According to themachinemaker.com, Messe Muenchen India has acquired the India International Cargo Show (IICS) from Upstream Business Solutions LLP, integrating the established cargo and freight platform into its growing logistics trade-fair network.
Strategic Integration of Specialized Logistics Events
The acquisition brings together four complementary exhibitions: India International Cargo Show, transport logistic India, air cargo India, and the forthcoming project cargo India. Each event retains its sector-specific focus while operating within a coordinated portfolio designed to connect businesses across air, sea, rail, and road transportation segments. The 2025 edition of IICS attracted 25,000 trade visitors from over 80 countries and featured more than 200 exhibiting brands across 15,000 square metres of exhibition space.
The combined portfolio is intended to strengthen engagement across the full logistics value chain — from freight forwarders and airlines to ports, terminals, warehousing and cold-chain operators, express logistics providers, cargo-handling companies, and logistics technology businesses. Transport logistic India and air cargo India were held in Mumbai in February 2026, while project cargo India is scheduled to debut in 2027.
Messe Muenchen India, founded in 2007 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Messe München GmbH, manages a portfolio of more than 25 large-scale B2B trade fairs across industries including electronics, construction machinery, environmental technologies, pharmaceutical processing, beverage and dairy, and renewable energy.
Economic Context and Market Commitment
The acquisition aligns with India’s expanding international trade, which placed increasing demands on freight, cargo, and supply-chain infrastructure. Data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on April 15, 2026, showed India’s merchandise exports reached US$441.78 billion in FY2025-26, while imports stood at US$774.98 billion, taking combined merchandise trade to approximately US$1.22 trillion.
Bhupinder Singh, President IMEA, Messe München and CEO, Messe Muenchen India, said IICS has developed strong relationships across India’s cargo and freight-forwarding industry. He added that integrating the event would allow exhibitors, visitors, associations and industry partners to engage with a wider section of the logistics value chain through coordinated but complementary platforms.
Stefan Rummel, CEO, Messe München, emphasized India’s centrality to global trade and logistics, stating the acquisition demonstrates the group’s long-term commitment to the market. He noted that combining IICS’s local reach in freight forwarding and multimodal cargo with the international transport logistic network would create a connected platform for customers, partners and the wider logistics industry.
Operational Continuity and Future Plans
Mohit Mewani, Founder and CEO, Upstream Business Solutions LLP, confirmed that IICS would retain its established industry character, exhibitor commitments and relationships while gaining access to the international reach and resources of the Messe München network. The 2026 edition of India International Cargo Show will be held as scheduled from December 2 to 4, 2026, at Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai.
The expanded Indian portfolio forms part of Messe München’s international transport logistic network, which includes events across China, India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Türkiye and the United States — in addition to the flagship event in Munich. This geographic footprint underscores the company’s strategic investment in emerging logistics hubs beyond traditional Western markets.
Source: themachinemaker.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
