The physical and mechanical properties of sea ice and the failure modes of ice sheets significantly affect the ice loading of offshore structures. This paper first introduces the physical and mechanical characteristics of sea ice, then describes the physical processes of the interaction of ice sheets with offshore structures. Finally, the progress of research on the ice loading of offshore structures is briefly analyzed, including the three main approaches of formula estimation, experimental testing and numerical simulation. By discussing the applicability of formula estimation, the research focus and difficulties of experimental testing, and the development trends of numerical simulation, we find that the model testing of ice loading is an effective method. This paper covers the research trends and problems faced by ice loading on offshore structures, and it can provide certain guiding references for the related research of scholars in the field.