World’s First Classification Society Apologises For Its Historic Role In Slave Trade

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Lloyd’s Register, one of the oldest and most respected British maritime services companies in the world, has apologised for its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

The apology was made after a 2022 investigation revealed the company’s involvement in the trade of enslaved Africans during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Founded in 1760, Lloyd’s Register was the first classification society in the world. Its job was to inspect and certify the safety of ships.

However, the recent research commissioned by the company found that many of the ships it inspected were used to transport enslaved Africans across the Atlantic.

The company also helped in the sale and insurance of these ships.

The investigation was carried out by the Wilberforce Institute at the University of Hull, which found that Lloyd’s Register played a key role in supporting a system that enabled the slave trade.

The report also revealed that some members of the company’s early governing committee were directly involved in enslaving or trafficking Africans.

Lloyd’s Register has since apologised for its actions. In a statement, the company said, “We are deeply sorry for this part of our history.”

The company acknowledged that it was important to recognise this painful legacy, not only for the company but also for the descendants of those affected and for society as a whole.

Nick Brown, the CEO of Lloyd’s Register, expressed how deeply the issue affected him and the company.

He told TradeWinds, “Slavery and human trafficking were intrinsically tied to Britain’s economy, and The Registers were part of that system. It is a painful truth, one that deeply affects me and Lloyd’s Register.”

Lloyd’s Register has taken steps to address the past and contribute to the understanding of the slave trade. The company has pledged a £1 million ($1.23 million) grant to support projects that will help educate people about the history of slavery.

The funding will go toward developing archives, scholarships, and public education programs in the Caribbean and West Africa.

The company has also announced plans to work with the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool to increase awareness and understanding of the trade.

The company is also supporting local communities in these regions by helping them carry out their own research on the impact of the slave trade. Lloyd’s Register also plans to partner with the National Archives to create resources for education on slavery.

In 2020, Lloyd’s Insurance Market also issued an apology for its involvement in the trade. Other institutions, like Cambridge University and the Bank of England, have similarly admitted their roles in slavery.

Many advocates argue that reparations are necessary to address the ongoing racial inequalities caused by slavery, while others believe that modern institutions should not be held responsible for historical wrongs.

Some Commonwealth leaders have called on the UK to apologise and provide reparations, with one United Nations judge suggesting that Britain owes more than £18 trillion in reparations.

References: Reuters, TradeWinds

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