Messe Muenchen India acquires IICS
The 2025 edition of IICS drew more than 25,000 trade visitors from over 80 countries, with 200+ exhibiting brands showcasing their capabilities across 15,000 sq m of exhibition space.
(L-R): Bhupinder Singh, Mohit Mewani
Messe Muenchen India, a leading B2B trade fair organiser and part of the Messe Munchen Group, has acquired the India International Cargo Show (IICS) from Upstream Business Solutions LLP.
Following the acquisition, Messe Muenchen India will work with Upstream Business Solutions to develop and shape future editions of IICS.
The 2025 edition of IICS attracted more than 25,000 trade visitors from over 80 countries and featured more than 200 exhibiting brands across more than 15,000 square metres of exhibition space.
Over the past four years, IICS has established itself as a specialised business platform for freight forwarders, airlines, shipping lines, ports, terminals, warehousing and cold-chain operators, express logistics providers, cargo handlers and logistics technology companies.
The acquisition expands Messe Muenchen India’s logistics trade-fair portfolio, bringing IICS alongside transport logistic India, air cargo India and the upcoming project cargo India.
Together, the events are expected to create a broader platform connecting businesses across cargo movement, handling, storage and management by air, sea, rail and road, strengthening India and South Asia’s logistics trade-fair ecosystem.
Bhupinder Singh, President IMEA, Messe München and CEO, Messe Muenchen India, said, “India International Cargo Show has built strong relationships across India’s cargo and freight-forwarding industry. Bringing it into our portfolio allows us to serve the market through a series of focused yet complementary platforms. Exhibitors, visitors, associations and industry partners will be able to engage with a much wider part of the logistics value chain through one coordinated portfolio. At the same time, every event will continue to address the specific business priorities and communities it was created to serve.”
The next phase of IICS comes as India’s growing international trade places increasing pressure on the country’s freight, cargo and supply-chain infrastructure. According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in April 2026, India’s merchandise exports reached $441.78 billion, while imports stood at $774.98 billion in FY 2025–26, taking total merchandise trade to approximately $1.22 trillion.
The expanded Indian portfolio will also become part of Messe Munchen’s global transport logistic network, which includes its flagship Munich event as well as trade fairs in China, India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey and the United States.
Stefan Rummel, CEO, Messe Munchen, said, “India is central to the future of global trade and logistics, and this acquisition underscores our long-term commitment to the market. By combining IICS’s strong local reach in freight forwarding and multimodal cargo with the international transport logistics network, we are building a connected platform that delivers lasting value for customers, partners and the industry.”
transport logistic India and air cargo India were held in Mumbai in February 2026, while project cargo India is set to debut in 2027. Each event will maintain its distinct sector focus while being part of a coordinated portfolio serving a wider segment of the logistics industry.
IICS will continue to build on the industry identity and relationships that have supported its growth, with Messe Muenchen India and Upstream Business Solutions working together to develop the platform for its next phase.
“The India International Cargo Show has been built on the trust and long-term support of its exhibitors, sponsors, associations, speakers and visitors. As IICS enters its next phase with Messe Muenchen India, protecting that trust and building on what the industry has helped create will remain the foremost priority. The focused character of IICS and existing exhibitor commitments will continue. Participants will also gain access to the international reach, sector expertise and resources of the Messe Munchen network. This creates a strong path forward for IICS exhibitors, with greater visibility, broader market connections and more opportunities to participate across a growing logistics portfolio in India and internationally,” said Mohit Mewani, Founder and CEO, Upstream Business Solutions LLP.
The Mumbai edition of the India International Cargo Show 2026 will take place as scheduled from December 2–4, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. Details and dates for the 2027 edition will be announced separately.
