Opinion ID: 548383
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Shipowner's Base Operations.

Text: 107 A Liberian corporation, Barwa, Inc., owns the M/S BARWA. This corporation is wholly owned by Norwegians. The vessel itself, operates worldwide. 108 The above analysis indicates that there are substantial contacts with the Philippines which favor an application of the law of the Philippines rather than the law of the United States. The fact that foreign law is applicable gives further weight to the conclusion that the Philippines is the most convenient forum. See Gonzales, 832 F.2d at 881. 109 4. The Avoidance of Unnecessary Problems and Conflicts of Law 110 Because the court has determined that Philippine law applies to this action, problems in conflicts of law can be avoided if this case is tried in the Philippines. 111 5. The Unfairness of Burdening Citizens in an Unrelated Forum with Jury Duty 112 The facts in this case demonstrate that beside the occurrence of the tort on a vessel temporarily located in New Orleans, the United States has no interest or contact with this dispute. It would, therefore, be unfair to require United States citizens to sit as jurors in a case where the United States has so little interest.