Kirby is the largest domestic tank barge operator in the U.S., transporting bulk liquid products — petrochemicals, refined petroleum products, black oil, and agricultural chemicals — for refineries, petrochemical plants, and industrial customers. Kirby's marine transportation segment operates an inland fleet across the Mississippi River System and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and a coastal fleet along all three U.S. coasts. All vessels operate under the Jones Act, which restricts U.S. domestic marine transportation to U.S.-built, -flagged, -owned, and -crewed vessels. Marine revenues are split between term contracts and spot contracts, with term contracts representing the majority of inland revenue and all coastal revenue. Kirby's second segment, Distribution and Services, provides after-market parts, service, and manufacturing for diesel engines, power generation systems, and oilfield equipment. Power generation — particularly backup power for data centers and behind-the-meter prime power — is the fastest-growing part of this segment. Kirby's growth priorities include bolt-on acquisitions in the inland tank barge market, expanding its power generation manufacturing capacity toward larger multi-megawatt systems, and returning excess cash to shareholders through share repurchases.
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