Abstract: The addition of Cu in steel can significantly improve the strength, corrosion resistance and fatigue crack growth resistance of the steel, while it has excellent low-temperature toughness and welding performance. At present, the research and development of low-carbon Cu-bearing marine engineering steel in China is lagging behind. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effect of the interaction between Cu and other elements on the comprehensive mechanical properties of the steel from its composition design. The relevant studies of low-carbon Cu-bearing marine engineering steel were summarized and analyzed. The development process of low-carbon Cu-bearing marine engineering steel was reviewed, the evolution of crystal structure of Cu precipitates, the effects of Cu on the mechanical properties, welding performance and corrosion resistance of the steel and the composition evolution of Cu-rich clusters were introduced. Finally, the future research direction of low-carbon Cu-bearing marine engineering steel was pointed out.