair value

$ 364,538,000

353,216,000

Interest rate

3.29%

Maturity Date

Feb. 27, 2023

4.2% Senior Notes Due March 1, 2028 [Member]

Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]

Carrying value

$ 500,000,000

500,000,000

Fair value

581,115,000

541,546,000

Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs

$ (705,000)

Interest rate

4.20%

Maturity Date

Mar. 01, 2028

Bank Note Payable [Member]

Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]

Carrying value

$ 40,000

16,000

Fair value

40,000

16,000

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]

Carrying value

^[2]

250,000,000

Fair value

^[2]

$ 250,000,000

$ 0

Variable interest rates

1.50%

2.90%

Term Loan [Member]

Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]

Carrying value

^[2]

$ 375,000,000

Fair value

^[2]

375,000,000

$ 375,000,000

Long-term debt

$ 343,750,000

Variable interest rates

1.50%

2.90%

Credit Line [Member]

Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Outstanding [Abstract]

Carrying value

$ 0

Fair value

$ 0

[1]	Excludes $2,650,000 attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility included in other assets at December 31, 2019.
[2]	Variable interest rate of 1.5% and 2.9% at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Long-Term Debt, Borrowings and Payments under Bank Credit Facilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Borrowings and Payments under the Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Borrowings (Payments) on bank credit facilities	$ 250,024	$ (417,376)	$ (78,455)
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Borrowings and Payments under the Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Borrowings on bank credit facilities	582,277	1,351,158	2,302,433
Payments on bank credit facilities	(332,253)	(1,768,534)	(2,380,888)
Borrowings (Payments) on bank credit facilities	$ 250,024	$ (417,376)	$ (78,455)

Long-Term Debt, Schedule of Aggregate Payments Due on The Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

$ 40,000

381,250,000

593,750,000

500,000,000

1,475,040,000

$ 1,375,016,000

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Term loan

1,468,586,000

1,369,767,000

Payments on long-term debt

150,000,000

125,000,000

$ 0

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term Debt

^[1]

250,000,000

$ 0

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 850,000,000

Credit facility, expiration date

Mar. 27, 2024

Basis spread on variable rate

1.50%

2.90%

Commitment amount

$ 25,000,000

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Basis spread on variable rate

1.125%

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Alternate Base Rate [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Basis spread on variable rate

0.125%

Letter of Credit [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Credit facility, amount outstanding

$ 5,063,000

Term Loan [Member]

Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

Long-term Debt

^[1]

$ 375,000,000

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Credit facility, expiration date

Mar. 27, 2024

Basis spread on variable rate

1.50%

2.90%

Debt instrument, frequency of periodic payment

quarterly

Term loan

$ 343,750,000

Payments on long-term debt

$ 125,000,000

[1]	Variable interest rate of 1.5% and 2.9% at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 27, 2020

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Payments on long-term debt

$ 150,000,000

$ 125,000,000

$ 0

Original issue discount

6,454,000

5,249,000

^[1]

Senior Notes Due March 1, 2028 [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long term debt, face amount

$ 500,000,000

Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage

4.20%

Maturity Date

Mar. 01, 2028

Periodic payment, interest

$ 10,500,000

Cash proceeds received

495,019,000

Original issue discount

705,000

Debt issuance costs

$ 4,276,000

Senior Notes Series A Due February 27, 2020 [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Payments on long-term debt

$ 150,000,000

Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage

2.72%

Maturity Date

Feb. 27, 2020

Senior Notes Series B Due February 27, 2023 [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Long term debt, face amount

$ 350,000,000

Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage

3.29%

Maturity Date

Feb. 27, 2023

Line Of Credit [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 10,000,000

Credit facility, expiration date

Jun. 30, 2021

Credit facility, amount outstanding

$ 1,007,000

Secured Debt [Member]

Long-term Debt [Abstract]

Short-term debt

$ 40,000,000

$ 16,000,000

[1]	Excludes $2,650,000 attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility included in other assets at December 31, 2019.

Leases, Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Percentage of costs relate to service costs for leased towing vessels	70.00%
Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases [Abstract]
2021	$ 40,224	$ 33,374
2022	33,543	25,911
2023	28,012	23,098
2024	23,578	19,162
2025	21,261	15,330
Thereafter	96,491	92,991
Total lease payments	243,109	209,866
Less: imputed interest	(46,863)	(43,085)
Operating lease liabilities	$ 196,246	$ 166,781

Leases, Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Leases, Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Lease, Cost [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 43,810	$ 39,064
Variable lease cost	1,550	2,326
Short-term lease cost	25,387	31,340
Sublease income	(1,143)	(420)
Total lease cost	$ 69,604	$ 72,310

Leases, Other Supplemental Information (Details)	Dec. 31, 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 (Details)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
Impairments and Other Charges (Details)	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) TankBarge
Impairments and Other Charges [Abstract]
Impairment charge	$ 165,304,000
Impairment of intangible assets other than goodwill	148,909,000
Impairment of property and equipment	16,395,000
Goodwill impairment charge	387,970,000		$ 2,702,000	$ 387,970,000		$ 2,702,000
Impairments and Other Charges [Abstract]
Non-cash pre-tax impairment charge	$ 8,000,000	$ 35,525,000	82,705,000
Impairment charge after tax effect			$ 65,337,000
Impairment charge after tax effect on earning per share (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 1.09
Lease cancellation costs				$ 0	$ 0	2,403,000
Vessels [Member]
Impairments and Other Charges [Abstract]
Non-cash pre-tax impairment charge			$ 78,835,000
Fair market value of assets			13,247,000			13,247,000
Tank Barge [Member]
Impairments and Other Charges [Abstract]
Non-cash pre-tax impairment charge						$ 3,870,000
Number of vessels to be disposed of \| TankBarge						4
Fair market value of assets			220,000			$ 220,000
Scrap value of vessel			$ 220,000			220,000
Lease cancellation costs						$ 2,403,000

Stock Award Plans, Compensation Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Stock Award Plans [Abstract]
Compensation cost	$ 14,722	$ 13,612	$ 19,104
Income tax benefit	$ 4,143	$ 3,368	$ 5,903

Stock Award Plans, Employee Plan Stock Option Activity (Details) - Employee Stock Award Plan [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 $ / shares shares
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Shares available for future grants (in shares)	1,100,687
Stock Options [Member]
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Term of grant	7 years
Vesting period	3 years
Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at Period Start (in shares)	486,059
Granted (in shares)	114,600
Exercised (in shares)	(19,851)
Canceled or expired (in shares)	(3,291)
Outstanding at Period End (in shares)	577,517
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding at Period Start (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 71.65
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	73.29
Exercised (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	64.42
Canceled or expired (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	95.18
Outstanding at Period End (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 72.09
Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]
Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at Period Start (in shares)
Outstanding at Period End (in shares)	0
RSUs [Member]
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Vesting period	5 years

Stock Award Plans, Employee Plan Outstanding and Exercisable Options (Details) - Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] - Stock Options [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares shares
First Price Range [Member]
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 51.23
Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Number Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	62,315
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 51.23
Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	62,315
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 51.23
Second Price Range [Member]
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	64.65
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 68.50
Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Number Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	94,218
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 6 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 67.26
Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	63,218
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 68.43
Third Price Range [Member]
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	73.29
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 75.50
Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Number Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	380,289
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 74.32
Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	157,176
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 74.98
Fourth Price Range [Member]
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	84.90
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 101.46
Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Number Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	40,695
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 94.31
Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	36,225
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 95.47
Full Exercise Price Range [Member]
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	51.23
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 101.46
Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Number Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	577,517
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 72.09
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding \| $	$ 37,000
Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	318,934
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 71.37
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable \| $	$ 37,000

Stock Award Plans, Employee Plan Restricted Stock Award Activity (Details) - Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] - Restricted Stock [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Unvested RSU Shares [Roll Forward]
Nonvested balance beginning of period (in shares)	134,669
Vested (in shares)	(48,450)
Forfeited (in shares)	(2,317)
Nonvested balance end of period (in shares)	83,902	134,669
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Abstract]
Nonvested balance beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 63.28
Vested (in dollars per share)	63.24
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	62.46
Nonvested balance end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 63.33	$ 63.28
Granted (in shares)	0	0	0

Stock Award Plans, Employee Plan RSU Activity (Details) - RSUs [Member] - $ / shares	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Unvested RSU Shares [Roll Forward]
Vested (in shares)				0
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member]
Unvested RSU Shares [Roll Forward]
Nonvested balance beginning of period (in shares)	338,418	255,167
Granted (in shares)		153,460
Vested (in shares)		(64,039)
Forfeited (in shares)		(6,170)
Nonvested balance end of period (in shares)		338,418	255,167
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Abstract]
Nonvested balance beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 74.09	$ 74.96
Granted (in dollars per share)		73.04	$ 74.46	$ 75.59
Vested (in dollars per share)		75.08
Forfeited (in dollars per share)		73.91
Nonvested balance end of period (in dollars per share)		$ 74.09	$ 74.96
Vesting period		5 years
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member] \| Subsequent Events [Member]
Unvested RSU Shares [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)	309,506
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Abstract]
Vesting period	5 years

Stock Award Plans, Director Plan Stock Option Activity (Details) - Director Plan [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 $ / shares shares
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Shares available for future grants (in shares)	421,220
Stock Options [Member]
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Term of grant	10 years
Outstanding Non-Qualified or Nonincentive Stock Awards [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at Period Start (in shares)	115,756
Exercised (in shares)	(12,000)
Outstanding at Period End (in shares)	103,756
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding at Period Start (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 73.68
Exercised (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	41.24
Outstanding at Period End (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 77.44
Restricted Stock [Member]
Stock Award Plan Information [Abstract]
Vesting period	6 months

Stock Award Plans, Director Plan Outstanding and Exercisable Options (Details) - Director Plan [Member] - Stock Options [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares shares
First Price Range [Member]
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 56.45
Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Number Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	13,276
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 months 18 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 56.45
Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	13,276
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 56.45
Second Price Range [Member]
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	61.89
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 62.48
Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Number Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	22,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	1 year 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 62.21
Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	22,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 62.21
Third Price Range [Member]
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	70.65
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 99.52
Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Number Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	68,480
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 86.39
Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	68,480
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 86.39
Full Exercise Price Range [Member]
Outstanding and Exercisable Stock options [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, lower limit (in dollars per share)	56.45
Range of Exercise Prices, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 99.52
Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Number Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	103,756
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 77.44
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding \| $	$ 0
Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Number Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	103,756
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 77.44
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable \| $	$ 0

Stock Award Plans, Director Plan Restricted Stock Award Activity (Details) - Director Plan [Member] - Restricted Stock [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Unvested RSU Shares [Roll Forward]
Nonvested balance beginning of period (in shares)	1,739
Granted (in shares)	39,913
Vested (in shares)	(40,748)
Nonvested balance end of period (in shares)	904	1,739
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share [Abstract]
Nonvested balance beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 83.68
Granted (in dollars per share)	49.84	$ 84.81	$ 85.70
Vested (in dollars per share)	51.28
Nonvested balance end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 49.84	$ 83.68

Stock Award Plans, All Plans Options and Restricted Stock Award Activity (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Plans Combined Disclosure [Abstract]
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$ 745,000	$ 1,655,000	$ 6,709,000
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	210,000	410,000	2,073,000
Intrinsic value of restricted stock vesting	5,649,000	5,917,000	12,936,000
Tax benefit from restricted stock vesting	$ 1,590,000	$ 1,464,000	$ 3,997,000
Fair value of stock options granted (in dollars per share)	$ 20.19	$ 22.77	$ 23.53
Fair value of stock options granted	$ 2,314,000	$ 2,666,000	$ 2,787,000
Employee Stock Award Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Plans Combined Disclosure [Abstract]
Intrinsic value of restricted stock vesting	5,172,000	1,727,000
Tax benefit from restricted stock vesting	1,455,000	$ 427,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Plans Combined Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards	$ 2,136,000
Weighted average period of recognition in years	1 year 8 months 12 days
Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average risk-free interest rate	1.30%	2.50%	2.70%
Stock price volatility	28.00%	28.00%	27.00%
Estimated option term	5 years 3 months 18 days	5 years 3 months 18 days	5 years 6 months
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Plans Combined Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards	$ 1,468,000
Weighted average period of recognition in years	7 months 6 days
Restricted Stock [Member] \| Employee Stock Award Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Plans Combined Disclosure [Abstract]
Vesting (in shares)	48,450
RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Plans Combined Disclosure [Abstract]
Vesting (in shares)			0
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards	$ 13,298,000
Weighted average period of recognition in years	3 years 3 months 18 days
RSUs [Member] \| Employee Stock Award Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Plans Combined Disclosure [Abstract]
Vesting (in shares)	64,039

Taxes on Income, Earnings Before Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2021
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	$ 15,313,000	$ 19,274,000	$ 23,834,000	$ (519,772,000)	$ 4,319,000	$ 64,455,000	$ 62,709,000	$ 58,337,000	$ (461,351,000)	$ 189,820,000	$ 114,159,000
U.S. Federal [Abstract]
Current									(218,613,000)	(312,000)	0
Deferred									37,436,000	45,133,000	27,102,000
Total U.S. Federal									(181,177,000)	44,821,000	27,102,000
U.S. State [Abstract]
Current									3,421,000	76,000	(243,000)
Deferred									(12,273,000)	1,706,000	7,619,000
Total U.S. State									(8,852,000)	1,782,000	7,376,000
Foreign [Abstract]
Current									270,000	198,000	443,000
Deferred									0	0	160,000
Total Foreign									270,000	198,000	603,000
Consolidated [Abstract]
Current									(214,922,000)	(38,000)	200,000
Deferred									25,163,000	46,839,000	34,881,000
Total Provision (benefit) for taxes on income	(7,102,000)	$ (8,419,000)	$ (1,429,000)	$ (172,809,000)	$ 1,347,000	$ 16,305,000	$ 15,269,000	$ 13,880,000	$ (189,759,000)	$ 46,801,000	$ 35,081,000
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate									21.00%	21.00%	21.00%	35.00%
Tax refund amount	(30,606,000)								$ (30,606,000)
Income tax receivable	$ 188,177,000								$ 188,177,000
Subsequent Events [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Tax refund amount													$ (119,493,000)
COVID-19 [Member]
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Operating losses tax year									2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Tax benefit related to CARES Act									$ (59,659,000)
Decrease in deferred tax asset									$ (88,292,000)
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									$ (461,569,000)	$ 190,839,000	$ 117,800,000
Foreign [Member]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income									$ 218,000	$ (1,019,000)	$ (3,641,000)

Taxes on Income, Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Company's provision for taxes on income varied from the statutory federal income tax rate [Abstract]
United States income tax statutory rate	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%	35.00%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit	1.20%	0.70%	6.50%
CARES Act - net operating loss carryback	21.30%	0.00%	0.00%
Other - net	(2.40%)	3.00%	3.20%
Effective income tax rate	41.10%	24.70%	30.70%

Taxes on Income, Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,793,000	$ 1,758,000
Inventory	13,496,000	13,401,000
Insurance accruals	4,864,000	4,397,000
Deferred compensation	6,040,000	1,109,000
Unrealized loss on defined benefit plans	15,929,000	10,253,000
Goodwill and other intangibles	44,487,000	0
Operating loss carryforwards	82,186,000	143,181,000
Pension benefits	7,444,000	6,825,000
Other	5,480,000	7,392,000
Deferred tax assets, gross	181,719,000	188,316,000
Valuation allowances	(18,025,000)	(20,525,000)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	163,694,000	167,791,000
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Property	(678,916,000)	(620,891,000)
Deferred state taxes	(74,468,000)	(63,640,000)
Goodwill and other intangibles	0	(54,844,000)
Other	(17,154,000)	(16,620,000)
Deferred tax liabilities	(770,538,000)	(755,995,000)
Net deferred tax liabilities	(606,844,000)	(588,204,000)
Operating Loss Carryforward [Abstract]
Deferred tax assets	53,498,000
State operating loss deferred tax assets	23,482,000	17,282,000
Operating loss carryforwards, net of valuation allowance	$ 12,819,000	$ 11,760,000
Expiration dates, operating loss carryforwards	Dec. 31, 2037
Unrecognized tax benefits including interest and penalties	$ 971,000
Amount that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized	790,000
Canada [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforward [Abstract]
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 5,206,000
Expiration dates, operating loss carryforwards	Dec. 31, 2040
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Open Tax Year [Abstract]
Years open to audit under the statute of limitations	2017 2018 2019
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Open Tax Year [Abstract]
Years open to audit under the statute of limitations	2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Taxes on Income, Reconciliation of Liability for Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 883,000	$ 1,443,000	$ 1,787,000
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	262,000	51,000	254,000
Additions for tax positions of prior years	114,000	58,000	70,000
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(266,000)	(669,000)	(668,000)
Settlements	(210,000)	0	0
Balance at end of year	783,000	883,000	1,443,000
Income tax penalties and interest recognized	(90,000)	(71,000)	$ (209,000)
Accrued liabilities for payment of interest and penalties	$ 172,000	$ 289,000

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ 22,204	$ 27,489	$ 25,002	$ (347,241)	$ 2,777	$ 47,987	$ 47,287	$ 44,296	$ (272,546)	$ 142,347	$ 78,452
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares									0	(369)	(324)
Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders - basic									(272,546)	141,978	78,128
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares									0	369	324
Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares									0	(369)	(323)
Income (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders - diluted									$ (272,546)	$ 141,978	$ 78,129
Shares outstanding [Abstract]
Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding (in shares)									60,021,000	59,905,000	59,804,000
Weighted average unvested restricted stock (in shares)									(109,000)	(155,000)	(247,000)
Weighted average common stock outstanding - basic (in shares)									59,912,000	59,750,000	59,557,000
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)									0	159,000	132,000
Weighted average common stock outstanding - diluted (in shares)									59,912,000	59,909,000	59,689,000
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.46	$ 0.42	$ (5.80)	$ 0.05	$ 0.80	$ 0.79	$ 0.74	$ (4.55)	$ 2.38	$ 1.31
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.46	$ 0.42	$ (5.80)	$ 0.05	$ 0.80	$ 0.79	$ 0.74	$ (4.55)	$ 2.37	$ 1.31
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)									681,000	187,000	384,000
RSUs [Member]
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)									11,000	0

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Details of inventories [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 255,491	$ 291,214
Work in process	54,184	60,187
Inventories - net	$ 309,675	$ 351,401

Retirement Plans, Information About Plan Assets and Asset Allocation (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Real Estate Investment [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 138,000	$ 125,000
Cash and Equity Securities [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	25,032,000	25,871,000
Higman [Member]
Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]
Decrease in pension plan projected benefit obligation	(3,081,000)
Plan 2018 [Member] \| Higman [Member]
Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]
Pension contributions		1,615,000	$ 1,385,000
Plan 2019 [Member] \| Higman [Member]
Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]
Pension contributions	797,000	1,449,000
Plan 2020 [Member] \| Higman [Member]
Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]
Pension contributions	$ 1,438,000
Plan 2016 and 2017 [Member] \| Higman [Member]
Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]
Pension contributions			6,717,000
Pension Plan [Member]
Information about Plan Assets [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 contributions	$ 2,235,000	3,064,000
Fair value of plan assets	$ 395,137,000	$ 358,197,000	$ 303,151,000
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	6.75%	7.00%	7.00%
Contribution percentage to defined contribution plan	82.00%
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Asset allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| U.S. Equity Securities [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Asset allocations	53.00%	53.00%
Target allocations	50.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| U.S. Equity Securities [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Target allocations	30.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| U.S. Equity Securities [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Target allocations	70.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| International Equity Securities [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Asset allocations	20.00%	19.00%
Target allocations	20.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| International Equity Securities [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Target allocations	0.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| International Equity Securities [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Target allocations	30.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| Debt Securities [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Asset allocations	25.00%	26.00%
Target allocations	30.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| Debt Securities [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Target allocations	15.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| Debt Securities [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Target allocations	55.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Asset allocations	2.00%	2.00%
Target allocations	0.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Target allocations	0.00%
Pension Plan [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Asset Allocation Among Asset Categories [Abstract]
Target allocations	5.00%
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]
Pension contributions	$ 139,000	$ 90,000
Fair value of plan assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Pension plan defined benefit plan cost increase limit percentage	4.00%

Retirement Plans, Schedule of Change in Benefit Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Pension Plan [Member]
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 442,861	$ 381,483
Service cost	7,671	7,364	$ 7,622
Interest cost	15,630	16,493	15,499
Actuarial loss (gain)	58,851	49,478
Gross benefits paid	(11,029)	(11,957)
Settlements	(5,290)	0
Benefit obligation at end of year	508,694	442,861	381,483
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	479,999	417,981
SERP [Member]
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	1,225	1,246
Service cost	0	0	0
Interest cost	40	52	49
Actuarial loss (gain)	55	72
Gross benefits paid	(146)	(145)
Settlements	0	0
Benefit obligation at end of year	1,174	1,225	1,246
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	1,174	1,225
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	662	743
Service cost	0	0
Interest cost	22	31	24
Actuarial loss (gain)	84	(22)
Gross benefits paid	(139)	(90)
Settlements	0	0
Benefit obligation at end of year	629	662	$ 743
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$ 629	$ 662

Retirement Plans, Weighted-Average Assumption Used to Determine Benefit Obligation (Details)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Pension Plan [Member]

Weighted-average assumption used to determine benefit obligation at end of year [Abstract]

Discount rate

2.80%

^[1]

3.50%

Health care cost trend rate [Abstract]

Initial rate

0.00%

Ultimate rate

0.00%

Pension Plan [Member] | Higman [Member]

Weighted-average assumption used to determine benefit obligation at end of year [Abstract]

Discount rate

^[1]

2.90%

SERP [Member]

Weighted-average assumption used to determine benefit obligation at end of year [Abstract]

Discount rate

2.80%

3.50%

Rate of compensation increase

0.00%

Health care cost trend rate [Abstract]

Initial rate

0.00%

Ultimate rate

0.00%

Retirement Plans, Summary of Funded Status at End of Year (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Pension Plan [Member]
Funded status at end of year [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 395,137,000	$ 358,197,000	$ 303,151,000
Benefit obligations	(508,694,000)	(442,861,000)	(381,483,000)
Funded status and amount recognized at end of year	(113,557,000)	(84,664,000)
SERP [Member]
Funded status at end of year [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	0
Benefit obligations	(1,174,000)	(1,225,000)	(1,246,000)
Funded status and amount recognized at end of year	(1,174,000)	(1,225,000)
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Funded status at end of year [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	0
Benefit obligations	(629,000)	(662,000)	$ (743,000)
Funded status and amount recognized at end of year	$ (629,000)	$ (662,000)

Retirement Plans, Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Pension Plan [Member]
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]
Current liability	$ 0	$ 0
Long-term liability	(113,557)	(84,664)
SERP [Member]
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]
Current liability	(159)	(159)
Long-term liability	(1,015)	(1,066)
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]
Current liability	(58)	(60)
Long-term liability	$ (571)	$ (602)

Contingencies and Commitments (Details)			12 Months Ended
Contingencies and Commitments (Details)	Jul. 16, 2019 USD ($)	Jul. 16, 2019 CAD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 Company Spill BargeSlip	May 10, 2019 Vessel	Mar. 22, 2014 Vessel TankBarge
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Loss contingency, settlement charges	$ 2,200,000	$ 2,900,000
Struck by LPG Tanker, the Genesis River [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Number of vessels involved in collision				2
Collision with M/S Summer Wind [Member]
Loss Contingency [Abstract]
Number of vessels involved in collision					2
Number of vessels damaged in collision resulting in fuel oil discharge \| TankBarge					1
Portland Harbor Superfund Site [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Number of other companies also named as Potentially Responsible Parties ("PRPs") \| Company			250
Number of spills \| Spill			4
SBA Shipyard Site [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Number of barge slips \| BargeSlip			3

Contingencies and Commitments, Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) Customers Distributor	Dec. 31, 2019 Customers	Dec. 31, 2018 Customers
Guaranties [Abstract]
Issued guaranties	$ 23,180,000
Maximum [Member]
Guaranties [Abstract]
Guarantor obligations, expiration period	3 years
Performance Bonds [Member]
Guaranties [Abstract]
Issued guaranties	$ 9,594,000
Marine Transportation [Member]
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Percentage of inland revenue	65.00%
Marine Transportation [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Range of renewal options under term contracts	1 year
Marine Transportation [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Range of renewal options under term contracts	3 years
Marine Transportation [Member] \| Customers [Member]
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Percentage of costal revenue	85.00%
Customer relationship period	40 years
Number of single customers accounting more than 10% of segment revenue \| Customers	0	0	0
Distribution and Services [Member]
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Number of off-highway top distributors \| Distributor	5
Distribution and Services [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Services segment's relationship term	50 years
Distribution and Services [Member] \| Customers [Member]
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Number of single customers accounting more than 10% of segment revenue \| Customers	0	0	0
Letters Of Credit [Member]
Guaranties [Abstract]
Issued guaranties	$ 13,586,000

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
ABS [Member]
Related Party [Abstract]
Related party expenses	$ 2,377,000	$ 1,774,000	$ 1,162,000
UK Protection & Indemnity Association [Member]
Related Party [Abstract]
Related party expenses	3,000,000
Signal [Member]
Related Party [Abstract]
Related party expenses	667,000	1,391,000
Strasburger & Price, LLP [Member]
Related Party [Abstract]
Legal services	$ 1,598,000	$ 1,278,000	$ 2,019,000

Retirement Plans, Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Pension Plan [Member]
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$ 81,376	$ 52,160
Prior service cost (credit)	0	0
Accumulated other compensation income	81,376	52,160
SERP [Member]
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss (gain)	480	460
Prior service cost (credit)	0	0
Accumulated other compensation income	480	460
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss (gain)	(3,189)	(3,795)
Prior service cost (credit)	0	0
Accumulated other compensation income	$ (3,189)	$ (3,795)

Retirement Plans, Expected Employer Contribution and Benefit Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Pension Plan [Member]
Expected employer contributions [Abstract]
First year	$ 2,385	$ 2,407
Expected benefit payments (gross) [Abstract]
Year one	13,902	12,063
Year two	14,902	13,123
Year three	16,123	14,300
Year four	17,284	15,572
Year five	18,315	16,857
Next five years	106,400	100,587
SERP [Member]
Expected employer contributions [Abstract]
First year	0	0
Expected benefit payments (gross) [Abstract]
Year one	162	162
Year two	136	158
Year three	110	133
Year four	106	107
Year five	101	103
Next five years	406	426
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Expected employer contributions [Abstract]
First year	0	0
Expected benefit payments (gross) [Abstract]
Year one	59	61
Year two	49	62
Year three	48	51
Year four	47	51
Year five	46	49
Next five years	$ 202	$ 220