CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Marine transportation	$ 1,713,167	$ 1,408,893	$ 1,194,607
Diesel engine services	529,028	703,765	655,810
Total revenues	2,242,195	2,112,658	1,850,417
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales and operating expenses	1,448,805	1,409,662	1,228,440
Selling, general and administrative	177,766	178,483	170,386
Taxes, other than on income	15,893	14,519	13,179
Depreciation and amortization	164,437	145,147	126,029
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	(888)	14	40
Total costs and expenses	1,806,013	1,747,825	1,538,074
Operating income	436,182	364,833	312,343
Equity in earnings of affiliates	348	276	347
Other income (expense)	20	(198)	(41)
Interest expense	(27,872)	(24,385)	(17,902)
Earnings before taxes on income	408,678	340,526	294,747
Provision for taxes on income	(152,379)	(127,907)	(109,255)
Net earnings	256,299	212,619	185,492
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,238)	(3,181)	(2,466)
Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$ 253,061	$ 209,438	$ 183,026
Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 4.46	$ 3.75	$ 3.35
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.44	$ 3.73	$ 3.33