Maersk Line, one of the largest container shipping companies in the world, will also streamline its structure by reducing the number of regional units from 14 to 11, the group said.
"Maersk Line has a strong ambition to reinforce its leading position in the market and to return to long-term profitability," chief executive Eivind Kolding said.
Maersk Line has a fleet of more than 500 container vessels and more than 1.9 million containers.
The company will reduce its work force of 25,000 by 2,000-3,000 employees as part of the restructuring program, which is expected to be completed by April.