Messe Muenchen India has acquired the India International Cargo Show (IICS) from Upstream Business Solutions LLP, bringing the leading cargo and freight event into its expanding logistics trade fair portfolio. The move is expected to strengthen connections across India’s rapidly growing logistics, freight forwarding, cargo handling and supply-chain ecosystem.
The acquisition will bring the India International Cargo Show alongside Messe Muenchen India’s established logistics platforms, including transport logistic India, air cargo India and the upcoming project cargo India. The combined portfolio is designed to connect businesses and professionals across air, sea, rail and road cargo movement, storage, handling and logistics management.
India International Cargo Show Joins Messe Muenchen India Logistics Portfolio
The India International Cargo Show has grown significantly over the past four years, establishing itself as a dedicated business platform for India’s cargo and freight-forwarding industries. The event brings together freight forwarders, airlines, shipping lines, ports, terminals, warehousing companies, cold-chain operators, express logistics providers, cargo-handling businesses and logistics technology companies.
The 2025 edition of India International Cargo Show covered more than 15,000 square metres of exhibition space and featured more than 200 exhibiting brands. The event also attracted over 25,000 trade visitors from more than 80 countries, highlighting its growing importance as an international platform for the cargo and logistics sector.
As part of the acquisition, Messe Muenchen India will work closely with Upstream Business Solutions LLP to develop future editions of IICS. The collaboration is intended to maintain the event’s established industry relationships and focused character while providing exhibitors and visitors with access to Messe München’s wider international network.
IICS Strengthens India’s Logistics Trade Fair Ecosystem
The integration of IICS into Messe Muenchen India’s portfolio creates a broader platform for companies operating throughout the logistics value chain.
The company’s logistics portfolio now includes India International Cargo Show, transport logistic India, air cargo India and project cargo India, with each event maintaining its own sector focus while contributing to a wider ecosystem.
Together, these events cover key areas of the logistics industry, including cargo transportation, freight forwarding, air cargo, project cargo, warehousing, ports, terminals, supply-chain technology and multimodal logistics.
This coordinated approach is expected to create new opportunities for exhibitors, buyers, logistics companies, associations and industry professionals to connect with a wider range of businesses across India and international markets.
India’s Growing Trade Creates New Logistics Opportunities
The acquisition comes at an important time for India’s international trade and logistics infrastructure. Rising merchandise trade is increasing demand for efficient freight transportation, cargo handling, warehousing, ports, multimodal connectivity and supply-chain technology.
According to data released by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 15 April 2026, India’s merchandise exports reached US$441.78 billion in FY 2025–26, while merchandise imports stood at US$774.98 billion. Combined merchandise trade therefore reached approximately US$1.22 trillion.
The growing scale of international trade is creating opportunities for logistics companies to invest in infrastructure, technology and integrated supply-chain solutions. Events such as the India International Cargo Show provide an important marketplace for businesses looking to develop partnerships, showcase technologies and identify new market opportunities.
Messe München Expands International Transport Logistic Network
With the acquisition, the India International Cargo Show will become part of Messe München’s international transport logistic network.
The global network extends beyond Germany and includes transport and logistics events in markets such as China, India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Türkiye and the United States.
For Indian exhibitors and visitors, this international connection could provide greater opportunities to engage with logistics companies, buyers and industry stakeholders across global markets.
Stefan Rummel, CEO of Messe München, said that India is central to the future of global trade and logistics. He highlighted the acquisition as part of the organisation’s long-term commitment to the Indian market and said the combination of IICS’s local reach with the international transport logistic network would create a connected platform for customers and industry partners.
IICS to Retain Its Industry-Focused Character
While the acquisition brings IICS into Messe Muenchen India’s logistics portfolio, the event will retain the industry character and relationships that have contributed to its growth.
Existing exhibitor commitments will continue, while Messe Muenchen India and Upstream Business Solutions will collaborate on the development of the platform.
Mohit Mewani, Founder and CEO of Upstream Business Solutions LLP, said the India International Cargo Show was built around the trust and long-term support of exhibitors, sponsors, associations, speakers and visitors.
According to Mewani, the next phase will focus on protecting those relationships while providing IICS participants with access to the international reach, sector expertise and resources of the Messe München network.
The expanded platform could give exhibitors greater visibility, wider market connections and additional opportunities to participate in logistics events across India and international markets.
India International Cargo Show 2026 to Proceed as Scheduled
Despite the acquisition, the India International Cargo Show 2026 will proceed as scheduled in Mumbai.
The event is set to take place from 2–4 December 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai.
The Mumbai edition will provide an opportunity for freight and logistics businesses to connect with industry professionals, explore new technologies and solutions, develop partnerships and understand emerging trends across the cargo and supply-chain sector.
Dates and further details regarding the India International Cargo Show 2027 will be announced separately.
Messe Muenchen India Strengthens Its B2B Trade Fair Presence
Messe Muenchen India, established in 2007 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Messe München GmbH, is one of India’s leading organisers of B2B trade fairs.
The company manages a portfolio of more than 25 large-scale trade fairs across sectors including electronics and electronic production, construction machinery, environmental technologies, laboratory and analytical technology, pharmaceutical processing and packaging, beverage and food processing, transport and logistics, renewable energy and other industrial sectors.
Its well-known trade fairs include electronica India, productronica India, bauma CONEXPO India, IFAT India, analytica Lab India, drinktec India and The smarter E India.
The addition of India International Cargo Show further expands the company’s presence in the logistics and transportation sector and strengthens its position within India’s business events industry.
A New Phase for India’s Cargo and Logistics Industry
The acquisition of the India International Cargo Show by Messe Muenchen India marks a significant development for India’s trade show and logistics industry.
By combining IICS’s established network within the cargo and freight-forwarding community with Messe München’s international reach, the partnership is positioned to create new opportunities for businesses across the logistics value chain.
The coordinated portfolio of IICS, transport logistic India, air cargo India and project cargo India is expected to provide industry participants with multiple platforms to explore business opportunities, showcase solutions and build connections across different segments of transportation and logistics.
As India’s international trade continues to expand, the demand for advanced cargo infrastructure, multimodal transportation, supply-chain technology and efficient logistics services is also expected to grow. The strengthened Messe Muenchen India logistics portfolio could therefore play an increasingly important role in bringing together businesses and decision-makers shaping the future of India’s logistics sector.
About Messe München
Messe München GmbH is a global trade fair organiser headquartered in Munich, Germany. Through its venues, subsidiaries, affiliated companies and international representatives, the organisation serves customers in more than 130 countries. Its trade fairs, congresses and events provide platforms for business development, knowledge exchange and international networking across multiple industries.
About Messe Muenchen India
Messe Muenchen India was established in 2007 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Messe München GmbH. The company organises major B2B trade fairs across several industrial sectors in India, providing platforms for businesses to showcase innovations, build partnerships and access new markets.
