CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 212,619	$ 185,492	$ 117,382
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Pension and postretirement benefits	(10,270)	(27,383)	(1,654)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	102	(350)	0
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	5,217	5,199	(1,520)
Total comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(4,951)	(22,534)	(3,174)
Total comprehensive income, net of taxes	207,668	162,958	114,208
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,181)	(2,466)	(1,133)
Comprehensive income attributable to Kirby	$ 204,487	$ 160,492	$ 113,075

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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-Glossary Net Income

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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Net of tax and reclassification adjustments amount of the change in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Also includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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Net of tax and reclassification adjustments of the change in the balance sheet adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity. Also includes the following: gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts; foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements; and gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) that has been designated and qualified as a hedging instrument for hedging of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

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Net of tax amount of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to both parent entity and noncontrolling interest.

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Net of tax and reclassifications amount of pension and other postretirement benefit plans (gain) loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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