In 1979, European Ferries entered the property industry in a joint venture for property development in Denver, it expanded this in Atlanta and in 1980 began buying further land in Houston. It had acquired around 5000 acre of land.

In May 1984, European Ferries Limited transferred its assets to European Ferries Group plc and in January 1985 European Ferries made a further acquisition, when P&O decided to divest its ferry business and sold