- India’s logistics story is getting bigger, more ambitious and increasingly integrated — and that shift was visible this week at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, where transport logistic India and air cargo India 2026 brought together over 8,100 industry professionals over three days
- The event marked the 11th edition of air cargo India, long regarded as a barometer for the country’s air freight sector. Running alongside it for the first time was transport logistic India, conceived as a broader platform to reflect how freight now moves — across air, sea, rail and road in connected chains rather than isolated silos.
India’s logistics sector is entering a new phase of scale, integration and ambition—an evolution clearly on display this week at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, where transport logistic India 2026 and air cargo India 2026 jointly attracted more than 8,100 industry professionals over three days.
The gathering marked the 11th edition of air cargo India, widely viewed as a benchmark event for the country’s air freight sector. For the first time, the exhibition was held alongside transport logistic India, a broader industry platform designed to reflect the modern reality of freight transport—where cargo increasingly moves across interconnected networks spanning air, sea, rail and road rather than through isolated logistics channels.
Together, the co-located events featured more than 230 exhibiting brands representing 38 countries, supported by a comprehensive conference programme that brought together over 120 speakers. Airlines, ports, freight forwarders, logistics parks, technology providers and policymakers converged at the venue, turning the exhibition floor into a central meeting point for stakeholders across the global supply chain.
Infrastructure and Connectivity at the Forefront
Addressing delegates, Pratap Sarnaik, Honourable Minister of Transport for the Government of Maharashtra, highlighted the state’s ongoing infrastructure transformation and its implications for logistics.
“Maharashtra is seeing a major shift in its logistics landscape through focused investments in infrastructure and connectivity,” he said. “Projects such as Vadhavan Port, Navi Mumbai International Airport, and corridors like the Samruddhi Expressway and Atal Setu will improve efficiency and reduce logistics costs for industry. The state is also working toward more integrated logistics hubs to simplify transport and operations.”
He added that such initiatives are expected to attract new investment while creating employment opportunities, reinforcing Maharashtra’s position as a key industrial and logistics hub within India.
A Sporting Icon for a Performance-Driven Sector
In a move aimed at broadening the sector’s appeal, organisers appointed former international cricketer AB de Villiersas the face of transport logistic India 2026. Known globally for his adaptability and consistency under pressure, de Villiers was chosen to symbolise the agility and execution required in today’s logistics environment.
The partnership reflects organisers’ efforts to position the industry as both performance-driven and globally competitive, aligning the image of India’s logistics sector with the same qualities that underpin elite international sport.
Global Industry Participation
The exhibition floor showcased a wide cross-section of established logistics providers, airlines, manufacturers and technology firms. Among the companies present were Air India Cargo, Amazon Air Cargo, Cathay Cargo, CEVA Logistics, DACHSER, DHL, Emirates SkyCargo, Etihad Cargo, IndiGo CarGo, Maersk, Qatar Airways Cargo, Turkish Cargo and Transport Corporation of India, alongside a range of emerging logistics and technology players.
Logistics Reform and Cost Reduction
From a national policy perspective, Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Additional Secretary to the Government of India, highlighted the country’s progress in reducing logistics costs.
“India’s logistics costs have fallen from around 13–14% of GDP in 2016 to approximately 7.9% today,” he noted. “This reflects sustained reforms and a strong focus on ease of doing business. Logistics remains the backbone of cost-effective manufacturing and seamless first- and last-mile connectivity.”
Jagannathan added that India’s extensive coastline and inland waterways offer natural advantages that the government is seeking to leverage through a modal shift toward more efficient and economical transport solutions. Industry platforms such as transport logistic India, he said, play a critical role in encouraging collaboration, technology adoption and policy alignment.
Industry and Country Showcases
Dedicated pavilions added further depth to the exhibition. The German Pavilion brought together logistics and technology firms with strong export capabilities and international supply chain expertise.
Meanwhile, the All India Transporters’ Welfare Association (AITWA) Pavilion highlighted developments within India’s road freight sector, which remains a vital component of the country’s logistics ecosystem.
Ashok Goyal, National President of AITWA, emphasised the continuing importance of road transport in connecting ports, airports, industrial clusters and consumption centres.
“As trade volumes grow, integration between air cargo, surface transport and warehousing becomes critical,” he said. “When transporters, freight forwarders, airlines and policymakers come together, we move closer to reducing transit times, improving reliability and lowering logistics costs for Indian industry.”
Goyal also announced that the AITWA delegation has committed to developing dedicated driver facilities across five zones in India, offering medical support, safety training and welfare services. The initiative is expected to involve an investment of approximately ₹75 crore over the next three years.
Technology Driving the Next Phase
Digital transformation was a central theme at the Future Tech Pavilion, powered by SmartKargo. Exhibitors showcased artificial intelligence-driven cargo management platforms, automation tools, blockchain-based tracking systems and advanced analytics solutions aimed at improving efficiency across the logistics value chain.
Highlighting the growing intersection between technology and logistics, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT, Electronics & Communications, Industry & Commerce and Legislative Affairs for the Government of Telangana, emphasised the role of data-driven supply chains.
“Technology is reshaping logistics for both pharmaceuticals and manufacturing, where speed, reliability and product integrity are critical,” he said. “Telangana is advancing this vision through a new logistics policy and plans for a large logistics park to support tech-enabled cargo movement anchored in Hyderabad.”
Conference Themes Reflect Industry Dynamics
Running parallel to the exhibition were two complementary conference tracks addressing key challenges and opportunities across the logistics landscape.
The transport logistic India conference focused on the theme “Powering Vision 2030 with Logistics Performance Excellence,” with speakers from major industrial players including Tata Chemicals, Tata Projects and Reliance Industries discussing how logistics efficiency can support India’s manufacturing expansion and export ambitions.
Meanwhile, air cargo India hosted discussions under the theme “Global Air Cargo – Booming but Bumpy,” examining market volatility, capacity constraints and the continued growth of sectors such as pharmaceuticals and e-commerce.
A Platform for Industry Collaboration
Bhupinder Singh, President – IMEA at Messe München and CEO of Messe Muenchen India, said the event’s success lies in bringing together the right mix of industry stakeholders.
“What makes these shows effective is that they put the right decision-makers together—airlines with exporters, infrastructure players with manufacturers, technology firms with logistics operators,” he said. “When people meet in person, conversations are sharper and outcomes move more quickly.”
Looking Ahead
As India continues to invest heavily in infrastructure, digitalisation and export competitiveness, the combined platform of air cargo India and transport logistic India appears well aligned with the sector’s trajectory. The 2026 edition closed with a clear signal that the integrated format will continue, mirroring the increasingly interconnected nature of global freight movement.
Looking ahead, the platform’s global network will expand further in 2027 with transport logistic Africa 2027 and air cargo Africa 2027, scheduled for 2–4 February at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, followed by transport logistic India & Project Cargo 2027 on 25–26 February in Mumbai.
Together, these events aim to deepen industry collaboration across high-growth trade corridors linking Africa and Asia, while strengthening the focus on multimodal logistics and specialised cargo markets.
Key Highlights – transport logistic India & air cargo India 2026
- Integrated Logistics Focus:
The 2026 edition placed strong emphasis on the growing interdependence between air freight, maritime shipping, rail and road transport. The event highlighted how closer coordination across these modes can reduce logistics costs, improve transit efficiency and support India’s ambitions to strengthen its position in global trade. - Co-located Industry Platform:
The inaugural transport logistic India 2026 was held alongside the 11th edition of air cargo India 2026, creating a single platform that brought together stakeholders from across the entire logistics ecosystem—from airlines and ports to freight forwarders, infrastructure developers and technology providers. - Industry Leadership and Policy Dialogue:
The conference programme gathered senior industry executives, government representatives and logistics experts to address key issues shaping the sector. Participation from officials of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways underscored the role of policy in enabling infrastructure development, regulatory reform and smoother trade flows. - Global Exhibition Network:
Backed by the international exhibition portfolio of Messe München, the event connects India’s logistics sector to a wider global network spanning Munich, Africa, Europe and North America. This global linkage strengthens collaboration between markets and promotes cross-border logistics partnerships. - Focus on Emerging Industry Trends:
Discussions throughout the event centred on the future of supply chains, with particular attention to digitalisation, sustainability, automation and security. Industry leaders explored how technology-driven logistics platforms and greener transport solutions will shape the next phase of supply chain development.
Together, the co-located exhibitions signal a significant moment for India’s logistics sector, reflecting the industry’s shift toward integrated, technology-enabled supply chains designed to support faster trade growth and stronger global connectivity.
