Abstract: Cable-type welding wire（CWW） boasts a range of advantages, including adjustable welding wire composition,self-rotation of welding arc, controllable arc energy, high deposition efficiency and low energy consumption. It offers a new technological way for welding in shipbuilding, marine infrastructure and energy equipment. Due to the unique stranded structure, CWW shows special arc physical characteristics. It is great significant to understand the arc physical characteristics of CWW welding for optimizing the weld quality and predicting weld morphology. The research and progress of the arc characteristics, metal transfer and the transfer mechanism of arc heat in the process of the CWW welding were reviewed. The influence of the arc rotation force on the arc physical characteristics of the cable-type welding wire were emphatically discussed. Based on these, the future research and development strategies of cable-type welding wire were suggested.