Acquisition Overview
Messe Muenchen India, a leading Indian organiser of B2B trade fairs and part of the Messe München Group, announced the acquisition of the India International Cargo Show (IICS) from Upstream Business Solutions LLP. The deal integrates IICS into Messe Muenchen India's existing logistics portfolio, which already includes transport logistic India, air cargo India, and the forthcoming project cargo India.
IICS 2025 Performance
The IICS 2025 edition recorded more than 25,000 trade visitors representing over 80 countries, showcased more than 200 exhibiting brands, and occupied in excess of 15,000 square metres of exhibition space. Over the past four years the show has become a focused platform for freight forwarders, airlines, shipping lines, ports, terminals, warehousing, cold‑chain operators, express logistics providers, cargo‑handling companies and logistics technology firms.
Strategic Significance
By adding IICS, Messe Muenchen India creates South Asia’s largest and most comprehensive logistics trade‑fair ecosystem, linking businesses across air, sea, rail and road cargo movement, handling, storage and management. The combined portfolio will continue to operate each event with a distinct sector focus while delivering a coordinated, cross‑sectional platform for the logistics value chain.
Trade Context
According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 15 April 2026, India’s merchandise exports reached US$441.78 billion in FY 2025‑26, imports stood at US$774.98 billion, and total merchandise trade amounted to approximately US$1.22 trillion. This scale of international trade heightens demand on the country’s freight, cargo and supply‑chain infrastructure, reinforcing the relevance of the expanded fair ecosystem.
Global Network
The expanded Indian portfolio will become part of Messe München’s international transport logistic network, which includes flagship events in Munich and additional fairs in China, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Türkiye and the United States.
Upcoming Editions
The Mumbai edition of India International Cargo Show 2026 is scheduled for 2–4 December 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. Details for the 2027 edition will be announced later. Transport logistic India and air cargo India were held in Mumbai in February 2026, while project cargo India is slated to debut in 2027.
Executive Comments
Bhupinder Singh, President IMEA, Messe München and CEO, Messe Muenchen India, stated that incorporating IICS allows the group to serve the market through a series of focused yet complementary platforms, enabling exhibitors, visitors, associations and industry partners to engage with a broader part of the logistics value chain. Stefan Rummel, CEO, Messe München, highlighted India’s central role in global trade and logistics and said the acquisition underscores the group’s long‑term commitment to the market. Mohit Mewani, Founder and CEO of Upstream Business Solutions LLP, emphasized that IICS will retain its industry character and existing exhibitor commitments while gaining access to the international reach and resources of the Messe München network.
Disclaimer
The press release is distributed under an arrangement with PRNewswire; PTI assumes no editorial responsibility for its content.