Lloyd's

An association of underwriters that originated with daily meetings of London Merchants in Edward Lloyd's Coffee House in London. It has a continuous history of marine underwriting since 1601. Lloyd's is also a center of maritime information about the daily movements of merchant ships and marine casualties, as well as being the leading international authority on the specifications of ships' strength of building and cargo capacity. Lloyd's List is a daily publication of shipping movements, and Lloyd's Register of Shipping is an annual publication giving a list of all merchant ships which have been built to the specifications laid down by Lloyd's Register of Shipping and their tonnage, power, and owners. Lloyd's Register of Yachts performs the same functions for yachts of the world.