US owner Kirby Corporation has agreed its second big acquisition of the month with a $68m deal for tank barges and tugs.

The New York-listed company said an undisclosed competitor will sell nine specialty pressure tank barges, four 30,000-barrel tank barges and three 1,320-hp inland towboats.

The move follows a $710m transaction to buy Stewart & Stevenson (S&S), a manufacturer and supplier for several industries including marine and energy.