UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021
or
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 1-7615
KIRBY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
74-1884980
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
55 Waugh Drive, Suite 1000
Houston, TX
77007
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
713-435-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
No Change
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
KEX
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulations S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No
As of November 5, 2021, 60,111,000 shares of the Registrant’s $0.10 par value per share common stock were outstanding.
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
KIRBY CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
September 30,2021
December 31,2020
($ in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
54,377
80,338
Accounts receivable:
Trade – less allowance for doubtful accounts
389,579
315,283
Other
150,811
284,899
Inventories – net
308,820
309,675
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
75,004
57,776
Total current assets
978,591
1,047,971
Property and equipment
5,385,478
5,615,400
Accumulated depreciation
(1,680,231
)
(1,698,330
Property and equipment – net
3,705,247
3,917,070
Operating lease right-of-use assets
159,627
174,317
Goodwill
438,748
657,800
Other intangibles, net
62,233
68,979
Other assets
45,436
58,037
Total assets
5,389,882
5,924,174
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Bank notes payable
1,983
40
Income taxes payable
499
474
Accounts payable
181,313
162,507
Accrued liabilities
228,375
224,855
Current portion of operating lease liabilities
32,813
32,750
Deferred revenues
67,214
45,406
Total current liabilities
512,197
466,032
Long-term debt, net – less current portion
1,206,193
1,468,546
Deferred income taxes
552,913
606,844
Operating lease liabilities – less current portion
152,615
163,496
Other long-term liabilities
119,740
131,703
Total long-term liabilities
2,031,461
2,370,589
Contingencies and commitments
—
Equity:
Kirby stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value per share. Authorized 120,000,000 shares, issued 65,472,000 shares
6,547
Additional paid-in capital
851,587
844,979
Accumulated other comprehensive income – net
(54,663
(61,452
Retained earnings
2,335,478
2,593,393
Treasury stock – at cost, 5,361,000 shares at September 30, 2021 and 5,434,000 at December 31, 2020
(295,203
(299,161
Total Kirby stockholders’ equity
2,843,746
3,084,306
Noncontrolling interests
2,478
3,247
Total equity
2,846,224
3,087,553
Total liabilities and equity
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
1
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021
2020
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Marine transportation
338,514
320,602
972,352
1,104,846
Distribution and services
260,406
175,965
683,042
576,806
Total revenues
598,920
496,567
1,655,394
1,681,652
Costs and expenses:
Costs of sales and operating expenses
446,519
340,764
1,219,038
1,167,871
Selling, general and administrative
66,065
61,720
198,434
199,412
Taxes, other than on income
9,917
9,077
28,541
33,548
Depreciation and amortization
53,462
54,779
163,484
165,067
Impairments and other charges
340,713
561,274
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets
(830
316
(5,082
13
Total costs and expenses
915,846
466,656
1,945,128
2,127,185
Operating income (loss)
(316,926
29,911
(289,734
(445,533
Other income
1,832
1,172
8,146
6,185
Interest expense
(10,500
(11,809
(32,172
(37,316
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income
(325,594
19,274
(313,760
(476,664
Benefit for taxes on income
60,442
8,419
55,840
182,657
Net earnings (loss)
(265,152
27,693
(257,920
(294,007
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
422
(204
5
(743
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Kirby
(264,730
27,489
(257,915
(294,750
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders:
Basic
(4.41
0.46
(4.30
(4.92
Diluted
2
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Pension and postretirement benefits
3,142
(4,279
7,494
(6,674
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(122
(239
(705
(1,162
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
3,020
(4,518
6,789
(7,836
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
(262,132
23,175
(251,131
(301,843
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Kirby
(261,710
22,971
(251,126
(302,586
3
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operations:
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes
(56,448
5,382
Amortization of unearned share-based compensation
12,793
12,066
Amortization of major maintenance costs
26,189
21,857
(6,290
3,523
Increase (decrease) in cash flows resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
57,841
(115,399
Net cash provided by operating activities
280,362
359,763
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
(71,968
(129,371
Acquisitions of businesses and marine equipment
(7,470
(348,772
Proceeds from disposition of assets
39,163
6,538
Net cash used in investing activities
(40,275
(471,605
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings (payments) on bank credit facilities, net
(248,057
360,139
Payments on long-term debt
(15,000
(150,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
629
353
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation
(2,856
(3,193
Return of investment to noncontrolling interest
(764
(608
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(266,048
206,691
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(25,961
94,849
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
24,737
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
119,586
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) during the period:
Interest paid
39,134
45,776
Income taxes refunded, net
(116,010
(36,499
Operating cash outflow from operating leases
33,575
32,507
Non-cash investing activity:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable
(13,549
11,441
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations
18,117
42,470
4
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accumulated
Additional
Paid-in-
Comprehensive
Retained
Treasury Stock
Noncontrolling
Shares
Amount
Capital
Income, Net
Earnings
Interests
Total
(in thousands)
Balance at June 30, 2021
65,472
848,081
(57,683
2,600,208
(5,366
(295,463
3,639
3,105,329
Stock option exercises
(9
133
124
Issuance of stock for equity awards, net of forfeitures
(130
130
Tax withholdings on equity award vesting
(3
3,645
Total comprehensive loss, net of taxes
(422
Return of investment to noncontrolling interests
(739
Balance at September 30, 2021
(5,361
Balance at June 30, 2020
838,874
(41,117
2,543,700
(5,434
(299,124
3,104
3,051,984
(13
(2
3,414
Total comprehensive income, net of taxes
204
Balance at September 30, 2020
842,301
(45,635
2,571,189
(299,139
3,078,367
Balance at December 31, 2020
21
12
608
(6,206
113
6,206
(52
(5
Balance at December 31, 2019
835,899
(37,799
2,865,939
(5,513
(301,963
2,969
3,371,592
26
15
327
(5,690
103
5,690
(39
743
6
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Unaudited)
(1) Basis for Preparation of the Condensed Financial Statements
The condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared by Kirby Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and footnote disclosures, including significant accounting policies normally included in annual financial statements, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Certain reclassifications have been made to reflect the current presentation of financial information.
Accounting Standard Adoption
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”) which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, Income Taxes. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2021. There was no material impact on the Company’s financial statements or disclosures upon adoption of ASU 2019-12.
(2) Acquisition
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company purchased four inland tank barges from a leasing company for $7,470,000 in cash. The Company had been leasing the barges prior to the purchase.
(3) Revenues
The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues by major source (in thousands):
Marine transportation segment:
Inland transportation
255,791
247,647
733,830
869,224
Coastal transportation
82,723
72,955
238,522
235,622
Distribution and services segment:
Commercial and industrial
153,056
127,224
426,930
418,763
Oil and gas
107,350
48,741
256,112
158,043
Contract liabilities represent advance consideration received from customers, and are recognized as revenue over time as the related performance obligation is satisfied. Revenues recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 that were included in the opening contract liability balances were $40,315,000 and $37,153,000, respectively. The Company presents all contract liabilities within the deferred revenues financial statement caption on the balance sheets. The Company did not have any contract assets at September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020. The Company applies the practical expedient that allows non-disclosure of information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.
(4) Segment Data
The Company’s operations are aggregated into two reportable business segments as follows:
Marine Transportation — Provides marine transportation by United States flagged vessels principally of liquid cargoes throughout the United States inland waterway system, along all three United States coasts, in Alaska and Hawaii and, to a lesser extent, in United States coastal transportation of dry-bulk cargoes. The principal products transported include petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals.
7
Distribution and Services — Provides after-market services and parts for engines, transmissions, reduction gears and related equipment used in oilfield service, marine, power generation, on-highway, and other industrial applications. The Company also rents equipment including generators, industrial compressors, railcar movers, and high capacity lift trucks for use in a variety of industrial markets, and manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, for land-based oilfield service customers.
The Company’s two reportable business segments are managed separately based on fundamental differences in their operations. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on the contributions to operating income of the respective segments, before income taxes, interest, gains or losses on disposition of assets, other nonoperating income, noncontrolling interests, accounting changes, and nonrecurring items. Intersegment revenues, based on market-based pricing, of the distribution and services segment from the marine transportation segment of $5,436,000 and $17,593,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and $6,768,000 and $23,115,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as well as the related intersegment profit of $543,000 and $1,759,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and $676,000 and $2,311,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, have been eliminated from the tables below.
The following tables set forth the Company’s revenues and profit or loss by reportable segment and total assets (in thousands):
Segment profit (loss):
16,915
32,391
37,333
134,482
11,039
1,104
20,106
(9,325
(353,548
(14,221
(371,199
(601,821
Total assets:
4,320,452
4,760,449
857,132
805,831
212,298
357,894
The following table presents the details of “Other” segment loss (in thousands):
General corporate expenses
(4,997
(3,268
(11,542
(9,403
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets
830
(316
5,082
(340,713
(561,274
The following table presents the details of “Other” total assets (in thousands):
General corporate assets
210,311
355,205
Investment in affiliates
1,987
2,689
8
(5) Long-Term Debt
The following table presents the carrying value and fair value (determined using inputs characteristic of a Level 2 fair value measurement) of debt outstanding (in thousands):
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Revolving Credit Facility due March 27, 2024 (a)
250,000
Term Loan due March 27, 2024 (a)
360,000
375,000
3.29% senior notes due February 27, 2023
350,000
357,848
364,538
4.2% senior notes due March 1, 2028
500,000
548,893
581,115
Credit line due June 30, 2022
1,211,983
1,268,724
1,475,040
1,570,693
Unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs (b)
(3,807
(6,454
1,208,176
1,468,586
The following table presents borrowings and payments under the bank credit facilities (in thousands):
Borrowings on bank credit facilities
4,795
582,212
Payments on bank credit facilities
(252,852
(222,073
The Company has an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a group of commercial banks, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the administrative agent bank, allowing for an $850,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) and an unsecured term loan (“Term Loan”) with a maturity date of March 27, 2024. The Term Loan is due on March 27, 2024 and is prepayable, in whole or in part, without penalty. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company repaid $15,000,000 under the Term Loan. During October 2021, the Company repaid $20,000,000 under the Term Loan. Outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility were $5,063,000 and available borrowing capacity was $844,937,000 as of September 30, 2021. Outstanding letters of credit under the $10,000,000 credit line were $1,299,000 and available borrowing capacity was $8,701,000 as of September 30, 2021.
(6) Leases
The Company currently leases various facilities and equipment under cancelable and noncancelable operating leases. The accounting for the Company’s leases may require judgments, which include determining whether a contract contains a lease, allocating between lease and non-lease components, and determining the incremental borrowing rates. Leases with an initial noncancelable term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has also elected to combine lease and non-lease components on all classes of leased assets, except for leased towing vessels, for which the Company estimates approximately 70% of the costs relate to service costs and other non-lease components. Variable lease costs relate primarily to real estate executory costs (i.e. taxes, insurance and maintenance).
9
Future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year were as follows (in thousands):
10,258
40,224
2022
37,765
33,543
2023
32,566
28,012
2024
25,804
23,578
2025
22,394
21,261
Thereafter
100,946
96,491
Total lease payments
229,733
243,109
Less: imputed interest
(44,305
(46,863
Operating lease liabilities
185,428
196,246
The following table summarizes lease costs (in thousands):
Operating lease cost
10,361
11,553
31,433
32,467
Variable lease cost
467
485
1,382
1,081
Short-term lease cost
3,534
4,645
10,602
17,998
Sublease income
(217
(418
(797
(792
14,145
16,265
42,620
50,754
The following table summarizes other supplemental information about the Company’s operating leases:
Weighted average discount rate
4.0
%
4.1
Weighted average remaining lease term
9 years
10 years
(7) Impairments and Other Charges
During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company decided to exit the Hawaii market, selling marine transportation equipment including four coastal tank barges, seven coastal tugboats, and certain other assets for aggregate cash proceeds of $17,200,000. In addition, as of September 30, 2021, the Company has retired and classified as held for sale, an additional 12 coastal tank barges and four coastal tugboats which were underutilized. The sales and retirements of coastal marine transportation equipment resulted in an aggregate non‑cash impairment charge of $97,508,000 to reduce the carrying value of these assets to their estimated sales prices, net of costs to sell.
As a result of the sale of the Hawaii marine transportation equipment, and the decision to retire certain additional underutilized coastal tank barges and tugboats, the Company concluded that a triggering event had occurred and performed interim quantitative impairment tests as of September 30, 2021 for certain of the marine transportation segment's long-lived assets and goodwill within the coastal marine market.
The Company determined the estimated fair value of such long-lived assets using a combination of a cost approach, a discounted cash flow analysis, and a market approach. The Company determined the estimated fair value of the reporting unit using a combination of a discounted cash flow analysis and a market approach for comparable companies. These analyses included management’s judgment regarding short-term and long-term internal forecasts, updated for recent events, appropriate discount rates, and capital expenditures using inputs characteristic of a Level 3 fair value measurement.
In performing the impairment test of certain long-lived assets within the marine transportation segment, the Company determined that the carrying value of certain long-lived assets, including certain coastal marine transportation equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets, were no longer recoverable, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $24,152,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2021 to reduce such long-lived assets to fair value.
10
Based upon the results of the goodwill impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying value of one reporting unit in the marine transportation segment exceeded its estimated fair value. The carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, and after recording impairments of long-lived assets identified above, exceeded its estimated fair value, resulting in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $219,052,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2021.
The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill during 2021 (in thousands):
Marine Transportation
Distribution and Services
Balance at December 31, 2020 (gross)
505,784
560,155
1,065,939
Accumulated impairment and amortization
(18,574
(389,565
(408,139
487,210
170,590
Impairment
(219,052
(237,626
(627,191
268,158
During the first quarter of 2020, Kirby’s market capitalization declined significantly compared to the 2019 fourth quarter. Over the same period, the overall United States stock market also declined significantly amid market volatility. In addition, as a result of uncertainty surrounding the outbreak of COVID-19 and a sharp decline in oil prices during the 2020 first quarter, many of the Company’s oil and gas customers responded by quickly cutting 2020 capital spending budgets and activity levels quickly declined. Lower activity levels resulted in a decline in drilling activity, resulting in lower demand for new and remanufactured oilfield equipment and related parts and service in the distribution and services segment. As a result, the Company concluded that a triggering event had occurred and performed interim quantitative impairment tests as of March 31, 2020 for certain of the distribution and services segment’s long-lived assets and goodwill.
In performing the impairment test of long-lived assets within the distribution and services segment, the Company determined that the carrying value of certain long-lived assets, including property and equipment as well as intangible assets associated with customer relationships, tradenames, and distributorships, were no longer recoverable, resulting in an impairment charge of $165,304,000 (including $148,909,000 impairment of intangible assets other than goodwill and $16,395,000 impairment of property and equipment) to reduce such long-lived assets to fair value during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Based upon the results of the goodwill impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying value of one reporting unit in the distribution and services segment exceeded its estimated fair value. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the goodwill impairment charge of $387,970,000 was calculated as the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, and after recording impairments of long-lived assets identified above, exceeded its estimated fair value, incorporating all tax impacts caused by the recognition of the impairment loss.
In addition, the Company determined cost exceeded net realizable value for certain oilfield and pressure pumping related inventory, resulting in an $8,000,000 non-cash write-down during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
(8) Stock Award Plans
The compensation cost that has been charged against earnings for the Company’s stock award plans and the income tax benefit recognized in the statement of earnings for stock awards were as follows (in thousands):
Compensation cost
Income tax benefit
1,068
1,181
3,660
3,332
On March 1, 2021, subject to stockholder approval, the Board of Directors approved amendments to the Company’s 2005 Stock and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to, among other things, add 1,400,000 shares of availability. The amendment to the Plan was subsequently approved at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 27, 2021. At September 30, 2021, there were 2,228,857 shares available for future grants under the Plan.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company granted 311,016 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to selected officers and other key employees under the Plan, the majority of which vest ratably over five years.
11
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company granted 29,773 shares of restricted stock to nonemployee directors of the Company under the director stock award plan. The restricted stock vests six months after the date of grant except that restricted stock granted in lieu of cash director fees vests in equal quarterly increments through March 31, 2022.
(9) Taxes on Income
On March 27, 2020, the United States Congress passed and the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) into law to address the COVID-19 pandemic. One provision of the CARES Act allowed net operating losses generated in 2018 through 2020 to be carried back up to five years. Pursuant to this provision of the CARES Act, the Company recorded a net federal current benefit for taxes on income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 due to carrying back net operating losses generated between 2018 and 2020 used to offset taxable income generated between 2013 and 2017. Net operating losses carried back to tax years 2013 through 2017 were applied at a federal tax rate of 35% applicable to those tax years, compared to a 21% tax rate effective at September 30, 2020. Net operating losses generated in 2018 and 2019 were used to offset taxable income generated between 2013 and 2017 taxed at 35% resulting in a tax benefit of $58,746,000.
At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had a federal income tax receivable of $70,959,000 and $188,177,000, respectively, included in Accounts Receivable – Other on the balance sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company received a tax refund of $119,493,000, including accrued interest, for its 2019 federal tax return related to net operating losses being carried back to offset taxable income generated between 2014 and 2017.
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income and details of the provision (benefit) for taxes on income were as follows (in thousands):
Earnings (loss) before taxes on income:
United States
(325,369
19,246
(313,177
(476,382
Foreign
(225
28
(583
(282
Provision (benefit) for taxes on income:
Federal:
Current
(446
(33,690
(189,994
Deferred
(55,772
23,350
(52,968
16,056
State and local:
832
1,257
1,047
1,875
(5,056
620
(3,480
(10,674
Foreign - current
44
80
(60,442
(8,419
(55,840
(182,657
(10) Earnings Per Share
The following table presents the components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Undistributed earnings allocated to restricted shares
(57
Earnings (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders – basic
27,432
57
Undistributed earnings reallocated to restricted shares
Earnings (loss) available to Kirby common stockholders – diluted
Shares outstanding:
Weighted average common stock issued and outstanding
60,109
60,038
60,095
60,015
Weighted average unvested restricted stock
(47
(123
(51
(112
Weighted average common stock outstanding – basic
60,062
59,915
60,044
59,903
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units
16
Weighted average common stock outstanding – diluted
59,931
Certain outstanding options to purchase approximately 627,000 and 681,000 shares of common stock were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as such stock options would have been antidilutive. Certain outstanding RSUs to convert to 565,000 and 162,000 shares of common stock were also excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as such RSUs would have been antidilutive.
(11) Inventories
The following table presents the details of inventories – net (in thousands):
Finished goods
253,963
255,491
Work in process
54,857
54,184
(12) Retirement Plans
The Company sponsors a defined benefit plan for certain of its inland vessel personnel and shore based tankermen. The plan benefits are based on an employee’s years of service and compensation. The plan assets consist primarily of equity and fixed income securities.
On April 12, 2017, the Company amended its pension plan to cease all benefit accruals for periods after May 31, 2017 for certain participants. Participants grandfathered and not impacted were those, as of the close of business on May 31, 2017, who either (a) had completed 15 years of pension service or (b) had attained age 50 and completed 10 years of pension service. Participants non-grandfathered are eligible to receive discretionary 401(k) plan contributions.
The Company’s pension plan funding strategy is to make annual contributions in amounts equal to or greater than amounts necessary to meet minimum government funding requirements. The plan’s benefit obligations are based on a variety of demographic and economic assumptions, and the pension plan assets’ returns are subject to various risks, including market and interest rate risk, making an accurate prediction of the pension plan contribution difficult. Based on current pension plan assets and market conditions, the Company does not expect to make a contribution to the Kirby pension plan during 2021.
On February 14, 2018, with the acquisition of Higman Marine, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Higman”), the Company assumed Higman’s pension plan for its inland vessel personnel and office staff. On March 27, 2018, the Company amended the Higman pension plan to close it to all new entrants and cease all benefit accruals for periods after May 15, 2018 for all participants. The Company made a contribution of $479,000 to the Higman pension plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The Company does not expect to make any additional contributions during 2021.
The Company sponsors an unfunded defined benefit health care plan that provides limited postretirement medical benefits to employees who meet minimum age and service requirements, and to eligible dependents. The plan limits cost increases in the Company’s contribution to 4% per year. The plan is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted annually. The plan eliminated coverage for future retirees as of December 31, 2011. The Company also has an unfunded defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) that was assumed in an acquisition in 1999. That plan ceased to accrue additional benefits effective January 1, 2000.
The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s defined benefit plans were as follows (in thousands):
Pension Benefits
Pension Plans
SERP
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost
1,991
1,917
Interest cost
3,560
3,919
Expected return on plan assets
(6,566
(5,960
Amortization of actuarial loss
1,412
994
Net periodic benefit cost
397
870
18
5,971
5,753
10,679
11,758
23
30
(19,699
(17,883
3,300
1,651
251
1,279
53
56
The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s postretirement benefit plan were as follows (in thousands):
Other Postretirement Benefits
Postretirement Welfare Plan
17
Amortization of actuarial gain
(113
(131
(338
(392
(108
(125
(325
(375
14
(13) Other Comprehensive Income
The Company’s changes in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands):
GrossAmount
Income Tax Provision
Net Amount
Income Tax (Provision) Benefit
NetAmount
Pension and postretirement benefits (a):
Amortization of net actuarial loss
1,309
(329
980
871
(219
652
Actuarial gains (losses)
2,891
(729
2,162
(6,592
1,661
(4,931
Foreign currency translation
4,078
(1,058
1,442
2,992
(753
2,239
1,285
(324
961
7,019
(1,764
5,255
(10,201
2,566
(7,635
9,306
(2,517
(10,078
2,242
(a)Actuarial gains (losses) are amortized into other income (expense). (See Note 12, Retirement Plans)
(14) Contingencies and Commitments
On May 10, 2019, two tank barges and a towboat, the M/V Voyager, owned and operated by Kirby Inland Marine, LP (“Kirby Inland Marine”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, were struck by the LPG tanker, the Genesis River, in the Houston Ship Channel. The bow of the Genesis River penetrated the Kirby 30015T and capsized the MMI 3014. The collision penetrated the hull of the Kirby 30015T causing its cargo, reformate, to be discharged into the water. The United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) and the National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) designated the owner and pilot of the Genesis River as well as the subsidiary of the Company as parties of interest in their investigation into the cause of the incident. On June 19, 2019, the Company filed a limitation action in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas ‑ Galveston Division seeking limitation of liability and asserting that the Genesis River and her owner/manager are at fault for damages including removal costs and claims under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and maritime law. Multiple claimants have filed claims in the limitation seeking damages under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The court bifurcated the matter into two trials, the first to determine liability amongst the parties and the second to assess damages. The Company entered into a settlement agreement resolving claims of natural resource damage arising out of the spill. Under the agreement, the Company agreed to pay state and federal natural resource trustees $2,102,000. The liability trial was conducted during the week of February 2, 2021. The Court issued its decision on July 8, 2021, finding that the Genesis River was solely at fault and no liability on the part of Kirby Inland Marine. No appeal was filed by the Genesis River. The Company and its insurance carriers are collecting the $20,206,000 judgment from the Genesis River and its interests.
On October 13, 2016, the tug Nathan E. Stewart and barge DBL 55, an articulated tank barge and tugboat unit (“ATB”) owned and operated by Kirby Offshore Marine, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, ran aground at the entrance to Seaforth Channel on Atholone Island, British Columbia. The grounding resulted in a breach of a portion of the Nathan E. Stewart’s fuel tanks causing a discharge of diesel fuel into the water. The USCG and the NTSB designated the Company as a party of interest in their investigation as to the cause of the incident. The Canadian authorities including Transport Canada and the Canadian Transportation Safety Board investigated the cause of the incident. On October 10, 2018, the Heiltsuk First Nation filed a civil action in the British Columbia Supreme Court against a subsidiary of the Company, the master and pilot of the tug, the vessels and the Canadian government seeking unquantified damages as a result of the incident. On May 1, 2019, the Company filed a limitation action in the Federal Court of Canada seeking limitation of liability relating to the incident as provided under admiralty law. The Heiltsuk First Nation’s civil claim has been consolidated into the Federal Court limitation action as of July 26, 2019 and it is expected that the Federal Court of Canada will decide all claims against the Company. The Company is unable to estimate the potential exposure in the civil proceeding. The Company has various insurance policies covering liabilities including pollution, property, marine and general liability and believes that it has satisfactory insurance coverage for the cost of cleanup and salvage operations as well as other potential liabilities arising from the incident. The Company believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate for the incident and does not expect the incident to have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition.
On March 22, 2014, two tank barges and a towboat, the M/V Miss Susan, owned by Kirby Inland Marine, were involved in a collision with the M/S Summer Wind on the Houston Ship Channel near Texas City, Texas. The lead tank barge was damaged in the collision resulting in a discharge of intermediate fuel oil from one of its cargo tanks. The Company is participating in the natural resource damage assessment and restoration process with federal and state government natural resource trustees. The Company believes it has adequate insurance coverage for pollution, marine and other potential liabilities arising from the incident. The Company believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate for the incident and does not expect the incident to have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition.
In addition, the Company is involved in various legal and other proceedings which are incidental to the conduct of its business, none of which in the opinion of management will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Management believes its accrual of such estimated liability is adequate and believes that it has adequate insurance coverage or has meritorious defenses for these other claims and contingencies.
The Company has issued guaranties or obtained standby letters of credit and performance bonds supporting performance by the Company and its subsidiaries of contractual or contingent legal obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business. The aggregate notional value of these instruments is $21,199,000 at September 30, 2021, including $13,847,000 in letters of credit and $7,352,000 in performance bonds. All of these instruments have an expiration date within two years. The Company does not believe demand for payment under these instruments is likely and expects no material cash outlays to occur regarding these instruments.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Statements contained in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts, including, but not limited to, any projections contained herein, are forward-looking statements and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. The actual results of the future events described in such forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q could differ materially from those stated in such forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are: adverse economic conditions, industry competition and other competitive factors, adverse weather conditions such as high water, low water, tropical storms, hurricanes, tsunamis, fog and ice, tornados, COVID-19 or other pandemics, marine accidents, lock delays, fuel costs, interest rates, construction of new equipment by competitors, government and environmental laws and regulations, and the timing, magnitude and number of acquisitions made by the Company. For a more detailed discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ from those presented in forward-looking statements, see Item 1A-Risk Factors found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such statements.
For purposes of Management’s Discussion, all net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders are “diluted earnings (loss) per share.” The weighted average number of common shares applicable to diluted earnings (loss) per share were as follows (in thousands):
Weighted average number of common stock - diluted
Overview
The Company is the nation’s largest domestic tank barge operator, transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along all three United States coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii. The Company transports petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals by tank barge. Through its distribution and services segment, the Company provides after-market service and parts for engines, transmissions, reduction gears and related equipment used in oilfield services, marine, power generation, on-highway, and other industrial applications. The Company also rents equipment including generators, industrial compressors, railcar movers, and high capacity lift trucks for use in a variety of industrial markets, and manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, for land-based oilfield service customers.
The following table summarizes key operating results of the Company (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Kirby common stockholders – diluted
71,968
129,371
The 2021 third quarter included $340,713,000 before taxes, $275,068,000 after taxes, or $4.58 per share, non-cash charges related to impairment of long-lived assets related to coastal marine transportation equipment and impairment of goodwill in the marine transportation segment. See Note 7, Impairments and Other Charges in the financial statements for additional information.
The 2020 first quarter included $561,274,000 before taxes, $433,341,000 after taxes, or $7.24 per share, non-cash charges related to inventory write-downs, impairment of long-lived assets, including intangible assets and property and equipment, and impairment of goodwill in the distribution and services segment. See Note 7, Impairments and Other Charges in the financial statements for additional information. In addition, the 2020 first quarter was favorably impacted by an income tax benefit of $50,824,000, or $0.85 per share related to net operating losses generated in 2018 and 2019 used to offset taxable income generated between 2013 and 2017. See Note 9, Taxes on Income in the financial statements for additional information.
Cash provided by operating activities for the 2021 first nine months decreased primarily due to lower revenues and operating income in the marine transportation segment, partially offset by the receipt of a tax refund of $119,493,000, including accrued interest, for the Company’s 2019 federal tax return. For the 2021 first nine months, capital expenditures of $71,968,000 included $61,565,000 in the marine transportation segment and $10,403,000 in the distribution and services segment and corporate, more fully described under cash flow and capital expenditures below.
The Company projects that capital expenditures for 2021 will be in the $120,000,000 to $130,000,000 range. The 2021 construction program will consist of approximately $10,000,000 for the construction of new inland towboats, $95,000,000 to $100,000,000 primarily for capital upgrades and improvements to existing marine equipment and facilities, and $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 for new machinery and equipment, facilities improvements, and information technology projects in the distribution and services segment and corporate.
The Company’s debt-to-capitalization ratio decreased to 29.8% at September 30, 2021 from 32.2% at December 31, 2020, primarily due to repayments under the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan in the 2021 first nine months, partially offset by a decrease in total equity, primarily due to the net loss attributable to Kirby of $257,915,000. The Company’s debt outstanding as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is detailed in Long-Term Financing below.
For the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, the Company’s marine transportation segment generated 57% and 59%, respectively, of the Company’s revenues. The segment’s customers include many of the major petrochemical and refining companies that operate in the United States. Products transported include intermediate materials used to produce many of the end products used widely by businesses and consumers — plastics, fiber, paints, detergents, oil additives and paper, among others, as well as residual fuel oil, ship bunkers, asphalt, gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, crude oil, natural gas condensate, and agricultural chemicals. Consequently, the Company’s marine transportation business is directly affected by the volumes produced by the Company’s petroleum, petrochemical and refining customer base.
The following table summarizes the Company’s marine transportation fleet:
September 30,
Inland tank barges:
Owned
993
1,032
Leased
43
52
1,036
1,084
Barrel capacity (in millions)
23.2
24.5
Active inland towboats (quarter average):
213
229
Chartered
36
243
265
Coastal tank barges:
45
35
47
3.4
4.3
Coastal tugboats:
Offshore dry-bulk cargo barges (owned)
Offshore tugboats and docking tugboat (owned and chartered)
The Company also owns shifting operations and fleeting facilities for dry cargo barges and tank barges on the Houston Ship Channel and in Freeport and Port Arthur, Texas, and Lake Charles, Louisiana, and a shipyard for building towboats and performing routine maintenance near the Houston Ship Channel, as well as a two-thirds interest in Osprey Line, L.L.C., which transports project cargoes and cargo containers by barge.
During the 2021 first nine months, the Company retired 26 inland tank barges and returned four leased barges. The net result was a decrease of 30 inland tank barges and approximately 907,000 barrels of capacity.
The Company’s marine transportation segment’s revenues for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 6% and decreased 12%, respectively, and operating income decreased 48% and 72%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months revenues and operating income. The increase in revenues for the 2021 third quarter was primarily due to increased fuel rebills in the inland and coastal markets and increased tank barge utilization in the inland market. The decreases for the 2021 first nine months were primarily due to reduced barge utilization in the inland and coastal markets as well as reduced term and spot pricing in the inland market when compared to 2020. The decreases were partially offset by the addition of the Savage Inland Marine, LLC (“Savage”) fleet acquired on April 1, 2020. The 2021 third quarter benefited from improving business activity and inland market barge utilization which were largely offset by reduced term pricing when compared to the 2020 third quarter. 2021 third quarter revenues and operating income were also impacted by Hurricane Ida which shuttered almost the entire Southeast Louisiana refinery and chemical complex and key waterways for an extended period of time. The 2021 first nine months was also heavily impacted by Winter Storm Uri during the first quarter which shut down many Gulf Coast refineries and chemical plants for an extended period of time starting in mid-February. These emergency shutdowns resulted in significantly reduced liquids production and lower volumes for the Company’s inland marine transportation market during the 2021 first quarter. The 2021 and 2020 first quarters were also impacted by poor operating conditions including seasonal wind and fog along the Gulf Coast, flooding on the Mississippi River, and various lock closures along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, in addition to ice on the Illinois River during the 2021 first quarter and increased shipyard days on large capacity coastal vessels during the 2020 first quarter. For the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, the inland tank barge fleet contributed 76% and 75%, respectively, and the coastal fleet contributed 24% and 25%, respectively, of marine transportation revenues. For the 2020 third quarter and first nine months, the inland tank barge fleet contributed 77% and 79%, respectively, and the coastal fleet contributed 23% and 21%, respectively, of marine transportation revenues.
Inland tank barge utilization levels averaged in the mid-70% range during the 2021 first quarter, the low to mid-80% range during the 2021 second quarter, and the low 80% range during the 2021 third quarter. In 2020, inland tank barge utilization levels averaged in the low to mid-90% range during the 2020 first quarter, the mid-80% range during the 2020 second quarter, and the low 70% range during the 2020 third quarter. The 2021 first nine months and the 2020 second and third quarters were impacted by reduced demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic slowdown. The 2021 second quarter was favorably impacted by the Colonial Pipeline outage in May. The 2021 first nine months was also impacted by reduced volumes as a result of Winter Storm Uri during the first quarter. The 2020 first quarter experienced strong demand from petrochemicals, black oil, and refined petroleum products customers. In addition, extensive delay days due to poor operating conditions and lock maintenance projects in the 2020 first quarter slowed the transport of customer cargoes and contributed to strong utilization.
Coastal tank barge utilization levels averaged in the mid-70% range during the 2021 first and third quarters and the low to mid‑70% range during the 2021 second quarter. Coastal tank barge utilization levels averaged in the low to mid-80% range during the 2020 first quarter and the mid-70% range during the 2020 second and third quarters. The 2021 first nine months and the 2020 second and third quarters were impacted by reduced demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic slowdown. Barge utilization in the coastal marine fleet continued to be impacted by the oversupply of tank barges in the coastal industry in 2021 and 2020.
During both the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, approximately 65% of marine transportation’s inland revenues were under term contracts and 35% were spot contract revenues. During the 2020 third quarter and first nine months, approximately 70% and 65%, respectively, of marine transportation’s inland revenues were under term contracts and 30% and 35%, respectively, were spot contract revenues. Inland time charters during the 2021 third quarter and first nine months represented 56% and 58%, respectively, of the inland revenues under term contracts compared with 67% in both the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. During both the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, approximately 80% of the coastal revenues were under term contracts and 20% were spot contract revenues. During both the 2020 third quarter and first nine months, approximately 85% of coastal revenues were under term contracts, and 15% were under spot contract revenues. Coastal time charters represented approximately 85% of coastal revenues under term contracts during both the 2021 third quarter and first nine months compared with approximately 90% during both the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. Term contracts have contract terms of 12 months or longer, while spot contracts have contract terms of less than 12 months.
19
The following table summarizes the average range of pricing changes in term and spot contracts renewed during 2021 compared to contracts renewed during the corresponding quarter of 2020:
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021
June 30, 2021
Inland market:
Term decrease
(7)% – (9)%
(6)% – (8)%
(2)% – (4)%
Spot decrease
(25)% – (30)%
(10)% – (15)%
No change
Coastal market (a):
Term increase (decrease)
Spot increase (decrease)
Effective January 1, 2021, annual escalators for labor and the producer price index on a number of inland multi-year contracts resulted in rate increases on those contracts of approximately 3%, excluding fuel.
The marine transportation segment operating margin was 5.0% for the 2021 third quarter compared with 10.1% for the 2020 third quarter and 3.8% for the 2021 first nine months compared to 12.2% for the 2020 first nine months.
The Company, through its distribution and services segment, sells genuine replacement parts, provides service mechanics to overhaul and repair engines, transmissions, reduction gears and related oilfield services equipment, rebuilds component parts or entire diesel engines, transmissions and reduction gears and related equipment used in oilfield services, marine, power generation, on-highway and other industrial applications. The Company also rents equipment including generators, industrial compressors, railcar movers, and high capacity lift trucks for use in a variety of industrial markets, and manufactures and remanufactures oilfield service equipment, including pressure pumping units, for land-based oilfield service customers.
For the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, the distribution and services segment generated 43% and 41%, respectively, of the Company’s revenues, of which 87% and 86%, respectively, was generated from service and parts and 13% and 14%, respectively, from manufacturing. The results of the distribution and services segment are largely influenced by the economic cycles of the oilfield service and oil and gas operator and producer markets, marine, power generation, on-highway, and other industrial markets.
Distribution and services revenues for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 48% and 18%, respectively, and operating income increased 900% and 316%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months revenues and operating income. In the commercial and industrial market, the increases in the 2021 third quarter and first nine months compared to the 2020 third quarter and first nine months were primarily attributable to improved economic activity across the U.S. which resulted in higher business levels in the power generation and on-highway businesses. Increased product sales in Thermo King also contributed favorably to the 2021 third quarter and first nine months results. The marine repair business was down slightly compared to the 2020 third quarter and first nine months due to reduced service activity. The commercial and industrial market 2021 first nine months was impacted by Winter Storm Uri with reduced activity levels at many locations across the Southern U.S. during the first quarter. For the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, the commercial and industrial market contributed 59% and 63%, respectively, of the distribution and services revenues.
In the oil and gas market, revenues improved compared to the 2020 third quarter and first nine months due to higher oilfield activity which resulted in increased demand for new and overhauled engines, transmissions, parts, and service. The manufacturing business also experienced increases in orders and deliveries of new and remanufactured pressure pumping equipment as well as power generation equipment for electric fracturing. For the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, the oil and gas market contributed 41% and 37%, respectively, of the distribution and services revenues.
The distribution and services segment operating margin for the 2021 third quarter was 4.2% compared with 0.6% for the 2020 third quarter and 2.9% for the 2021 first nine months compared to (1.6)% for the 2020 first nine months. The 2020 first nine months results were adversely impacted by the bankruptcy of a large oil and gas customer, resulting in a $3,339,000 bad debt expense charge and severance expenses of $1,354,000 as a result of workforce reductions.
20
Outlook
Although the COVID-19 delta variant in the U.S. and around the world has created some uncertainty which has slowed the pace of the economic recovery, the Company expects further growth in marine transportation during the 2021 fourth quarter. Supply chain and labor constraints and delays of key components, particularly in distribution and services, could defer some product sales and manufacturing deliveries into 2022 resulting in modest declines in revenue in distribution and services during the 2021 fourth quarter.
In the inland marine transportation market, barge utilization in October improved into the high 80% range and is expected to remain strong for the duration of the fourth quarter as Louisiana refinery and petrochemical plants restart and customers boost production levels to meet pend-up demand. While ongoing navigational issues in the wake of Hurricane Ida, which have resulted in extended closures of key waterways and contributed to some increases in barge utilization, should subside, the onset of seasonal winter weather and continued economic growth should result in improved barge utilization. Overall, increased inland activity levels should yield further improvements in the spot market, which currently represents approximately 35% of inland revenue, and contribute to improved revenues and operating margins. During the fourth quarter and into 2022, term contracts that renewed lower over the past year should reset to reflect the improved market conditions. Overall, inland revenues are expected to increase in the 2021 fourth quarter with operating margins around 10%.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company estimated there were approximately 4,000 inland tank barges in the industry fleet, of which approximately 350 were over 30 years old and approximately 285 of those over 40 years old. The Company estimates that approximately 60 to 75 new tank barges have been ordered for delivery in 2021 and many older tank barges, including an expected 28 by the Company, will be retired, dependent on 2021 market conditions. Historically, 75 to 150 older inland tank barges are retired from service each year industry-wide. The extent of the retirements is dependent on petrochemical and refinery production levels, and crude oil and natural gas condensate movements, both of which can have a direct effect on industry-wide tank barge utilization, as well as term and spot contract rates.
In the coastal marine transportation market, market conditions are expected to modestly improve in the 2021 fourth quarter. Combined with the recent sale of the Hawaiian marine equipment and the retirement of underutilized barges, coastal barge utilization is expected to be near 90% in the fourth quarter. Although the Hawaii equipment has been sold, the Company has chartered and will continue to operate the assets until existing customer contracts expire at the end of 2021. Elsewhere in the coastal market, planned shipyard activity on several large capacity barges will likely result in an overall sequential revenue reduction in the mid-single digits during the fourth quarter with operating margins at or slightly below breakeven.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company estimated there were approximately 270 tank barges operating in the 195,000 barrels or less coastal industry fleet, the sector of the market in which the Company operates, and approximately 20 of those were over 25 years old. The Company is aware of one announced small specialized coastal ATB in the 195,000 barrels or less category that was delivered in the 2021 first quarter with no further coastal barges currently under construction.
The results of the distribution and services segment are largely influenced by the cycles of the land-based oilfield service and oil and gas operator and producer markets, marine, power generation, on-highway and other industrial markets. Seasonality in the commercial and industrial market, including reduced marine repair activity, lower demand for Thermo King refrigeration parts and service, and reduced utilization of the power generation rental fleet, are all expected to contribute to sequential reductions in revenue and operating income in the 2021 fourth quarter.
In the distribution and services oil and gas market, strong commodity prices and oilfield activity levels are expected to yield robust demand for new transmissions, service, and parts for the duration of the year. In manufacturing, activity is also expected to remain strong driven by an increasing backlog of environmentally friendly pressure pumping equipment, frac related power generation equipment, and remanufacturing of existing conventional equipment. However, increasing original equipment manufacturer supply chain issues are expected to delay some sales into 2022 and result in a sequential reduction in oil and gas revenues and operating margins. Overall, compared to the 2021 third quarter, distribution and services revenues are expected to decline modestly with operating margins in the low to mid-single digits.
While the Company's outlook is dependent on developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and related supply chain constraints, the Company has maintained business continuity and expects to continue to do so.
Acquisition
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company purchased four inland tank barges from a leasing company for $7,470,000 in cash. The Company had been leasing the barges prior to the purchase. Financing of the purchase was through cash provided by operating activities.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the Company’s marine transportation and distribution and services revenues and the percentage of each to total revenues for the comparable periods (dollars in thousands):
65
59
66
41
34
100
The following table sets forth the Company’s marine transportation segment’s revenues, costs and expenses, operating income, and operating margin (dollars in thousands):
% Change
Marine transportation revenues
(12
)%
237,233
207,038
681,317
717,923
29,464
26,554
88,314
85,294
8,422
7,307
23,828
27,852
(14
46,480
47,312
141,560
139,295
321,599
288,211
935,019
970,364
(4
Operating income
(48
(72
Operating margins
5.0
10.1
3.8
12.2
Marine Transportation Revenues
The following table shows the marine transportation markets serviced by the Company, the marine transportation revenue distribution, products moved and the drivers of the demand for the products the Company transports:
Markets Serviced
2021 Third Quarter Revenue Distribution
2021 Nine Months Revenue Distribution
Products Moved
Drivers
Petrochemicals
51%
50%
Benzene, Styrene, Methanol, Acrylonitrile, Xylene, Naphtha, Caustic Soda, Butadiene, Propylene
Consumer non-durables – 70%, Consumer durables – 30%
Black Oil
25%
26%
Residual Fuel Oil, Coker Feedstock, Vacuum Gas Oil, Asphalt, Carbon Black Feedstock, Crude Oil, Natural Gas Condensate, Ship Bunkers
Fuel for Power Plants and Ships, Feedstock for Refineries, Road Construction
Refined Petroleum Products
20%
Gasoline, No. 2 Oil, Jet Fuel, Heating Oil, Diesel Fuel, Ethanol
Vehicle Usage, Air Travel, Weather Conditions, Refinery Utilization
Agricultural Chemicals
4%
Anhydrous Ammonia, Nitrogen – Based Liquid Fertilizer, Industrial Ammonia
Corn, Cotton and Wheat Production, Chemical Feedstock Usage
22
The Company’s marine transportation segment’s revenues for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 6% and decreased 12%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months revenues. The increase for the 2021 third quarter was primarily due to increased fuel rebills in the inland and coastal markets and increased tank barge utilization in the inland market. The decrease for the 2021 first nine months was primarily due to reduced barge utilization in the inland and coastal markets as well as reduced term and spot pricing in the inland market when compared to 2020. The decrease was partially offset by the addition of the Savage fleet acquired on April 1, 2020. The 2021 third quarter benefited from improving business activity and inland market barge utilization which were largely offset by reduced term pricing when compared to the 2020 third quarter. 2021 third quarter revenues and operating income were also impacted by Hurricane Ida which shuttered almost the entire Southeast Louisiana refinery and chemical complex and key waterways for an extended period of time. The 2021 first nine months was also heavily impacted by Winter Storm Uri during the first quarter which shut down many Gulf Coast refineries and chemical plants for an extended period of time starting in mid-February. These emergency shutdowns resulted in significantly reduced liquids production and lower volumes for the Company’s inland marine transportation market during the 2021 first quarter. The 2021 and 2020 first quarters were also impacted by poor operating conditions including seasonal wind and fog along the Gulf Coast, flooding on the Mississippi River, and various lock closures along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, in addition to ice on the Illinois River during the 2021 first quarter and increased shipyard days on large capacity coastal vessels during the 2020 first quarter. For the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, the inland tank barge fleet contributed 76% and 75%, respectively, and the coastal fleet contributed 24% and 25%, respectively, of marine transportation revenues. For the 2020 third quarter and first nine months, the inland tank barge fleet contributed 77% and 79%, respectively, and the coastal fleet contributed 23% and 21%, respectively, of marine transportation revenues.
The petrochemical market, the Company’s largest market, contributed 51% and 50% of marine transportation revenues for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, respectively, reflecting reduced volumes from Gulf Coast petrochemical plants for both domestic consumption and to terminals for export destinations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2021 first quarter, as much as 80% of U.S. chemical plant capacity was offline at the peak of Winter Storm Uri, contributing to significantly reduced volumes and revenues; however, volumes and revenues sequentially improved in the 2021 second quarter as chemical plants resumed full operations by May. During the 2021 third quarter, volumes declined again as numerous Louisiana chemical plants were shut down for an extended period of time as a result of Hurricane Ida.
The black oil market, which contributed 25% and 26% of marine transportation revenues for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, respectively, reflected reduced demand as refinery production levels and the export of refined petroleum products and fuel oils declined as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2021 first quarter, U.S. refinery utilization dropped to near 40% during the peak of Winter Storm Uri, contributing to significantly reduced volumes and revenues. Although refinery utilization increased back to near 90% in the 2021 second quarter contributing to sequentially increased volumes and revenues, volumes declined again during the 2021 third quarter as Louisiana refineries were shut down for an extended period of time as a result of Hurricane Ida. During the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, the Company continued to transport crude oil and natural gas condensate produced from the Permian Basin as well as reduced volumes from the Eagle Ford shale formation in Texas, both along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway with inland vessels and in the Gulf of Mexico with coastal equipment. Additionally, the Company transported volumes of Utica natural gas condensate downriver from the Mid-Atlantic to the Gulf Coast and Canadian and Bakken crude downriver from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast.
The refined petroleum products market, which contributed 20% of marine transportation revenues for both the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, reflected lower volumes in both the inland and coastal markets as a result of reduced demand related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, during the 2021 first quarter, U.S. refinery utilization dropped to near 40% during the peak of Winter Storm Uri, contributing to significantly reduced volumes and revenues. Although refinery utilization increased back to near 90% in the 2021 second quarter contributing to sequentially increased volumes and revenues, volumes declined again during the 2021 third quarter as Louisiana refineries were shut down for an extended period of time as a result of Hurricane Ida.
The agricultural chemical market, which contributed 4% of marine transportation revenues for both the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, saw modest reductions in demand for transportation of both domestically produced and imported products, primarily due to reduced demand associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the 2021 third quarter, the inland operations incurred 1,499 delay days, 12% more than the 1,335 delay days that occurred during the 2020 third quarter. For the 2021 first nine months, the inland operations incurred 7,275 delay days, 16% fewer than the 8,640 delay days that occurred during the 2020 first nine months. Delay days measure the lost time incurred by a tow (towboat and one or more tank barges) during transit when the tow is stopped due to weather, lock conditions, or other navigational factors. Delay days for the 2021 and 2020 first nine months reflected poor operating conditions due to heavy wind and fog along the Gulf Coast, high water conditions on the Mississippi River System, and closures of key waterways as a result of lock maintenance projects during the 2021 and 2020 first quarters. The decrease in delay days in the 2021 first nine months reflects reduced volumes and barge utilization compared to the 2020 first nine months while the increase in delay days in the 2021 third quarter reflects the impacts of Hurricane Ida as well as significant lock closures along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway compared to the 2020 third quarter.
During both the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, approximately 65% of marine transportation’s inland revenues were under term contracts and 35% were spot contract revenues. During the 2020 third quarter and first nine months, approximately 70% and 65%, respectively, of marine transportation’s inland revenues were under term contracts and 30% and 35%, respectively, were spot contract revenues. Inland time charters during the 2021 third quarter and first nine months represented 56% and 58%, respectively, of the inland revenues under term contracts compared with 67% in both the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. During both the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, approximately 80% of the coastal revenues were under term contracts and 20% were spot contract revenues. During both the 2020 third quarter and first nine months, approximately 85% of coastal revenues were under term contracts, and 15% were under spot contract revenues. Coastal time charters represented approximately 85% of coastal revenues under term contracts during both the 2021 third quarter and first nine months compared with approximately 90% during both the 2020 third quarter and first nine months.
Marine Transportation Costs and Expenses
Costs and expenses for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 12% and decreased 4%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. Costs of sales and operating expenses for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 15% and decreased 5%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months, respectively. The decreases during the 2021 first nine months primarily reflect to cost reductions across the segment, including a reduction in towboats during the 2020 last nine months and the 2021 first quarter and a reduction in maintenance expenses during the first half of the year, partially offset by the addition of the Savage fleet in April 2020. The increases during the 2021 third quarter primarily reflect increased fuel costs and maintenance expenses as business activity levels improved.
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The inland marine transportation fleet operated an average of 243 towboats during the 2021 third quarter, of which an average of 30 were chartered, compared with 265 during the 2020 third quarter, of which an average of 36 were chartered. The decrease was primarily due to reduced horsepower requirements as a result of a smaller barge fleet, crewing issues associated with the COVID-19 delta variant, and reduced activity as a result of the impacts of Hurricane Ida. Generally, as demand or anticipated demand increases or decreases, as new tank barges are added to or removed from the fleet, as chartered towboat availability changes, or as weather or water conditions dictate, the Company charters in or releases chartered towboats in an effort to balance horsepower needs with current requirements. The Company has historically used chartered towboats for approximately one-fourth of its horsepower requirements.
During the 2021 third quarter, the inland operations consumed 11.8 million gallons of diesel fuel compared to 10.2 million gallons consumed during the 2020 third quarter. The average price per gallon of diesel fuel consumed during the 2021 third quarter was $2.24 per gallon compared with $1.27 per gallon for the 2020 third quarter. During the 2021 first nine months, the inland operations consumed 34.4 million gallons of diesel fuel compared to 36.3 million gallons consumed during the 2020 first nine months. The average price per gallon of diesel fuel consumed during the 2021 first nine months was $1.99 per gallon compared with $1.47 per gallon for the 2020 first nine months. Fuel escalation and de-escalation clauses on term contracts are designed to rebate fuel costs when prices decline and recover additional fuel costs when fuel prices rise; however, there is generally a 30 to 90 day delay before contracts are adjusted. Spot contracts do not have escalators for fuel.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 11% and 4%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. The increase in the 2021 third quarter was primarily due to higher incentive compensation accruals, medical costs, and professional fees.
Taxes, other than on income, for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 15% and decreased 14%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. The increase during the 2021 third quarter primarily reflected higher property taxes on marine transportation equipment due to a favorable adjustment in the 2020 third quarter and higher waterway use taxes, while the decrease for the first nine months reflected lower property taxes on marine transportation equipment during the first half of the year.
Depreciation and amortization for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months decreased 2% and increased 2%, respectively, compared to the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. The decrease in the 2021 third quarter primarily reflects retirements of marine equipment during the 2020 fourth quarter and the 2021 first nine months while the increase in the first nine months reflects the acquisition of the Savage fleet in April 2020.
Marine Transportation Operating Income and Operating Margin
Marine transportation operating income for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months decreased 48% and 72%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. The 2021 third quarter operating margin was 5.0% compared with 10.1% for the 2020 third quarter. The 2021 first nine months operating margin was 3.8% compared with 12.2% for the 2020 first nine months. The decreases in operating income and operating margin were primarily due to reduced barge utilization in the inland and coastal markets as well as decreased term and spot contract pricing in the inland market, each as a result of a reduction in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced volumes as a result of Hurricane Ida and Winter Storm Uri along with increased maintenance costs during the 2021 third quarter. Operating margins for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months were also impacted by the increased cost of diesel fuel.
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The following table sets forth the Company’s distribution and services segment’s revenues, costs and expenses, operating income (loss), and operating margin (dollars in thousands):
Distribution and services revenues
48
207,877
133,726
55
537,100
449,948
35,002
33,098
104,477
108,295
1,470
1,754
(16
4,620
5,636
(18
5,018
6,283
(20
16,739
22,252
(25
249,367
174,861
662,936
586,131
900
4.2
0.6
2.9
(1.6
Distribution and Services Revenues
The following table shows the markets serviced by the Company’s distribution and services segment, the revenue distribution, and the customers for each market:
Customers
Commercial and Industrial
59%
63%
Inland River Carriers — Dry and Liquid, Offshore Towing — Dry and Liquid, Offshore Oilfield Services — Drilling Rigs & Supply Boats, Harbor Towing, Dredging, Great Lakes Ore Carriers, Pleasure Crafts, On and Off-Highway Transportation, Power Generation, Standby Power Generation, Pumping Stations, Mining
Oil and Gas
41%
37%
Oilfield Services, Oil and Gas Operators and Producers
Distribution and services revenues for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 48% and 18%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months revenues. In the commercial and industrial market, the increase in the 2021 third quarter and first nine months compared to the 2020 third quarter and first nine months was primarily attributable to improved economic activity across the U.S. which resulted in higher business levels in the power generation and on-highway businesses. Increased product sales in Thermo King also contributed favorably to the 2021 third quarter and first nine months results. The marine repair business was down slightly compared to the 2020 third quarter and first nine months due to reduced service activity. The commercial and industrial market 2021 first nine months was impacted by Winter Storm Uri with reduced activity levels at many locations across the Southern U.S. during the first quarter. For the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, the commercial and industrial market contributed 59% and 63%, respectively, of the distribution and services revenues.
Distribution and Services Costs and Expenses
Costs and expenses for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 43% and 13%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. Costs of sales and operating expenses for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 55% and 19%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months, reflecting higher demand in the on-highway and power generation businesses in commercial and industrial markets in the 2021 third quarter. The increase also reflects higher demand for new and overhauled transmissions and related parts and service and increased demand for new pressure pumping equipment in the oil and gas market.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 6% and decreased 4%, respectively, compared to the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. The increase for the 2021 third quarter is primarily due to increased incentive compensation accruals, medical costs, and warranty accruals, while the decrease for the first nine months was primarily due to a bad debt expense charge of $3,339,000 as a result of the bankruptcy of a large oil and gas customer and $1,354,000 of severance expense as a result of workforce reductions each during the 2020 second quarter.
Depreciation and amortization for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months decreased 20% and 25%, respectively, compared to the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. The decrease during the 2021 first nine months was primarily due to lower amortization of intangible assets other than goodwill, which were impaired during the 2020 first quarter. The decrease during the 2021 third quarter also reflected certain equipment and leasehold improvements acquired from Stewart & Stevenson LLC becoming fully depreciated during 2020.
Distribution and Services Operating Income (Loss) and Operating Margin
Operating income for the distribution and services segment for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased 900% and 316%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months. The operating margin for the 2021 third quarter was 4.2% compared with 0.6% for the 2020 third quarter and 2.9% for the 2021 first nine months compared to (1.6)% for the 2020 first nine months. The results reflect increased business levels in both the commercial and industrial and oil and gas markets and a return to profitability, partially offset by higher costs and expenses.
General Corporate Expenses
General corporate expenses for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months increased compared to the 2020 third quarter and first nine months primarily due to costs related to Hurricane Ida.
(Gain) Loss on Disposition of Assets
The Company reported a net gain on disposition of assets of $830,000 for the 2021 third quarter compared with a net loss of $316,000 for the 2020 third quarter. The Company reported a net gain on disposition of assets of $5,082,000 for the 2021 first nine months compared with a net loss of $13,000 for the 2020 first nine months. The net gains and losses were primarily from sales of marine equipment.
Other Income and Expenses
The following table sets forth impairments and other charges, other income, noncontrolling interests, and interest expense (dollars in thousands):
N/A
32
307
101
(11
Impairments and Other Charges
Impairments and other charges in the 2021 third quarter and first nine months includes $340,713,000 before taxes, $275,068,000 after taxes, or $4.58 per share, non-cash charges related to impairment of long-lived assets related to coastal marine transportation equipment and impairment of goodwill in the marine transportation segment. See Note 7, Impairments and Other Charges in the financial statements for additional information.
27
Impairments and other charges in the 2020 first nine months includes $561,274,000 before taxes, $433,341,000 after taxes, or $7.24 per share, non-cash charges related to inventory write-downs, impairment of long-lived assets, including intangible assets and property and equipment, and impairment of goodwill in the distribution and services segment. See Note 7, Impairments and Other Charges in the financial statements for additional information.
Other Income
Other income for the 2021 and 2020 third quarters include income of $1,684,000 and $1,154,000, respectively, and the 2021 and 2020 first nine months include income of $5,992,000 and $4,793,000, respectively, for all components of net benefit costs except the service cost component related to the Company’s defined benefit plans. Other income for the 2021 first nine months also includes interest income from the Company’s 2019 federal income tax refund received in February 2021.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months includes an allocation of the non-cash impairment charge of $844,000.
Interest Expense
The following table sets forth average debt and average interest rate (dollars in thousands):
Average debt
1,238,263
1,609,367
1,328,830
1,583,846
Average interest rate
3.3
3.2
3.1
Interest expense for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months decreased 11% and 14%, respectively, compared with the 2020 third quarter and first nine months, primarily due to a lower average debt outstanding as a result of debt repayments since the 2020 first quarter. There was no capitalized interest excluded from interest expense during the 2021 or 2020 first nine months.
Benefit for Taxes on Income
During the 2020 third quarter and first nine months, pursuant to provisions of the CARES Act, net operating losses generated during 2018 through 2020 were used to offset taxable income generated between 2013 through 2017. Net operating losses carried back to tax years 2013 through 2017 were applied at the higher federal statutory tax rate of 35% compared to the statutory rate of 21% in effect at September 30, 2020. The Company generated an effective tax rate benefit in the 2020 third quarter and first nine months as a result of such carrybacks.
Financial Condition, Capital Resources and Liquidity
Balance Sheets
The following table sets forth the significant components of the balance sheets (dollars in thousands):
Assets:
Current assets
(7
Property and equipment, net
(8
(33
(10
(22
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
Current liabilities
Current assets as of September 30, 2021 decreased 7% compared with December 31, 2020. Trade accounts receivable increased 24% primarily due to increased business activity in both the marine transportation and distribution and services segments, during the 2021 third quarter, compared to the 2020 fourth quarter. Other accounts receivable decreased 47%, primarily due to the receipt of a tax refund of $119,493,000, including accrued interest, for the Company’s 2019 federal tax return. Prepaid expenses and other current assets increased 30% primarily due to the increase in the price of diesel fuel and the reclassification of certain coastal marine transportation equipment to held for sale.
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, at September 30, 2021 decreased 5% compared with December 31, 2020. The decrease reflected $157,607,000 of depreciation expense, $131,773,000 of property disposals, including the sale of the Hawaii marine transportation equipment, and retirement of underutilized equipment that was reclassified to held for sale, and $15,430,000 of non-cash impairment charges related to coastal marine transportation equipment held and used during the 2021 first nine months, partially offset by $85,517,000 of capital additions (including an increase in accrued capital expenditures of $13,549,000) and $7,470,000 related to the acquisition of four inland tank barges during the 2021 first nine months, more fully described under Cash Flows and Capital Expenditures below.
Operating lease right-of-use assets as of September 30, 2021 decreased 8% compared to December 31, 2020, primarily due to lease amortization expense and impairment charges, partially offset by new leases acquired during the 2021 first nine months.
Goodwill, as of September 30, 2021 decreased 33% compared with December 31, 2020, due to a goodwill impairment in the marine transportation segment.
Other intangibles, net, as of September 30, 2021 decreased 10% compared with December 31, 2020, primarily due to amortization during the 2021 first nine months.
Other assets as of September 30, 2021 decreased 22% compared with December 31, 2020, primarily due to amortization of drydock expenditures during the 2021 first nine months.
Current liabilities as of September 30, 2021 increased 10% compared with December 31, 2020. Accounts payable increased 12%, primarily due to an increase in accrued capital expenditures. Accrued liabilities increased 2% primarily due to higher accrued property and sales taxes and higher insurance claims, partially offset by the payment of accrued interest. Deferred revenues increased 48%, primarily due to deposits on equipment expected to be shipped in the 2021 fourth quarter and into 2022 in the distribution and services segment.
29
Long-term debt, net – less current portion, as of September 30, 2021 decreased 18% compared with December 31, 2020, primarily reflecting repayments of $250,000,000 and $15,000,000 under the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan, respectively. Net debt discount and deferred issuance costs were $3,807,000 (excluding $1,559,000 attributable to the Revolving Credit Facility included in other assets on the balance sheet) at September 30, 2021 and $6,454,000 at December 31, 2020.
Operating lease liabilities – less current portion, as of September 30, 2021 decreased 7% compared to December 31, 2020, primarily due to lease payments made, partially offset by new leases acquired and liability accretion during the 2021 first nine months.
Other long-term liabilities as of September 30, 2021 decreased 9% compared with December 31, 2020, primarily due to amortization of intangible liabilities and a decrease in pension liabilities.
Total equity as of September 30, 2021 decreased 8% compared with December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to the net loss attributable to Kirby of $257,915,000 and tax withholdings of $2,856,000 on restricted stock and RSU vestings, partially offset by amortization of unearned share-based compensation of $12,793,000, each during the 2021 first nine months.
Long-Term Financing
The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding debt (in thousands):
Long-term debt, including current portion:
The Company has a Credit Agreement with a group of commercial banks, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the administrative agent bank, allowing for an $850,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility and a Term Loan with a maturity date of March 27, 2024. The Term Loan is due on March 27, 2024 and is prepayable, in whole or in part, without penalty. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company repaid $15,000,000 under the Term Loan. During October 2021, the Company repaid $20,000,000 under the Term Loan. Outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility were $5,063,000 and available borrowing capacity was $844,937,000 as of September 30, 2021. Outstanding letters of credit under the $10,000,000 credit line were $1,299,000 and available borrowing capacity was $8,701,000 as of September 30, 2021.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under its debt instruments. For additional information about the Company’s debt instruments, see Note 5, Long-Term Debt, in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures
The Company generated favorable operating cash flows during the 2021 first nine months with net cash provided by operating activities of $280,362,000 compared with $359,763,000 for the 2020 first nine months, a 22% decrease. The decrease was primarily due to decreased revenues and operating income in the marine transportation segment, partially offset by the receipt of a tax refund of $119,493,000, including accrued interest, for the Company’s 2019 federal tax return, increased revenues and operating income in the distribution and services segment, reduced incentive compensation payouts in the 2021 first quarter compared to the 2020 first quarter, and the Savage acquisition in April 2020. Decreases in marine transportation revenues and operating income were driven by reduced barge utilization in the inland and coastal markets during the first half of 2021 and decreased term and spot contract pricing in the inland market, each as a result of a reduction in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 third quarter marine transportation revenues and operating income were also negatively impacted by the impacts of Hurricane Ida. The decrease in cash flows was also partially due to a smaller decrease in inventories in the 2021 first nine months than in the 2020 first nine months. During the 2021 and 2020 first nine months, the Company generated cash of $39,163,000 and $6,538,000, respectively, from proceeds from the disposition of assets, including the sale of the Hawaii marine transportation equipment in the 2021 third quarter, and $629,000 and $353,000, respectively, from proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
For the 2021 first nine months, cash generated was used for capital expenditures of $71,968,000 (net of an increase in accrued capital expenditures of $13,549,000), including $5,151,000 for inland towboat construction and $66,817,000 primarily for upgrading existing marine equipment and marine transportation and distribution and services facilities.
Treasury Stock Purchases
The Company did not purchase any treasury stock during the 2021 first nine months. As of November 5, 2021, the Company had approximately 1,400,000 shares available under its existing repurchase authorization. Historically, treasury stock purchases have been financed through operating cash flows and borrowings under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility. The Company is authorized to purchase its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange and in privately negotiated transactions. When purchasing its common stock, the Company is subject to price, trading volume, and other market considerations. Shares purchased may be used for reissuance upon the exercise of stock options or the granting of other forms of incentive compensation, in future acquisitions for stock, or for other appropriate corporate purposes.
Liquidity
Funds generated from operations are available for acquisitions, capital expenditure projects, common stock repurchases, repayments of borrowings, and for other corporate and operating requirements. In addition to net cash flows provided by operating activities, as of November 5, 2021 the Company also had cash equivalents of $39,277,000, availability of $844,937,000 under its Revolving Credit Facility, and $8,701,000 available under its credit line.
Neither the Company, nor any of its subsidiaries, is obligated on any debt instrument, swap agreement, or any other financial instrument or commercial contract which has a rating trigger, except for the pricing grid on its Credit Agreement.
The Company expects to continue to fund expenditures for acquisitions, capital construction projects, common stock repurchases, repayment of borrowings, and for other operating requirements from a combination of available cash and cash equivalents, funds generated from operating activities, and available financing arrangements.
The Revolving Credit Facility’s commitment is in the amount of $850,000,000 and expires March 27, 2024. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had $844,937,000 available under the Revolving Credit Facility. The 3.29% senior unsecured notes do not mature until February 27, 2023 and require no prepayments. The 4.2% senior unsecured notes do not mature until March 1, 2028 and require no prepayments. The Term Loan is due on March 27, 2024 and is prepayable, in whole or in part, without penalty.
There are numerous factors that may negatively impact the Company’s cash flows in 2021. For a list of significant risks and uncertainties that could impact cash flows, see Note 14, Contingencies and Commitments, in the financial statements, and Item 1A — Risk Factors and Note 14, Contingencies and Commitments, in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Amounts available under the Company’s existing financial arrangements are subject to the Company continuing to meet the covenants of the credit facilities as described in Note 5, Long-Term Debt in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
31
The Company has issued guaranties or obtained standby letters of credit and performance bonds supporting performance by the Company and its subsidiaries of contractual or contingent legal obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business. The aggregate notional value of these instruments is $21,199,000 at September 30, 2021, including $13,847,000 in letters of credit and $7,352,000 in performance bonds. All of these instruments have an expiration date within two years. The Company does not believe demand for payment under these instruments is likely and expects no material cash outlays to occur in connection with these instruments.
All marine transportation term contracts contain fuel escalation clauses, or the customer pays for the fuel. However, there is generally a 30 to 90 day delay before contracts are adjusted depending on the specific contract. In general, the fuel escalation clauses are effective over the long-term in allowing the Company to recover changes in fuel costs due to fuel price changes. However, the short-term effectiveness of the fuel escalation clauses can be affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to, specific terms of the fuel escalation formulas, fuel price volatility, navigating conditions, tow sizes, trip routing, and the location of loading and discharge ports that may result in the Company over or under recovering its fuel costs. Spot contract rates generally reflect current fuel prices at the time the contract is signed but do not have escalators for fuel.
While inflationary pressures have increased in 2021, during the last three years, inflation has had a relatively minor effect on the financial results of the Company. The marine transportation segment has long-term contracts which generally contain cost escalation clauses whereby certain costs, including fuel as noted above, can be passed through to its customers. Spot contract rates include the cost of fuel and are subject to market volatility. In the distribution and services segment, the cost of major components for large manufacturing orders is secured with suppliers at the time a customer order is finalized, which limits exposure to inflation. The repair portion of the distribution and services segment is based on prevailing current market rates.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company is exposed to risk from changes in interest rates on certain of its outstanding debt. The outstanding loan balances under the Company’s bank credit facilities bear interest at variable rates based on prevailing short-term interest rates in the United States and Europe. A 1% increase in variable interest rates would impact the 2021 interest expense by $6,250,000 based on balances outstanding at December 31, 2020, and would change the fair value of the Company’s debt by approximately 3%.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)), as of September 30, 2021, as required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2021, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. During the third quarter of 2021, the Company completed the preparation and implementation of changes to its financial reporting software. There were no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See Note 14, Contingencies and Commitments, of the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited).
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The Company continues to be subject to the risk factors previously disclosed in its “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Item 6. Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
Description of Exhibits
–
Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company with all amendments to date (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014).
Bylaws of the Company, as amended to March 17, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014).
Amendment to Bylaws of Kirby Corporation dated March 18, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 19, 2020).
See Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 hereof for provisions of our Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company with all amendments to date, the Bylaws of the Company, as amended to March 17, 2020, and Amendment to Bylaws of the Company dated March 18, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 19, 2020).
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
33
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ William G. Harvey
William G. Harvey
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: November 8, 2021