CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 3,091,640	$ 2,784,754	$ 2,246,660
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales and operating expenses	2,180,422	2,060,941	1,652,961
Selling, General and Administrative Expense	335,213	302,692	266,911
Taxes, other than on income	34,766	35,071	36,251
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	211,156	201,443	213,718
Impairments and other charges	0	0	340,713
Gain on disposition of assets	(5,009)	(8,279)	(5,761)
Total costs and expenses	2,756,548	2,591,868	2,504,793
Operating income (loss)	335,092	192,886	(258,133)
Other income	11,041	16,677	10,001
Interest expense	(52,008)	(44,588)	(42,469)
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income	294,125	164,975	(290,601)
(Provision) benefit for taxes on income	(71,220)	(42,214)	43,830
Net earnings (loss)	222,905	122,761	(246,771)
Less: Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	30	(470)	(183)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby	$ 222,935	$ 122,291	$ (246,954)
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 3.74	$ 2.04	$ (4.11)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 3.72	$ 2.03	$ (4.11)
Marine Transportation [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,721,937	$ 1,616,967	$ 1,322,918
Distribution and Services [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,369,703	$ 1,167,787	$ 923,742