CLEVELAND (AP): Ports along the Great Lakes are booming this year.

The American Great Lakes Ports Association says cargo volumes haven't been this high since 2006 and are bouncing back to pre-recession levels.

The amount of international freight coming through the Port of Cleveland is up close to 20 percent over last year.

A port official tells The Plain Dealer in Cleveland that increasing steel imports are a sign of more manufacturing.

The Great Lakes Ports Association says even smaller ports in New York and Pennsylvania are up quite a bit.

Saint Lawrence Seaway is up five percent overall when compared to last season.