Why did the South Manchurian Railway reduce the importance of Yingkou?

The South Manchurian Railway reduced the importance of Yingkou in the early 20th century by diverting the majority of the region's trade toward the port of Dalian.12

Before the railway's construction, Yingkou served as the primary transshipment point for goods moving between the Liao River and seagoing vessels. However, the new rail line provided a more efficient alternative to traditional river and cart transport, effectively bypassing the older port. Furthermore, Yingkou was geographically disadvantaged as a port because it was frequently icebound for three months of the year and suffered from constant silting, making it a less reliable hub than Dalian. By linking the interior of Manchuria directly to Dalian, the railway marginalized Yingkou's role as the principal outlet for regional trade.21