Could electric-drive ships go as fast astern as ahead?

Is there truth to the claim that electric-drive ships could go as fast backwards as forwards?

Theoretically for some machinery arrangements, but wear, hull form and handling make the practical claim doubtful.

Equal forward and reverse speed is a theoretical possibility for a suitably arranged propulsion system. Whether it produces a usable ship capability remains doubtful. Running the machinery at full power astern can impose extra wear, and the gearing and engine arrangement must support it. Hull shape and manoeuvring add limits beyond the propulsion machinery itself. An emergency attempt would therefore be a different proposition from routinely operating at that speed.