Inland Marine

Kirby Inland Marine operates the nation’s largest fleet of inland tank barges and towing vessels which efficiently and safely transport petrochemicals, refined products, black oil, and agricultural chemicals from producers to intermediaries to end users.

Kirby’s service area spans America’s inland waterway network which extends 26,000 miles, of which 12,000 miles is used for significant domestic commerce. This navigable waterway system links the United States heartland to the world. Kirby’s primary inland distribution area encompasses the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (the “canal”) from Brownsville, Texas, to St. Marks, Florida, plus the Mississippi River and its tributaries, including the Ohio and Illinois Rivers. Kirby Inland Marine is capable of transporting liquid bulk cargoes from one end of this inland waterway network to the other without a change of carrier.

Why Kirby

How We Operate

Unit Tows

Kirby’s unit tow operation transports petrochemical feedstocks, black oil, pressurized products, chemicals, and refined products with barges assigned to a dedicated towboat for a single customer. Unit tows operate similar to a taxi service for one customer.  The service provides non-stop transit, faster delivery, and route flexibility. A unit tow on the canal typically consists of one to three barges, pushed by an 800 to 3000 horsepower towboat. A river unit tow typically includes two to six barges, pushed by a 2000 to 5600 horsepower towboat.

Linehaul

Kirby’s linehaul operation transports petrochemical feedstocks, chemicals, and lube oils for multiple customers on a pre-determined route with a shared towboat.  Linehaul tows operate similar to a passenger bus, with barges being dropped off and picked up along the route. A linehaul tow on the canal usually comprises three to five barges with a 1400 to 2200 horsepower towboat.  A linehaul river tow is much longer, consisting of 10 to 25 barges and using a 3000 to 5600 horsepower towboat.

Products We Move

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