David Grzebinski News

Waterway traffic is coming back. November 2021 saw 52.1 million tons moving on the U.S. inland waterway system, the highest monthly tonnage since October 2019, a few months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shutdowns and stoppages of early 2020. Flows estimated by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, based on data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) show a 25% rise from June 2020. Data in a presentation by The Waterways Council Inc (WCI)…

Among transportation planners, “resilience”, describing the ability to bounce back from adversities, both economic and other, has become a top consideration as we increasingly must “expect the unexpected.” The U.S. waterway system, covering the network of inland rivers and coastwise waterways, has seen a mix of good and not so good. As the 2020-2021 pandemic moves toward winding down, a recovery from the dismal 2020 is underway, but activity on the rivers is uneven. Ken Eriksen…

President Joe Biden on Monday signed an executive order aiming to use government spending to strengthen domestic manufacturing and create markets for new technologies, in a move widely praised by America's maritime industry.The executive order, titled Strengthening "Buy American" Provisions, Ensuring Future of America is Made in America by All of America’s Workers", calls for increasing the amount of U.S. content that must be in a product for it to be considered made in America under existing "Buy American" requirements.

The combination of the coronavirus pandemic and oil price freefall have affected most maritime markets, including inland waterway shipping. Looking at U.S. river transport in particular, the impacts of these two black swan events vary greatly depending on the type of cargo being carried.David Grzebinski, CEO of the America’s largest tank barge operator, Kirby Corp., said in a March conference call that petrochemical customers have driven the market higher as plants and refineries look to shore up their supply chains amid current market upheavals…

America's largest tank barge operator Kirby Corporation on Tuesday announced a net loss of $248.5 million for the first quarter, down from $44.3 million earnings for the same period last year. The company also withdrew its full year earnings guidance.The sharp deceline in energy prices and oil and gas activity negatively impacted the revenue and operating income of Kirby's distribution and services segment, leading the Houston-based company to implement workforce reductions, furloughs and reduced work schedules…

Houston-based Kirby Corporation said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Savage Inland Marine's towboat and tank barge fleet for approximately $278 million in cash and the assumption of leases.Kirby will acquire Savage's inland fleet consisting of 46 towboats and 90 tank barges with approximately 2.5 million barrels of capacity, primarily used for transporting petrochemicals, refined products and crude oil on the Mississippi River, its tributaries and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

Kirby Corporation (“Kirby”) (NYSE: KEX) has announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019 of $47.3 million, or $0.79 per share, compared with earnings of $28.6 million, or $0.48 per share, for the 2018 second quarter. Excluding a one-time charge related to the retirement of Kirby’s Executive Chairman, 2018 second quarter net earnings attributable to Kirby were $46.8 million, or $0.78 per share. Consolidated revenues for the 2019 second quarter were $771.0 million compared with $802.7 million reported for the 2018 second quarter.David Grzebinski…

The U.S. towing and tug business is 5,500 boats, more than 31,000 barges with an estimated total impact on U.S. GDP of $33.8 billion.“At a macro level, the bigger ships are causing downward pressure on the ship assist business because there are fewer ship calls given the increased capacity of these vessels. However, certain ports have seen tremendous growth, based on strategic location and infrastructure investments that have attracted these larger ships and been a net plus for these areas.”Kate Fuhrman…

Another year; another major fleet takeover by Kirby Corporation. But the leader of the inland tank-barge sector is not growing for growth’s sake: a deeper look at the numbers shows a disciplined strategy at work.“Kirby is definitely the big gorilla in the inland barge market,” affirmed Jefferies analyst Randy Giveans. Indeed, Houston-headquartered Kirby Corp has been extremely active buying fleets over the past few years, most recently acquiring the 63 tank barges of Cenac Marine in March for $244 million.

Kirby Corporation announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 of $44.3 million, or $0.74 per share, compared with earnings of $32.5 million, or $0.54 per share, for the 2018 first quarter. Excluding certain one-time charges, 2018 first quarter net earnings attributable to Kirby were $37.9 million, or $0.63 per share. Consolidated revenues for the 2019 first quarter were $744.6 million compared with $741.7 million reported for the 2018 first quarter.David Grzebinski…

Kirby Corporation announced a net loss attributable to Kirby for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018 of ($24.4) million, or ($0.41) per share, compared with earnings of $231.3 million, or $3.87 per share, for the 2017 fourth quarter. Excluding certain one-time charges, 2018 fourth quarter net earnings attributable to Kirby were $44.9 million, or $0.75 per share. Consolidated revenues for the 2018 fourth quarter were $721.5 million compared with $708.1 million reported for the 2017 fourth quarter.For the 2018 full year…

Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding delivered an Articulated Tug Barge Unit (ATB) to Kirby Corporation (NYSE: KEX). “This is the third 155,000 barrel ATB it has built for Kirby in the past three years," said Kirby CEO David Grzebinski. "This new Jones Act-compliant ATB unit will allow us to continue our commitment to provide efficient and reliable customer service.”The 8,000-hp, 12-knot tug Ronnie Murph measures 130 x 42 with a 23-ft. depth and a 19-ft. draft.The barge, KIRBY 155-03, is measures 521 x 72 ft., with a depth of 41 ft. and a 155,000-barrel capacity.

Kirby Corporation has announced the signing of an agreement to acquire Targa Resources Corp’s inland marine tank barge business for approximately $69.3 million in cash. The purchase will be financed through additional borrowings. Targa’s inland marine tank barge fleet consists of 16 pressure barges that have a total capacity of approximately 258,000 barrels, many of which are under long-term multi-year contracts. The closing of the acquisition is expected to occur near the end of the second quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions. David Grzebinski, Kirby’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Targa’s inland pressure barges are an excellent addition to Kirby’s fleet. With the ongoing petrochemical build-out progressing along the U.S.

Kirby Corporation announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Higman Marine, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Higman”), for approximately $419 million in cash, subject to certain closing adjustments. The purchase will be financed through additional borrowings. Higman’s marine transportation fleet consists of 159 inland tank barges with 4.8 million barrels of capacity, and 75 inland towboats. Higman’s fleet moves petrochemicals, refined petroleum products, crude oil, natural gas condensate, and black oil on the Mississippi River System and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway for large midstream and global integrated oil companies. The closing of the acquisition is expected to occur in the first quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Kirby Corporation (NYSE: KEX) has announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 of $25.8 million, or $0.48 per share, compared with $38.9 million, or $0.72 per share, for the 2016 second quarter. Second quarter net earnings includes pre-tax expenses of $0.7 million, or approximately $0.01 per share, related to the pending acquisition of Stewart & Stevenson LLC (“S&S”). Consolidated revenues for the 2017 second quarter were $473.3 million compared with $441.6 million reported for the 2016 second quarter.

Houston based tank barge operator Kirby Corporation said it has signed an agreement to acquire the assets and businesses of Stewart & Stevenson LLC for approximately $710 million. The agreement was signed on June 13 by the companies’ executive chairmen, Joseph H. Pyne of Kirby Corporation and Hushang Ansary of Stewart & Stevenson. Kirby said the purchase  will be funded through its revolving credit facility and common stock valued at approximately $355 million. Stewart & Stevenson, also based in Houston, is a subsidiary of the Houston-based Parman Capital Group.

Kirby Corporation has agreed to purchase the inland tank barge fleet of SEACOR Holdings Inc. from subsidiaries of Seacor for approximately $88 million in cash. The asset purchase will consist of 27 inland 30,000 barrel tank barges and 13 inland towboats, plus one 30,000 barrel tank barge and one towboat currently under construction. Also, as part of the agreement, Kirby will transfer to Seacor the ownership of one Florida-based ship docking tugboat. The deal is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2016 and is subject to certain customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Kirby Corporation announced record net earnings of $68.1 million, or $1.19 per share, for the fourth quarter 2014 (ended December 31). The results bested 2013’s fourth quarter figures of $64.3 million, $1.13 per share. Consolidated revenues for the 2014 Q4 increased 18% to $668.3 million compared with $568.4 million for Q4 2013. Kirby also reported record net earnings for the 2014 year of $282 million, $4.93 per share, compared with $253.1 million, $4.44 per share, for 2013 which included a $0.20 per share benefit due to the reduction of the United earnout liability.

Record 2014 third quarter earnings per share of $1.34 compared with $1.21 in the 2013 third quarter, which included a $0.08 benefit due to the reduction of the United earnout liability. Kirby Corporation announced record net earnings attributable to Kirby for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014 of $76.7 million, or $1.34 per share, compared with $69.1 million, or $1.21 per share, for the 2013 third quarter, which included a $0.08 per share benefit due to the reduction of the United earnout liability.

Record 2014 second quarter earnings per share of $1.31 compared with $1.11 in the 2013 second quarter, which included a $0.07 benefit due to the reduction of the United earnout liability. Kirby Corporation announced record net earnings attributable to Kirby for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014 of $75.0 million, or $1.31 per share, compared with $63.1 million, or $1.11 per share, for the 2013 second quarter. Consolidated revenues for the 2014 second quarter increased 11% to $628.1 million compared with $563.9 million reported for the 2013 second quarter.

US tank barge operator and diesel engine service providers, Kirby Corporation, inform that earnings for the first quarter ending March 31, 2014 amounted to $62.2 million, or $1.09 per share, compared with $56.6 million, or $1.00 per share, for the 2013 first quarter. Consolidated revenues for the 2014 first quarter were $589.2 million compared with $558.8 million reported for the 2013 first quarter. Kirby's 2014 first quarter results included a $0.03 per share severance charge and an estimated $0.03 per share combined impact from delays related to winter weather and the costs associated with a collision of a Kirby vessel in the Houston Ship Channel.

Kirby Corporation announced record net earnings attributable to Kirby for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012 of $50.9 million, or $.91 per share, compared with $32.4 million, or $.60 per share, for the 2011 first quarter. Consolidated revenues for the 2012 first quarter were $566.9 million compared with $299.4 million reported for the 2011 first quarter. Kirby's 2012 first quarter results included a $4.2 million before taxes, or $.05 per share, charge associated with increasing the fair value of the United Holdings LLC ("United") contingent earnout liability…