Why did maritime trade become more important after the decline of Mongol rule?

Following the decline of the Mongol empire in the 14th century, the security of the Silk Road network diminished significantly. As the Mongol khanates fragmented and imperial authority waned, overland trade routes became increasingly unreliable, plagued by political instability and rising insecurity.123

In response to these challenges, maritime trade assumed greater importance in Eurasian commerce. European powers, seeking to maintain access to Asian goods, began to prioritize the development of direct maritime routes to Asia to bypass the now-unstable overland paths. This shift in trade patterns was a foundational development that helped catalyze the European Age of Discovery.13