Lloyd's Register has published the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, to which all Lloyd's Register classed ships must conform, since 1834. Between 1834 and 1870 the Rules were bound within the Lloyd's Register of Ships. Since 1870 they have been published separately. Today, the Lloyd's Register Rules and Regulations are still recognised as one of the most comprehensive and respected sets of standards in the maritime industry. They are still regularly updated to reflect the advances in technology and changes in regulatory requirements, and still function as a trusted companion to surveyors, shipowners, shipyards and regulatory bodies around the world.

The Lloyd's Register of Shipping records the details of merchant vessels over 100 gross tonnes, which are self-propelled and sea-going, regardless of classification. Before the time, only those vessels classed by Lloyd's Register were listed. Vessels are listed alphabetically by their current name.