NEW YORK (Bloomberg) - The rate to transport oil from the Caribbean on Aframax ships was little changed after rising 16 percent yesterday on higher demand.

The average rate derived by Bloomberg to transport oil in the Caribbean was unchanged at Worldscale 152.5, equal to about $16,700 a day, after expenses such as fuel and port fees.

Houston-based broker Lone Star, RS Platou reported WS 153 and Poten & Partners in New York reported WS 152.5 yesterday.

Rates touched a six-month high of WS 190 on November 5 to November 7 and fell 31 percent through November 26 because the number of ships in the region exceeded demand.

Valero Energy Corp. contracted an Aframax to transit between Covenas, Colombia, and the US Gulf Coast, Lone Star said in its daily listing. Royal Dutch Shell hired a vessel to move between the east coast of Mexico and the Gulf Coast, and Citgo Petroleum Corp. contracted a ship to move between the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast.

The Caribbean is the world's third-largest Aframax-tanker market, after the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia. An Aframax is the most common tanker used to move oil in the region.

Euronav NV's Fidelity reached its Aruba destination on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg data. Zachello Group's Monitron reached Puerto Miranda, Venezuela, on Tuesday. Novoship's Moscow River reached its La Salina, Mexico, destination on November 27.

Dr. Peters GmbH & Co. KG's Koa Spirit reached its St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles, destination on Tuesday. India's Desh Bhakt is scheduled to reach Houston on December 2, according to Bloomberg data.

Worldscale points are a percentage of a nominal rate, or flat rate, for a specific route. Flat rates, quoted in US dollars a ton, are revised annually by the Worldscale Association in London to reflect changing costs, tariffs and fees.