Name:	kex_DryDockingAndOceanGoingVesselsAbstract
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Represents the period in which recertification of ocean going vessels occur twice.

No definition available.

Name:	kex_PeriodInWhichRecertificationOfOceanGoingVesselsOccurTwice
Namespace Prefix:	kex_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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Represents the period of amortization of shipyard costs.

No definition available.

Name:	kex_PeriodOfAmortizationOfShipyardCosts
Namespace Prefix:	kex_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Refers to the amount of receivables from insurance companies to cover claims in excess included in accounts receivable.

No definition available.

Name:	kex_ReceivablesFromInsuranceCompaniesToCoverClaimsInExcessIncludedInAccountsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	kex_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of interest capitalized during the period.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

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- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ReceivablesAbstract
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Period Type:	duration

Amount received for services rendered and products shipped, but not yet billed, for non-contractual agreements due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=kex_MarineTransportationEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_BuildingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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