CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 5,734	$ 237,014	$ (33,642)	$ 1,046,615	$ (99,622)	$ 3,040
Issuance of shares in acquisition	194	112,825
Excess of proceeds received upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock over cost of treasury stock issued		4,359
Tax benefit realized from equity compensation plans		1,348					1,348
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures		(7,480)
Amortization of unearned compensation		9,228
Net earnings attributable to Kirby for the year				183,026			183,026
Cost of treasury stock issued upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock (261,000 in 2013, 341,000 in 2012 and 248,000 in 2011)					5,460
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests						2,466	(2,466)
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests						(2,115)	2,115
Proceeds from noncontrolling interest investments						268	(268)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests						7,974
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes			(22,534)				(22,534)	[1]
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2011	5,928	357,294	(56,176)	1,229,641	(94,162)	11,633
Issuance of shares in acquisition	50	29,030
Excess of proceeds received upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock over cost of treasury stock issued		6,716
Tax benefit realized from equity compensation plans		3,212					3,212
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures		(8,263)
Amortization of unearned compensation		9,796
Net earnings attributable to Kirby for the year				209,438			209,438
Cost of treasury stock issued upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock (261,000 in 2013, 341,000 in 2012 and 248,000 in 2011)					7,415
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests						3,181	(3,181)
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests						(2,728)	2,728
Proceeds from noncontrolling interest investments						0	0
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests						0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes			(4,951)				(4,951)	[1]
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2012	5,978	397,785	(61,127)	1,439,079	(86,747)	12,086	1,707,054
Issuance of shares in acquisition	0	0
Excess of proceeds received upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock over cost of treasury stock issued		8,276
Tax benefit realized from equity compensation plans		3,001					3,001
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures		(10,068)
Amortization of unearned compensation		11,621
Net earnings attributable to Kirby for the year				253,061			253,061
Cost of treasury stock issued upon exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted stock (261,000 in 2013, 341,000 in 2012 and 248,000 in 2011)					5,493
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests						3,238	(3,238)
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests						(3,857)	3,857
Proceeds from noncontrolling interest investments						0	0
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests						0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes			44,334				44,334	[1]
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 5,978	$ 410,615	$ (16,793)	$ 1,692,140	$ (81,254)	$ 11,467	$ 2,022,153

[1] Reclassifications to net earnings of derivatives qualifying as effective hedges are recognized in interest expense or costs of sales and operating expenses as appropriate. (See Note 5 – Derivative Instruments)