Lloyd's Register

Lloyd's Register, formerly Lloyd's Register of Shipping, was formed by Lloyd's underwriters in 1760 to examine merchant ships and ‘classify’ them according to their condition. The first Register of Ships was printed in 1764 and is still produced annually as Lloyd's Register of Ships, which contains details of over 90,000 ships. Lloyd's Register of Yachts (1878–1980) was succeeded by Lloyd's Register of Classed Yachts. This ceased publication in 1996 but there have been three special editions since then. The Lloyd's Register Group, of which Lloyd's Register is a part, is an independent risk management organization whose business still principally involves the classification of ships, which sets standards of quality and reliability during their design, construction, and operation. A ship's hull and machinery must conform to the standards required by its rules, and are inspected to help ensure they comply. It also carries out statutory inspections in line with international shipping conventions and codes. Much of its marine business concerns tankers and bulk carriers, but the group is also a world leader in some of the most technologically advanced vessels, including cruise ships, ro-ro ships, and naval vessels.