CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Marine transportation	$ 1,408,893	$ 1,194,607	$ 915,046
Diesel engine services	703,765	655,810	194,511
Total revenues	2,112,658	1,850,417	1,109,557
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales and operating expenses	1,409,662	1,228,440	683,236
Selling, general and administrative	178,483	170,386	117,694
Taxes, other than on income	14,519	13,179	13,209
Depreciation and amortization	145,147	126,029	95,296
Loss on disposition of assets	14	40	78
Total costs and expenses	1,747,825	1,538,074	909,513
Operating income	364,833	312,343	200,044
Equity in earnings of affiliates	276	347	283
Other income (expense)	(198)	(41)	273
Interest expense	(24,385)	(17,902)	(10,960)
Earnings before taxes on income	340,526	294,747	189,640
Provision for taxes on income	(127,907)	(109,255)	(72,258)
Net earnings	212,619	185,492	117,382
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,181)	(2,466)	(1,133)
Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$ 209,438	$ 183,026	$ 116,249
Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.75	$ 3.35	$ 2.16
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.73	$ 3.33	$ 2.15