CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 2,784,754	$ 2,246,660	$ 2,171,408
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales and operating expenses	2,060,941	1,652,961	1,510,818
Selling, general and administrative	302,692	266,911	258,272
Taxes, other than on income	35,071	36,251	42,000
Depreciation and amortization	201,443	213,718	219,921
Impairments and other charges	0	340,713	561,274
Gain on disposition of assets	(8,279)	(5,761)	(118)
Total costs and expenses	2,591,868	2,504,793	2,592,167
Operating income (loss)	192,886	(258,133)	(420,759)
Other income	16,677	10,001	8,147
Interest expense	(44,588)	(42,469)	(48,739)
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	164,975	(290,601)	(461,351)
(Provision) benefit for taxes on income	(42,214)	43,830	189,759
Net earnings (loss)	122,761	(246,771)	(271,592)
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(470)	(183)	(954)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ 122,291	$ (246,954)	$ (272,546)
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.04	$ (4.11)	$ (4.55)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.03	$ (4.11)	$ (4.55)
Marine Transportation (KMT) [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 1,616,967	$ 1,322,918	$ 1,404,265
Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 1,167,787	$ 923,742	$ 767,143