Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) CEO Kang Hwan-goo has called on workers to make sacrifices to keep its offshore business running.

Last month it suspended offshore operations after work dried up.

"It may be impossible to maintain the offshore business unless employees make sacrifices and concessions," Kang said in a written statement cited by the Yonhap news agency.

The company is looking for voluntary retirements and wants to start unpaid leave for idle staff.