Germany's Deutsche Post DHL posted a 17.3 per cent year-on-year third quarter net profit to EUR468 million (US$582 million), drawn on revenues of EUR14 billion, up 4.1 per cent.

The company recorded strong gains in international express and domestic parcel shipments, which were offset by lower earnings in global freight forwarding.

The world's biggest mail and logistics company increased operating profit by 4.8 per cent to EUR677 million in the three months ending September 30.

The Bonn-based company stuck with its full-year operating profit forecast of EUR3.1 billion, up 8.3 per cent over last year's result.

DHL Express was the star performer, with operating profit up 23 per cent to EUR305 million and revenue gaining 7.6 per cent to EUR3.1 billion because international time-definite shipment growth.

Global freight and forwarding revenue rose three per cent, the first increase in nearly two years, to EUR3.8 billion, which the company attributed to "solid" volume and revenue growth in both air and ocean freight.

Ocean freight grew 4.5 per cent in the quarter to 766,000 TEU from 733,000 TEU a year ago, and revenue was 3.4 per cent higher at EUR948 million. Air freight volume climbed 4.8 per cent to 1.03 million tonnes, and revenue was up 7.5 per cent at EUR1.3 billion.

Global forwarding and freight operating profit slumped 43 per cent to EUR72 million because of pressure on margins and the high cost of the division's new IT system and operational changes.

Competition in freight and forwarding has intensified, CEO Frank Appel said, resulting in "continual pressure on rates and margins".

The restructuring of the division will have a negative impact on earnings next year, but "we should start to see the first benefits in 2016," said Mr Appel.