Craltech deliver real time control to shipping fleet

Case Study: Bridge Control System Upgrade and simplification with 4KColibrí KVM

Onboard vessel bridges traditionally rely on multiple displays of various sizes for navigation, monitoring, and control. In this case, the vessel’s bridge was equipped with seven older displays of various sizes handling different control and monitoring tasks.

Over time, this setup led to:

- Increased complexity for operators, who had to switch focus between multiple screens.
- Limited visibility and ergonomics, as information was spread across displays of different sizes.
- Higher maintenance demands, with aging monitors of different brands and resolutions.

The ship owner required a modern, streamlined and highly reliable visualisation solution that would simplify operations while reducing hardware footprint and power consumption.

At the heart of this transformation is the deployment of 4K Colibrí Mini Quad-Split KVM, a professional compact video processor with KVM functionalities, tailored to meet the dynamic demands of modern seafaring.

Project Objective

To design and implement a unified control bridge that simplifies access to critical shipboard systems—ranging from radar and sonar to navigation and CCTV—while ensuring an intuitive operator experience. The ultimate goal: maximize situational awareness and minimise cognitive load for crew members navigating complex and often hazardous marine environments, while reducing hardware footprint and power consumption.

The 4K Colibrí Quad-Split KVM allows operators to:

- Display up to four independent Full HD sources on a single UHD screen.

- Switch seamlessly between Full Screen or Quad-mode layouts and different inputs.

- Control all sources via KVM functionality, reducing the number of keyboards and mice on the console.

- Operate an unlimited cascade capability, 1 set of mouse and keyboard can surf through all your 4K Colibri units connected on the cascade.

- Benefit from low-latency and high-quality image processing, ensuring real-time decision-making.

This solution not only optimised space on the bridge but also enhanced safety and efficiency by presenting operators with all essential information on fewer, larger, and sharper displays.

Why This Matters

The modernisation project delivered significant improvements:

- Ergonomics: Operators now enjoy a simplified visual environment with two large UHD monitors instead of seven mismatched screens.
- Efficiency: Quick access to multiple sources through the Colibrí KVM system reduces operator workload.
- Reliability: All our professional-grade Video Processors provide robust and durable performance for demanding marine conditions.
- Future-proofing: The new setup is scalable, allowing easy integration of additional video sources as needed with the unlimited cascade capability of 4K Colibri.

This case demonstrates how our 4K Colibrí Quad-Split KVM solution provides a compact, reliable, and operator-friendly bridge control upgrade, helping ship operators improve safety, efficiency, and overall vessel management.

From Chaos to Control: One-Touch Operation

The intuitive surfing KVM control interface with unlimited cascade capabilities and SNMP and Stream Deck compatibility, puts the full command suite at the crew’s fingertips. Operators can switch layouts, focus on specific feeds, or access emergency protocols with a single button press—no technical expertise required.

Looking Ahead

As marine vessels continue to evolve into floating data centres, solutions like 4KColibri, ScreenBridge KVM, Bridge4U, Core and OCTO are proving essential for future-ready maritime infrastructure. With full customisation capabilities and real-time control, Craltech positions itself as a leader in integrated bridge systems for both fishing fleets and commercial shipping.