Sustainability Overview
Message from CEO David Grzebinski
“The Kirby Way” defines our core values of Safety, People, Excellence, Community, and Integrity.
Our Marine Transportation segment played an important role in moving essential cargo, including petrochemicals, refined products, and agricultural chemicals, while maintaining a strong focus on safety and operational efficiency. Our Distribution & Services segment also advanced technologies and services that support customer operations across power generation, industrial and energy markets.
We remain focused on improving the efficiency of our operations and advancing practical solutions that support long-term sustainability. This includes ongoing investments in our fleet, equipment, and operations, as well as continued progress in developing and deploying new technologies, including hybrid electric towboats.
Safety continues to be a defining priority across the organization. We made meaningful progress in 2025 and continue to do so in 2026, reinforcing our commitment to our goal of “No Harm” to people, the environment, and equipment.
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Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on disciplined execution of our strategy, maintaining transparency with stakeholders, and advancing responsible, practical solutions that support our business and the markets we serve.
Thank you for your continued trust and support.
Disclosure Note: Kirby Corporation’s Sustainability Report provides an overview of long-term company goals and efforts in support of those goals. Some material is derived from other company documents. Portions of the report contain aspirational or otherwise forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ, possibly materially, from the company’s expectations or predictions expressed in the document. See the Appendix for additional important information about these forward-looking statements.
Sustainability Report Highlights
Guiding ESG Frameworks and Standards
Kirby is relying on the following frameworks and standards to guide our ESG journey.
“The Kirby Way”
Safety
Our guiding principle is No Harm to people, the environment, or equipment. Safety is at the core of everything we do and always drives our decision-making.
People
Our people make the difference. We invest in the tools and resources to empower our employees, and we promote a workplace that values mutual respect, knowledge, and teamwork.
Integrity
Do the right thing by having the highest ethical standards while always being transparent and accountable for our actions.
Excellence
Creating value for our customers and shareholders by providing the highest quality service and products.
Community
Sharing our success with each other and the communities in which we live and work in by protecting the environment and encouraging volunteerism.
Kirby Contributes to a Better Quality of Life Every Day
Kirby’s products and services are vital to the development of common end-products and used by people daily.
Our involvement stretches from our marine transportation business, which safely and efficiently moves millions of tons of cargo transporting petrochemicals, refined products, and agricultural liquids annually, to our Kirby Distribution and Services business that manufactures environmentally friendly oilfield equipment.
We are proud to play a critical role in the supply chain of countless products that create a better quality of life for people around the world. This includes pharmaceuticals and medical equipment that support health and wellness, along with cell phones, school supplies, safety gear, recreational products, and personal care essentials—all made possible through the materials we help transport and deliver.
Stakeholder Engagement and Participation
Blue-Sky Maritime Coalition (BSMC)
- Kirby is a founding member and serves in leadership positions (Board Member and Treasurer)
- BSMC members recognize the need to address global climate change and are committed to accelerating the transition of waterborne transportation in the United States and Canada toward net zero GHG emissions through development of infrastructure, encouraging innovation, and promoting policies
Climate-Related Risks and Opportunities
Kirby’s Marine Transportation segment moves millions of cargo tons of petrochemical, refined, and agricultural products annually. Demand for these products has increased over the years and according to the International Energy Association, is expected to continue growing. As a result, Kirby faces a dual challenge: reducing emissions and managing climate-related risks and opportunities associated with transporting these products, while continuing to meet customer demand. Below is a summary of the framework used in Kirby’s report aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
Risk Management
Our enterprise risk management process, Kirby is performing a scenario analysis of risks and opportunities associated with changing weather patterns that could have significant impact on our operations
- Hurricane scenario
- High water scenario
- Energy technology transition
Governance
Board Oversight
- ESG & Nominating Committee: ESG/Sustainability issues
- Audit Committee: Climate-related risk and opportunities
Management Oversight
- Climate-related risk and opportunities
- ESG/Sustainability issues
Strategies with Examples
Transition Risks
- Policy and Legal: Oil and gas regulations changes
- Technology: Transition to low-emissions equipment, energy technology
- Market: Eco-friendly fracking equipment
- Reputation: Cargo spills
Physical Risks
- Acute: Hurricanes
- Climate: Flooding
Target and Metric
Kirby Corporation is committed to reducing the negative effects of climate-related risks and developing strategies to capture opportunities.
To address its marine fleet’s CO2e emissions, the Company has established a 40% emissions reduction target per barrel of capacity through 2040.
For more information, please see our Environmental page.