Australia Timeline

LR appoints its first surveyors in Melbourne and Sydney.

By the end of the 1870s, LR has surveyors based in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney.

The Australian ship registers are brought into the new Universal Register of Shipping.

LR surveyors witness the testing of the steel plates and bars destined for the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

At time of construction, the LR classed yacht Aussie Rules is the largest aluminum and composite yacht in the world.

LR and the Royal Australian Navy, working together since 1989, have eight RAN vessels entered into LR class by 2000.

LR certifies the world’s first unmanned buoy capable of controlling an entire subsea gas field off Western Australia.

Classed by LR, the 63m Sydney Harbour cruise vessel, Captain Cook 3, is launched.

Built at home and abroad to LR naval classification rules, HMAS Canberra becomes the flagship of the Royal Australian Navy.

Prelude, the world’s largest ever floating structure, is built and delivered to LR class in Australia’s western waters.

LR awards its first additive manufacturing facility qualification certificate to a facility in Adelaide.

LR dispatches UK surveyors to Australia to assist with shipyards and the building of vital merchant vessels.

The LR classed River Glenelg is delivered in March 1944 at the Whyalla shipyard.

The Australian and New Zealand Committee is formed, with representatives from shipping, ship and engine builders and insurance companies.

The LR classed Aurora Australis is launched at Carrington Slipways, Newcastle, New South Wales.

LR-classed Collaroy, the final Freshwater-Class ferry enters service

Clutha Capricorn, the largest ship ever built in Australia in its time is delivered.

LR opens its Naval Liaison Office in Sydney to enhance its focused naval client support.

The icebreaker Nuyina is built and delivered to LR class to continue Australia’s work in the polar regions.

Lloyd’s Register celebrates its founding in Australia 150 years ago.

Spirit of Tasmania V, to be built and launched in 2024, to LR class

1872

LR appoints its first surveyors in Melbourne and Sydney, having first advertised in the local press on 25 May 1871.

David MacLeod and Robert F. Pockley are appointed the first surveyors in Melbourne and Sydney respectively. William Begg (pictured here, seated) is appointed to Port Adelaide in 1874.

In less than ten years, two surveyors have grown to a team of eight across Australia and New Zealand.

The LR classed River Glenelg is delivered in March 1944 at the Whyalla

LR goes on to oversee several firsts and notable vessels here until the yard’s closure in 1978.

1950

LR begins to create its network of national committees consisting of representatives from shipping, ship and engine building and insurance companies.

The role of committee members is to ensure that local industry interests are taken into consideration in developing LR policies and services.

A combined Australian and New Zealand Committee is formed in 1950, becoming two separate committees in 1956.

1962

Australia’s first and largest oil tanker, P.J. Adams (owned by Ampol), is built to LR class at the now defunct Whyalla shipyard in South Australia. It features innovative welded construction techniques rather than the traditional riveting processes of the time.

1972

Ore carrier Clutha Capricorn, the largest ship ever built in Australia in its time, is delivered. It is built to LR class and constructed under survey at the Whyalla shipyard.

Powered by steam turbine, the single screw ship measures in at 48,947gt, 85,129dwt, with a length of 255.4m and a beam of 32.4m.

1989

The LR classed Aurora Australis is launched at Carrington Slipways, Newcastle, New South Wales.

Lovingly known as “Orange Roughy”, this ice breaker forms a vital lifeline to Australia’s southern research stations deep into the polar region.

1990

Classed by LR, the 63m Sydney Harbour cruise vessel, Captain Cook 3, is launched.

Owned by Captain Cook Cruises, such vessels are a mainstay around the harbour, enabling passengers to experience the sights of the surrounding waters.

2003

At time of construction, the LR classed yacht Aussie Rules is the largest aluminum and composite yacht in the world. It’s originally built for Australian golfing legend Greg Norman.

LR has classed many Australian yachts – from pleasure vessels and mega yachts to some of Australia’s finest America’s Cup contenders.

Prelude, the world’s largest ever floating structure, is built and delivered to LR class in Australia’s western waters.

Nuyina, the replacement for icebreaker Aurora Australis, is built and delivered to LR class to continue Australia’s work in the polar regions.

2024

The iconic red and white Spirit vessels have been a mainstay for passengers travelling between the mainland and Tasmania. We look forward to the Spirit of Tasmania V being built and launched in 2024, to LR class.