A PTB system includes a vessel (barge) having propulsion and maneuvering gears (shaft & propeller) without an engine or power source. The PTB system further includes a tug having a generator and a fuel source that powers the generator for supplying a power pack to power the propulsion and maneuvering gears onboard the barge. The propulsion and maneuvering gears may be remotely controlled and the vessel will be powered by the tug's power pack, and not from a generator (or other power source) onboard the vessel. The tug will be connected at the bow of the vessel rather than at the aft of the vessel (like in a traditional ATB system), wherein the vessel's entire propulsion power comes from the tug's onboard power pack. The vessel will push the smaller tug, which supplies all its propulsion power to the vessel.