Lloyd’s Register (LR) is a global engineering, technical and business services organisation wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a UK charity dedicated to research and education in science and engineering. Founded in 1760 as a marine classification society, LR now operates across many industry sectors, with over 9,000 employees based in 78 countries.
- 1760
The customers of Edward Lloyd`s coffee house, who were used to doing business in its sociable atmosphere, formed the Register Society. This later became Lloyd`s Register.
- 1764
First Register of Ships published, to inform underwriters and merchants about the condition of vessels they insured or chartered. An important feature has been the classification of the hull and equipment of vessels. Following a survey, Lloyd`s Register assigned to it a `class`, depending on how well it had been built and its current condition. If it was to remain `in class`, the ship had to have regular surveys.
- 1874
Lloyd`s Register of British and Foreign Shipping began to include all British vessels over 100 gross tons in addition to both British and foreign vessels classed by Lloyd`s Register. Details of the engines of steamships were now included.
- 1914
Lloyd`s Register of British and Foreign Shipping changed its name to Lloyd`s Register of Shipping .
- 2001
Lloyd`s Register of Ships now published by Lloyds Register-Fairplay Ltd. The current Register includes details of around 88,000 ships. It is available to subscribers as printed books, on CD-ROM and over the Internet.
