Lloyd’s Register Apologizes for Role in Slave Trade and Commits to Reconciliation Efforts

British maritime services firm Lloyd’s Register issued an apology on Wednesday for its involvement in the enslavement of Africans during the 18th and 19th centuries. Research commissioned in 2022 revealed that the firm, founded in 1760, provided information about the seaworthiness of ships used to transport Africans across the Atlantic, aiding in the facilitation of the ships’ sales and insurance. Some members of its governing committee were directly involved in the enslavement or trafficking of Africans during that era, further implicating the company in the slave economy.

LR acknowledged its role in supporting a maritime system that enabled the slave economy from its founding until the UK’s Slavery Abolition Act in 1833. The firm expressed deep regret for this part of its history and announced two immediate steps in response. This includes a 1 million pound donation to a slavery archive project and a proposed partnership with Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum. LR is among several British institutions, such as top universities, the Bank of England, and brewery Greene King, that have recognized their ties to slavery.

The apology from LR comes amidst a growing movement for reparations and accountability for historical injustices. Advocates for reparations argue that the legacy of slavery has led to persistent racial inequalities, while opponents contend that present-day entities should not be held responsible for past wrongs. The acknowledgment of historical ties to slavery reflects a broader trend of institutions reckoning with their past and taking steps towards reconciliation.

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