CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Marine transportation	$ 1,324,106	$ 1,471,893	$ 1,663,090
Distribution and services	890,312	298,780	484,442
Total revenues	2,214,418	1,770,673	2,147,532
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales and operating expenses	1,557,564	1,126,952	1,362,366
Selling, general and administrative	220,364	174,752	193,237
Taxes, other than on income	29,163	22,730	20,699
Depreciation and amortization	202,881	200,917	192,240
Impairment of long-lived assets	105,712	0	0
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	4,487	127	(1,672)
Total costs and expenses	2,120,171	1,525,478	1,766,870
Operating income	94,247	245,195	380,662
Equity in earnings of affiliates	291	532	451
Other expense	(52)	(291)	(663)
Interest expense	(21,472)	(17,690)	(18,738)
Earnings before taxes on income	73,014	227,746	361,712
Benefit (provision) for taxes on income	240,889	(84,942)	(133,742)
Net earnings	313,903	142,804	227,970
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(716)	(1,398)	(1,286)
Net earnings attributable to Kirby	$ 313,187	$ 141,406	$ 226,684
Net earnings per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 5.62	$ 2.63	$ 4.12
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 5.62	$ 2.62	$ 4.11