[2] In 1861, the firm was involved in the purchase of the Adelia, a 69-ton tug, which has become known as the first Bland ship; it regularly carried traffic between Gibraltar and Tangier, Morocco in its lifetime.

[1] The Bland Group, having identified lucrative commercial opportunities in the shipping industry, embarked on a rapid expansion in the sector through the latter half of the nineteenth century.

[2] By 1904, Emmanuel Gaggero was in charge of the Bland Group's towing and salvage operations, opting to invest in fast vessels that could outrun competitors to respond to distress calls from third party shipping.

During the early 1900s, the Bland Group continued to expand its fleet, focusing on commercial trade between North Africa, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Further access to the frontier was permitted in 1985; the public availability of this landmass has help shape both the Bland Group and the wider economy of Gibraltar itself more towards the tourism sector.

[1] It originally operated a single Saro Windhover flying boat, providing an aerial link between Gibraltar and Tangiers capable of carrying up to six passengers.

[1] During 2008, it was announced that the Bland Group had sold GB Airways to British budget airline EasyJet; its staff and aircraft were integrated into the operations of its new parent company.

[4][5] Under the Bland Group's direction, several of these entities have been merged or otherwise closely cooperate for mutual benefits; other changes have included lean manufacturing investments and a focus on after-sales services to customers.